Fresh off their recent Broadway debuts, singers Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles will now step in as hosts of 2018 Tony Awards. The award ceremony, which annually recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre, will take place on June 10 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The nominations will be revealed on May 1st.
Both Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles grew up as fans of theater but ended up successfully pursuing music careers. They eventually find their way back to the theater, with Groban starring in musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and getting Best Lead Actor in a Musical nomination at the 2017 Tony Awards.
“[To] be at the helm of a night celebrating the best of that theatre with a person I just laugh way too much with is beyond words.” – said Groban in a statement following the announcement of the hosting gig. “But I will have words on Tony night! The best words! I look forward to flailing about in front of my peers. It will be with all the love and respect in the world for the room we’re lucky enough to be in.”
Bareilles made her Broadway debut with Waitress, and also contributed by writing songs for the musical. She picked up a 2017 Tony Awards nomination in the Best Original Score category.
“The Theater has completely transformed my life in every way possible. I have never felt more embraced and encouraged by a professional community, and I am so grateful for that,” – added Bareilles in a release. “I feel incredibly lucky to get to spend an evening celebrating and applauding this outstanding collective of artists, friends, collaborators, and creatives.”
The duo also shared a video announcing the 2018 Tony Awards hosting gig, where they showed off their natural chemistry.
I AM SO HAPPY I COULD CRY BUT ITS MIDNIGHT IN JAPAN SO I WILL SLEEP BUT ‼️‼️‼️‼️????? #TonyAwards2018 pic.twitter.com/NLss47K63t
— josh groban (@joshgroban) April 18, 2018
