The Critics Table just handed out its awards to local theatre artists, but there’s one Austin actor who’s still in the running for a stage honor, and it’s one of the biggest: a Tony. Since November, David Bologna, the 13-year-old song-and-dance wunderkind whose family relocated to Central Texas from New Orleans following Katrina, has been wowing Broadway audiences as Michael, cross-dressing best bud to the titular hero in Billy Elliot, The Musical, and now he’s nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. As he’s up against adult performers from Hair, 9 to 5: The Musical, Shrek The Musical, and Billy Elliot, he could use all the awards mojo you’ve got. Cross your fingers, light those candles, and say a little prayer to Thespis on behalf of David, and you might throw a little in the direction of Michael McDonald, the New York-based designer who costumed Zach Theatre’s productions of Dirty Blonde, Omnimum Gatherum, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Crowns, and Take Me Out; he’s nominated for Best Costume Design of a Musical for the revival of Hair. The Tonys will be broadcast Sunday, June 7, 7pm, on KEYE, Channel 42. KidsActing, where David studied, will host a Tony-watching party at its new facility, Center Stage, 2826 Real. Friends and classmates can walk their own red carpet, see a video message from Bologna to his kidsActing pals, and cheer him on. Tickets are $30 adults, $15 students, with proceeds to benefit Center Stage. For more information, call 836-5437, or visit www.kidsactingstudio.com.
This article appears in June 5 • 2009.