Carnegie Mellon grads make waves — via politics and performance — at Tony Awards

Carnegie Mellon University certainly was recognized — in more ways than one — at the 76th Tony Awards on Sunday.

CMU grad Denée Benton, a previous Tony nominee, made perhaps the night’s biggest waves by taking aim at Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.

During an evening that honors the best of Broadway from the past year, Benton arrived to present the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award to Jason Zembuch Young, a drama teacher from South Plantation High School in Plantation, Fla.

“Hi, I’m Denée Benton, actor and proud CMU alum,” the Broadway actress began, eliciting more than a few acknowledging “woos” from the crowd. “Earlier tonight, CMU and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. And while I am certain that the current Grand Wizard … I’m sorry, excuse me, governor of my home state of Florida will be changing … I am sure that he will changing the name of this following town immediately.

Denée Benton calls Governor Ron DeSantis the "current grand wizard" of Florida at the #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/O2iEfbOvQO

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 12, 2023

The statement drew plenty of praise and condemnation via social media in the hours that followed.

Some lauded Benton for her statement.

“As a proud alumna of Carnegie Mellon University, I stand a bit taller today,” Lenore Riegel wrote. “Denée Benton spoke for all of us at the Tony Awards.”

Others said Benton took the spotlight away from where it rightly belonged.

“I feel bad for the teacher who was receiving the award,” wrote Twitter user Jewels Jones. “It was his time to shine, but instead of focusing on him, she made it about herself and DeSantis. That’s showbiz!”

According to CMU, the award is given to an educator who “has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students, while embodying the highest standards of the profession.”

Behind every great performance is inspiration, and behind that inspiration is a great teacher. Jason Zembuch Young is our Excellence in Theatre Education Award winner. He’s at the #TonyAwards this weekend, and so is CMU! Live coverage Sunday on Instagram.https://t.co/cevVij4oic pic.twitter.com/ZfWeaTJJUs

— Carnegie Mellon University (@CarnegieMellon) June 10, 2023

On the less controversial side, another grad — producer Jamie deRoy (1967) — picked up two Tonys for best play for “Leopoldstadt” and best revival of a musical for “Parade.”

DeRoy also was nominated for best musical for “New York, New York” and best revival of a play for August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.”

Other CMU grads were nominated but didn’t take home a trophy:

• Christian Borle (1995) was nominated for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for his work as Joe/Josephine in “Some Like It Hot.”

• Actress Nikki Crawford (1993) received a nomination for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play for her role as Tedra in “Fat Ham.”

• Actor Josh Groban (2003) was considered for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for his role as Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd. #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/hcBp3QPDtQ

— Sweeney Todd (@SweeneyToddBway) June 12, 2023

“Carnegie Mellon is thrilled to congratulate our alumna who earned Tony Awards this year, and we’re extremely proud of all those who received nominations,” CMU President Farnam Jahanian said in a statement. “CMU is grateful to continue playing a critical role alongside the Broadway community in helping the art and business of theater thrive.”

CMU alumni have won 60 Tonys to date, from onstage performances to behind-the-scenes work.