COVID closures aside, April is often a very busy time for Broadway. An influx of shows tend to open ahead of the Tony nomination eligibility deadline, which takes place at the end of the month. April also happens to be when the Olivier Awards take place, seen as the London counterpart to the Tony Awards.
The revival of "Cabaret," starring Eddie Redmayne, took home the most awards, totaling seven statues. And the new show "Life of Pi," based on the best-selling novel, turned film, turned play, followed closely behind, with five awards. "Back to the Future — The Musical," based on the beloved movie, won Best New Musical.
It all went down Sunday night at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and On Stage host Frank DiLella was there. Here are some excerpts from Frank's interviews with some of the winners, and what we might expect to see in New York soon.
FRANK DILELLA, Host, On Stage: So Kathleen Marshall, Olivier Award Winner?
KATHLEEN MARSHALL, Olivier Award for Best Choreography, "Anything Goes":
I can't believe it, Frank. I can't believe it!
FD: "Back to the Future," best new musical at the Olivier Awards. How you feeling?
BOB GALE, Olivier Award for Best New Musical, "Back to the Future — The Musical":
Fantastic! Great Scott!
FD: Exactly. Perfect answer.
CATHERINE ZUBER, Olivier Award for Best Costume Design, "Moulin Rouge! The Musical":
Oh, well I live in Brooklyn. I can say that to you 'cause you know what I'm talking about. I live in Brooklyn Heights and I have a view of, of the Statue of Liberty. So I was, I was just saying, I'm gonna put this in my window. So it's the Olivier award and then the distance we see the Statue of Liberty.
FD: Lots of people, everyone's buzzing about this revival of "Cabaret." I mean you just won the Olivier awards for your performances. How are you feeling?
JESSIE BUCKLEY, Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, "Cabaret":
Just like jellyfish, kind of like I don't even... there's like no words. Just the best feeling in the world.
FD: For New Yorkers who are so intrigued by this production, how would you describe this very special production of "Cabaret"?
EDDIE REDMAYNE, Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, "Cabaret":
Well, you know, I've seen many productions of "Cabaret" and I saw the New York one with Alan Cumming and Emma Stone and I was blown away by it. I've seen many productions and it's an extraordinary show. We wanted to try and do something different because it's been done so well before. And for me, the fact that the evening in the theater starts from the second, you're kind of taken into the underbelly, sort of unusual route into the theater, past a prologue company, hopefully we sort of seduce you into the world of 1920s Berlin and entertain and then make you kind of hold a mirror up to the world a wee bit as well. So hopefully there's a... it feels like a different evening at the theater.
FD: Is New York City the next stop for "Back to the Future"?
COLIN INGRAM, Olivier Award for Best New Musical, "Back to the Future — The Musical":
Yeah, absolutely. It's gonna be in New York, if all goes well next year.
FD: Are you excited?
BOB GALE, Olivier Award for Best New Musical, "Back to the Future — The Musical": Oh God. Yes. I'm bouncing off the walls!
FD: Do you guys wanna bring this over to New York? Do you wanna bring this to Broadway?
JESSIE BUCKLEY, Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, "Cabaret": Yeah. Alright!
FD: Is that a yes?
EDDIE REDMAYNE, Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, "Cabaret":
Never say never! But we both just finished and we both need to go on a holiday. [Laughter]