Friday, June 24, 2011

Keeping Up With Casey

North Carolina Theatre artistic director Casey Hushion has been quite busy since she directed Hello, Dolly! for us in May. She recently attended the TONY Awards as a guest of Casey Nicholaw. Sound familiar? Casey Nicholaw won the TONY for Best Director for the hit musical Book of Mormon – and he even gave our Casey quite the shout out from stage. He thanked her (using her full name) during his acceptance speech! She also got to walk the red carpet, and made it on camera several times when they would pan to the seats. Needless to say, everyone in the North Carolina Theatre was so proud of her in that moment!

“What a thrill to be by Casey’s side to watch a dream come true first-hand…it was an inspiring and unforgettable evening in every way,” says Hushion of her night at the TONYs.

While she didn’t work on Book of Mormon, both Caseys have worked together on numerous productions. They met years ago but really reconnected while they were in town for a North Carolina Theatre production – My Fair Lady – in 2003. Nicholaw choreographed and Hushion assisted on the show. A match was made in heaven because ever since they have worked together on lots of projects ranging from The Drowsy Chaperone (LA, Broadway, West End, National Tour), Elf (Broadway), Minsky’s (LA), To Be Or Not To Be (Manhattan Theatre Club) and Anyone Can Whistle (City Center Encores), to name a few.

Nicholaw received TONY nominations for his work on Spamalot and The Drowsy Chaperone, and he was included in the list of North Carolina Theatre alums who have been connected with the Tonys either via a nomination or a winner. Now we can add his name to the ‘winner’ column – congrats, Casey Nicholaw!

Hushion has also been busy directing a new musical, Fat Camp, this summer. Fat Camp is an original musical being developed by the producers of Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages, and is a part of a new series called the Page to Stage Program at Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare. Click here for an article on Fat Camp.

We are so excited for all that Casey Hushion has been doing since we saw her last and can't wait for her to come back to North Carolina Theatre in July during Hairspray.

3 comments:

Hilary Russo said...

Way to go Casey! I heard that shout out and have loved every opportunity working with you at NCT. Which coincidentally goes back to that "My Fair Lady" production with both Caseys, my first NCT show... I was hooked!
You're amazing and deserve all the accolades!
xo -Hilly
http://www.hilaryrusso.com

Judy said...

Yay!!! So cool to see Casey and Casey on the Tonys and to see Bree too! Did you see me waving at you?

Can't wait for Casey H to have a Tony of her own

shaornlew@nc.rr.com said...

Congratulations Casey... we were watching the Tony's when Casey Nicholaw thanked you... I told Howard "that's our own NCT's Casey!!!" I was so pleased to hear you recognized... way to go! You are awesome, and thoroughly deserve the praise!