Tony Awards: Detroit’s Michael R. Jackson wins for ‘A Strange Loop’ – Detroit Free Press
Detroit native Michael R. Jackson won big at Sunday night’s Tony Awards, where he took home the trophy for Best Book of a Musical for his Black, queer musical “A Strange Loop.”
The show also scored the top prize of Best Musical.
In his acceptance speech, the Cass Technical High School alum talked of a low period in his life when he just kept writing because he didn’t know what else to do.
“I didn’t know how to move forward,” he said. “I felt unseen. I felt hurt, I felt misunderstood, and I just wanted to create a little bit of a life raft for myself as a Black, gay man.”
More: Detroit natives come up big with Tony Awards nominations
Among the producers of “A Strange Loop” is actress-singer Jennifer Hudson. The Tony win makes Hudson, who portrayed Aretha Franklin in the biopic “Respect” last year, the youngest person to attain EGOT status, having previously won an Emmy, a Grammy, and an Oscar.
RuPaul, also a producer of “A Strange Loop,” won his first Tony at the ceremony.
Another Cass Tech grad, playwright Dominique Morisseau, was nominated for Best New Play for her “Skeleton Crew,” set in a Detroit auto plant circa 2008. During a pre-filmed montage of the category’s nominated scribes, Morisseau saluted her hometown.
“I hope when audiences see this play, that they are just as moved and inspired by the humanity, the resiliency and the authenticity of Detroiters as much as I am,” she said.
“Skeleton Crew” cast member Phylicia Rashad won Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Faye, a factory worker and union representative.
More:Tony Awards 2022 moments: Jennifer Hudson EGOTs, Billy Crystal sings Yiddish with Samuel L. Jackson
“Just when I thought I had done everything there was to do, along came Faye Davis in ‘Skeleton Crew,’” said Rashad during her acceptance speech.
The 2021-22 theater season found a historic number of Detroiters working on Broadway. The unprecedented Motor City presence in New York’s Theater District was celebrated with a “Detroit night” on Broadway in February, when Detroiters packed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre for a performance of “Skeleton Crew.” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan made a speech before the show and presented playwright Morisseau with a gift.
Related: Detroiters take over a Broadway theater, celebrating the Motor City in New York
More: Broadway shows boast record number of Detroiters, prompting big New York City celebration
“Skeleton Crew” was directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who spent years in Detroit as a young man, and also starred Cass Tech alum Chanté Adams.
Additionally, Morisseau became the first Black, female playwright to have two shows on Broadway in the same season; her “Confederates” opened in March for a limited run.
In attendance at Detroit night was longtime Cass Tech theater educator Marilyn McCormick, who taught generations of Detroiters who have gone on to successful careers in the arts. At the 2016 Tonys, she was honored with the Excellence in Theatre Education Award.
Related: Retired Detroit drama teacher helped launch careers of many Broadway, Hollywood actors
More: Cass Tech teacher honored at Tony Awards
The celebration of the Motor City’s influence on Broadway will continue next month when the Black Theatre Network holds its annual conference in Detroit from July 24-27. McCormick will be among those receiving special honors during the event.