The Boss Gets A Tony

Walter McBride/WireImage/Getty Images – ‘Springsteen On Broadway’

It’s only about 65 miles from Freehold, N.J., to New York City’s Broadway but for Bruce Springsteen the journey from his hometown to the famed theatre district lasted more than 40 years and resulted in a special Tony Award.

Announced this morning, Freehold’s favorite son will receive a special, non-competitive Tony Award for his autobiographical, one-man-show.  “Springsteen On Broadway” premiered at the 948-seat Walter Kerr Theatre in October 2017 and ticket demand has kept the show at the venue through the end of this year.  Data reported to Pollstar shows “Springsteen On Broadway” grossing on average approximately $2 million per week.

“‘Springsteen on Broadway’ is just a magical matchup of performance, writing and venue,” Springsteen’s manager, Jon Landau, told journalist Roy Trakin for Pollstar. “Once you see it on Broadway, it’s hard to imagine seeing it anywhere else.  None of us who have been involved are at all surprised – it was that good from the first time Bruce rehearsed it.”

Springsteen isn’t the only one receiving a special, non-competitive Tony. John Leguizamo will receive an award for “Latin History For Morons,” which was also nominated for best play.

Springsteen may not be the only musician receiving a little Tony love.  Rolling Stone points out that Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler along with John Legend and T.I. are among the artists recognized for their work on “SpongeBob Squarepants,” a musical that received 12 nominations, tying it with “Mean Girls.”

Hosted by Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban, the 72nd Annual Tony Awards will take place June 10 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.  CBS will air the event live on the East Coast while viewers in Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones will have to settle for a delayed broadcast.