Lamar Richardson Hosts Inaugural Black Broadway Nominee Soirée Ahead of 2026 Tony Awards
On Friday afternoon, the Skylark lounge, towering 30 stories above Times Square, hosted the inaugural Black Broadway Nominee Soirée, organized by Tony-winning producer Lamar Richardson. This event kicked off the weekend for the 2026 Tony Awards and was inspired by his wife, Zaire Julion-Richardson, to unite Black talent in Broadway amidst ongoing diversity issues. Guests included first-time nominees like Deborah Cox and Brandon J. Dirden, along with past winners such as LaChanze and Anika Noni Rose. Angela Bassett and Lena Waithe also attended. The evening featured a cocktail reception and dinner, with Kara Young advising newcomers to bring snacks. After dinner, guests enjoyed dancing, with Bassett channeling Tina Turner during the music. Richardson, the youngest Black producer to win two Tonys in one season, has his show Ragtime leading with 11 nominations.
Key facts
- Lamar Richardson hosted the inaugural Black Broadway Nominee Soirée on Friday afternoon at Skylark lounge in Times Square.
- The event was conceived by Richardson's wife Zaire Julion-Richardson a year ago.
- The soirée featured a cocktail reception with a specialty drink called The Ovation Royale.
- Dinner included braised short ribs and roasted chicken.
- First-time nominee Deborah Cox attended before her 5 p.m. performance of Titanique.
- Brandon J. Dirden is nominated for his role in Waiting for Godot alongside Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.
- Angela Bassett danced to Proud Mary and sang along, channeling Tina Turner.
- Richardson's production of Ragtime leads the 2026 Tony Awards with 11 nominations.
Entities
Artists
- Lamar Richardson
- Zaire Julion-Richardson
- Deborah Cox
- Melissa Haizlip
- Christiani Pitts
- Brandon J. Dirden
- Keanu Reeves
- Alex Winter
- LaChanze
- Anika Noni Rose
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson
- Kenny Leon
- Angela Bassett
- Lena Waithe
- Kara Young
- Nicholas Christopher
- Whitney White
- Andrew Otchere
- Omari Wiles
- Zhailon Levingston
- Arturo Lyons
- Junior LaBeija
- DJ Kiss
- Celine Dion
- Tina Turner
- Joshua Boone
- Kathryn Busby
- Jordan Cooper
- Delaina Dixon
- Trevor Holder
- Tempress Chastity Moore
- Larry Owens
- Christen James
- Octavius Reid
- Bevy Smith
- Eric Emauni
- Christopher Grant
- Lauren Yalango-Grant
- Irene Gandy
Institutions
- Tony Awards
- Broadway
- Skylark lounge
- Vogue
- Booth Theatre
- The Color Purple
- Titanique
- Waiting for Godot
- Joe Turner's Come and Gone
- A Raisin in the Sun
- The Mountaintop
- Appropriate
- Merrily We Roll Along
- Ragtime
- Proof
- The Balusters
- Chess
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball
- Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
- Kilèntàr
- Lunar Bar
Locations
- Times Square
- New York City
- United States
- Montreal
- Canada