Alden Ehrenreich, young Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story, has won a Tony Award at the first time of asking for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Max in Becky Shaw, his Broadway debut performance.
“This art of acting has given me so much,” shared Ehrenreich with Tony statuette in hand. “It has given me a life. It has given me opportunity to be around artists like the people in this room. Most of all, it has shown me that when I am very afraid and things are very hard, there is, in this present moment, right here, right now, a sustaining mystery that is there to catch you, and I am grateful for that, and the magic that it is allowed to happen in my life.”
Directed by Trip Cullman, the Gina Gionfriddo play comes to the Main Stem via Second Stage. The play centers on a blind date as it spirals spectacularly off the rails in this dark comedy. Initially premiering Off-Broadway with Second Stage in 2009, the play was a Pulitzer finalist, alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights and Lynn Nottage’s Ruined, which took the top prize.
The Broadway company stars Emmy nominee Madeline Brewer (You, The Handmaid’s Tale) in the title role of Becky Shaw, with Tony winner Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill,Days of Rage) a Suzanna, Patrick Ball (The Pitt) as Andrew, Ehrenreich (Weapons) as Max, and three-time Tony nominee Linda Emond (Cabaret) as Susan.
The production serves as the Broadway debuts for much of the company. Along with playwright Gionfriddo, the play is the Broadway debut for Brewer, Ball, and Ehrenreich.
Cullman’s creative team includes scenic designer David Zinn, costume designer Kaye Voyce, and lighting designer Stacey Derosier.
Team Jedi News sends our congratulations to Ehrenreich on his first Tony Award.
Image: Heather Gershonowitz
