Iloilo-born theater impresario brings home 2 Tony Awards

Another Filipino-American has made history for bagging not one but two trophies as one of the producers of A Raisin in the Sun (starring Denzel Washington) and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder that respectively won Best Revival of a Play and Best Musical at the 68th Tony Awards held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City last Sunday night.

According to Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent in his flash report, “Theater producer Jhett Tolentino (of JoanJhett Productions) is over the moon as he and his producing partner Joan Raffe are currently among the toasts of the theater world, particularly The American Theater Wing and The Broadway League. And in honor of his latest Tonys, he even named his new puppy (a Morkie) Toni.”

Last year, Jhett bagged his first Tony for the comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike which won Best Play. He and Joan also produced recording albums for various musicals.

Jhett, who has an accounting degree from his hometown, Iloilo City, is actually the third Filipino to receive a Tony following Lea Salonga (Best Actress for the musical Miss Saigon) and Robert “Bobby” Lopez (Best Original Score for Avenue Q).

“Just got home from the Tony Awards bliss,” Jhett wrote on his Facebook in the wee hours following the ceremony hosted by Hugh Jackman. “Going through over 100 e-mails, 600 text messages and voicemails, 1,100+ Facebook notifications, likes, friend requests, tags, mentions, comments and private messages. I have never felt so loved by this community, family and friends. My eternal gratitude to the company of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and A Raisin in the Sun. Long live the theater!”

A Raisin in the Sun also won Best Direction of a Play for Kenny Leon, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for Sophie Okonedo. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was honored with Best Book of a Musical (Robert L. Friedman), Best Direction of a Musical (Darko Tresnjak), and Best Costume Design of a Musical (Linda Cho).

“The following morning, a photo of Jhett, along with his co-producers and stars of A Raisin in the Sun landed in The New York Times,” reported Edmund.

“Made my The New York Times photo debut today,” Jhett wrote in a Facebook shoutout, adding ‘#pinoy’ and ‘#pinoypride.’

“Jhett and Joan are also responsible for the Broadway comedy play The Velocity of Autumn, and the revival play Macbeth, as well as the Imelda Marcos-inspired Off-Broadway musical Here Lies Love. The JoanJhett team is set to unveil the upcoming My Life is a Musical (previews beginning July 29),” added Edmund.

Aside from three Tonys, JoanJhett Productions has also won several awards from Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and Off Broadway Alliance.

Last year, Jhett and Joan were nominated for a Grammy Best Musical Theater Album as associate producers of the cast album of Matilda: The Musical.

No kiss yet at wedding rehearsal

On Saturday afternoon, June 14, when they march down the aisle at the Villa San Miguel Chapel of the Archbishop’s Palace, blushing bride Boots Anson-Roa and gorgeous groom lawyer King Rodrigo will be in perfect step all the way, thanks to their wedding rehearsal (followed by a dinner/”reception”) at the Aristocrat Restaurant the other day.

But you must pardon King if he misses a bit when Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who is officiating at the ceremony, tells him, “You may now kiss the bride!,” because that crucial altar kiss wasn’t included in the rehearsal.

Bride and groom have swapped gifts, a watch for King and a jade set (ring, pendant and earrings) for Boots who will wear a gown specially designed by Eddie Baddeo as gift for her.

Incidentally, King said that the Australian-Canadian man who assaulted Boots has promised to apologize again on camera. “We required him to write all these things down,” added King. “We have it on record, so we have settled the case.”

Mayor Herbert, why did you?

Had not Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista dug up the resting-in-peace issue between him and Kris Aquino when he guested on the ABS-CBN late-night newscast Bandila, Kris would have swept their “work that did not progress” into the dustbin.

Herbert admitted to hosts Karen Davila and Ces Oreña-Drilon that he did love Kris but he love(s) his children more so he opted not to fight for his and Kris’ love. It’s understandable if Kris, or any woman for that matter, would get hurt.

Anyway, a lady producer has this rejoinder: “If Herbert loves his kids, why doesn’t he marry the kids’ mother? His kids should demand that their dad marry their mom in order for them to be one happy family.”

Unfortunately, the lady producer didn’t say which mother Herbert should marry — the first one with whom he has a child or the second one with whom he has two kids?

Quite a dilemma, isn’t it?

Suggested a Funfare follower, “To marry both mothers, Mayor  Herbert should convert to Islam.” 

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