It was so thrilling to learn the names of the African American winners for the 79th Annual Theatre World Awards which recognizes the outstanding debut performances of Broadway and Off-Broadway thespians. This year, Jasmine Amy Rogers, starring as Betty Boop in “BOOP! The Musical,” playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on West 44th Street, will receive this honor. She so rightly deserves it, as her performance is absolutely enchanting. She plays this character with grace and humor, but also with flair, dignity, and conviction. Though she is playing the cartoon character, now in the real world, she gives the character layers and an engaging personality. Her dancing is fabulous and she leads an incredible cast in a way that had everyone cheering.
If you have seen “Purpose” on Broadway, playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre on West 44th Street, then you know why Alana Arenas is receiving a Theatre World Award for her Broadway stage debut — she is exceptional in her role. Her character has many layers and has a lot of depth and truth. She manages to balance the intensity of what her character is going through and still keep her composure, until she can’t and shouldn’t. When you leave the theater, you will definitely remember her performance. There is no doubt she will be in many more shows to come.
The Theatre World Awards are also recognizing theater legend Leslie Uggams with the 12th Annual John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. I grew up seeing the beauty and talents of this phenomenal actress and so many of us did.
The Theatre World Awards ceremony and gala will take place on Monday, June 2, at an invitation-only event at Hard Rock Café Times Square, and will be hosted by Peter Filichia.
Twelve individuals were selected from the 2024-2025 season, the other ten people will be Sarah Snook (“The Picture of Dorian Gray”); Louis McCartney (“Stranger Things: The First Shadow”); Helen J. Shen (“Maybe Happy Ending”); Kit Connor (“Romeo And Juliet”); Marjan Neshat (“English”); Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis (“Sunset Boulevard”); Paul Mescal and Patsy Ferran (“A Streetcar Named Desire”); and Jak Malone (“Operation Mincemeat”).
This has truly been an amazing theatrical season, and these thespians have proven their stupendous talent every time they take the stage.