Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Broadway’s fun-loving, nostalgic musical comedy “Some Like It Hot,” featuring Wright State University graduate K.J. Hippensteel, received 13 Tony Award nominations Tuesday including Best Musical.
“Some Like It Hot,” which opened Dec. 11, is based on Billy Wilder’s classic 1959 film of the same name and features songs by Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray”). The musical takes an updated diversity and gender-embracing approach to the story of two musicians who witness a mob murder. Disguised as women, they seek refuge in the company of an all-female jazz band.
Within the ensemble, Hippensteel portrays Bar Manager/Man with Suitcase and also understudies the lead role of Joe/Josephine portrayed by Christian Borle, who received a Tony nomination for his performance. Hippensteel portrayed Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway and London’s West End. He also appeared in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” understudying the lead role of Daniel Hillard portrayed by Tony nominee Rob McClure.
In addition, Wright State graduate and three-time Tony-winning producer Joey Monda (”Hadestown,” “The Inheritance,” “A Strange Loop”) is among the Tony-nominated producers of “& Juliet,” a pop twist on Shakespeare’s classic tale featuring the music of Grammy-winning hitmaker Max Martin. The show received nine nominations including Best Musical.
Also, the new play “Good Night, Oscar,” the story of actor Oscar Levant produced by West Milton native and Tony winner Jimmy Wilson (“A Strange Loop”), received three nominations including a lead actor nod for Emmy winner Sean Hayes (“Will and Grace”).
