In Lexington, the night belonged to Kentucky Native Colton Ryan during Sunday's 76th Annual Tony Awards.
The Lexington Brewing Company was packed last night, and everyone was there to support Kentucky native Colton Ryan who was up for a Tony for his performance in New York New York on Broadway.
Ryan was raised in Lexington and graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts, also known as SCAPA. The same school that Abigayle Stokes now attends. She was at last night’s watch party sponsored by the Lexington Theatre Company. Stokes performed alongside Ryan with the Lex and dreams of one day starring on Broadway.
“We have the same choir director, same drama teachers. It feels like anything is really possible.” Stokes beamed, “No matter where you’re from you can still do it!”
After his years at SCAPA, Ryan continued honing his skills at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. When he was a senior, just before graduation, he was cast as the understudy in the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hanson, frequently performed including as the lead Connor Murphy. Ryan went on to play one of the pivotal roles in the film.
Sunday night Ryan led the opening number of the Tony’s for New York New York and cheers erupted at the brewery every time the camera captured him. While he didn’t walk away with the Best Actor Tony, this local crowd could not have been prouder.
