A Happy Night
Off to the Helen Hayes last night, bruises and all, in a recycled outfit from Drama Proms, one-nighters and cabarets gone by. It was cold and windy and a bit rainy outside and you just had so say “what the heck” and be okay with looking a bit disheveled after going back and forth between the J.W. Marriott and the Warner Theater. I don’t know how John managed to look so dapper at the end of the evening; I think I was fairly schlubby by 1 a.m.
I didn’t write down any notes in case I won. I’ve always done so in the past, but eight nominations have come and gone since I won on my first nom in 1992. There’s something so distressingly pathetic in the way you tuck those hopeful little notes into your tiny beaded handbag and slip them unobtrusively into your hand as your category approaches. Then when you don’t win, you toss your unsaid thank-yous under your seat (where you’re certain someone on the building cleaning staff will find them later and sneer at your pitiful self) or stuff them back in the tiny beaded bag (to be rediscovered a year or more later when you’re going to some other formal event). So, no notes.
In consequence, when Eleasha Gamble opened the envelope and read my name, I had to do some fast thinking (along with the usual quick outfit adjustment) as I walked to the stage. I think I thanked everyone in a general way; I was trying hard to keep my remarks short and succinct. If I forgot you, I apologize and blame the lack o’ notes.
I was particularly thrilled that Assassins director Joe Calarco was honored, and was absolutely through the roof with joy over fellow Assassin Andy Brownstein’s win on his very first nomination (that’s Joe and me with Andy towering over us in the photo above). Will Gartshore’s Leading Actor/Musical award came as no great surprise; it was some of the finest work I’ve seen Will do. And I was tickled to death to see Joe’s sister Renee pick up the MacArthur Award for her terrific play, Short Order Stories.
I drank a touch too much wine last night (just enough to have a headache this morning) and my feet still hurt from standing in heels all night long, but I had a great time and got more than my yearly quota of hugs and kisses. The only thing I missed was the traditional moment at the start of the Awards ceremony when they ask all the nominees to stand and be acknowledged. For some reason, they didn’t do it this year. I made my little fuss about its omission to the ever-patient Linda Levy Grossman (head Hayes honcho) and I hope that moment will be returned to the evening next time. Winner or not, nominated or not, it has always given me a happy glow to see so many wonderful people rise to their feet and receive the applause of their peers.
Donna Migliaccio 
To My Dearest – I’m so very proud of you. Congrats on your achievement.Also, congrats go to Joe, who’s work always impresses me.
Congrats Donna! I was really happy to see your good news this morning! :)Yay!
Go Donna Go!
Congrats Donna on your well deserved win last night. I hope all your friends will go see you in The Musical of Musicals. You were a hoot on press night on Sunday. Next year you may be up there again accepting this award.Again, congrats!
Donna,I am still out of body, but may I add to the congratulations of everyone here for your amazing work.I have very little memory of anything that happened after my name was announced, and I’m mostly happy that a)my fly wasn’t undone and b)I was able to form vowels and consonants.But apparently, I did forget a few things, and one was to extend publicly thanks I’ve given you in private. For what it’s worth, I want to say it again here: Your encouragement and genorosity got me through so many doubts I had going into that unfamilar world.I will always be grateful and am so happy we’ve gotten to be friends.Big hug and congratulations,Andy
Congratulations! Jumping back to last week’s Peeps category, you might enjoy this article: http://www.twincities.com/searchresults/ci_5602293Even the Twin Cities had a Peeps Diorama contest. Again, way to go!–a fan
Congratulations! I saw the article in this morning’s paper. The Bouchoux’s and the rest of the Fan Club send their applause as well.John L (brother)
Hey Donna,Just had to say CONGRATS from LA, and you look great too!Hoping that I will get a chance to see you in something soon – always a treat to read up on you and Eric from time to time!JD3
Hey Donna,Congrats again. Sorry we only caught up at the end of the party when we were both far gone. I’m afraid whatever congrats and thanks I had to offer by that point were more or less unintelligible. But way to go – well deserved.I hope this offers some small consolation for the peeps diorama contest…xoWill
I was very excited to see that you won! You were so great in that show. Here’s hoping we work together again soon!!Jess
Congratulations, Donna! Well-deserved!!! I didn’t get to go to the Hayes’ this year, but I’m with you on the “standing and acknowledging” thing; I’ve only been nominated once, but you’re right; it’s the best feeling in the world to be standing there, before any “wins” matter, and feel like a champ.Also to see the fabulous company you’re in, along with the friendship and camaraderie of all the incredible actors/directors/designers around you whose amazing work you revere, though they might not have been acknowledged by name that particular year! What a great DC Theatre Community we all share (even those of us who have IRS addresses outside of its borders). Yippee! Big hugs, Marni