The 2016 Tony nominations are in and there’s plenty of Black Girl Magic on deck!
Eclipsed creator and playwright Danai Gurira snagged her first nomination for Best New Play, while the play’s star Lupita Nyong’o was nominated for Best Actress. The Color Purple star Cynthia Erivo, who earned a nod for Best Actress In A Musical, told the NY Daily News that her face was “stuck in a smile” after hearing the exciting news.
Why Lupita Can’t Live Without Massages, Reveals Other Beauty Secrets
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald was surprisingly not nominated for her performance in the critically acclaimed Shuffle Along. Orange Is The New Black actress Danielle Brooks also earned a nomination for her role in The Color Purple, while talented Eclipsed cast members Pascale Armand, Saycon Sengbloh and director Liesl Tommy each join Lupita and Danai with nominations.
Other notable nominees included Renee Elise Goldsberry for Hamilton, Adrienne Warren for Shuffle Along, and Sophie Okonedo for The Crucible.
Eclipsed earned six nominations in total, while The Color Purple earned a total of four.
The Tony Awards will air June 7 on CBS.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.