Cape Town – South African director Liesl Tommy has earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Play for the Broadway production Eclipsed.
The play stars Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o and tells the story of five Liberian women and their survival during the second Liberian civil war.
It made Broadway history for being the first play to have an all-female cast, writer and director.
Liesl was born in Cape Town and moved to Boston when she was 15 years old.
Her credits include working on Les Miserables, Ruined, Party People and The Good Negro.
She has won an Obie Award for Direction in 2013 and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director in 2016.
Liesl took to Twitter to express her surprise.
Gobsmacked. So overwhelmed with joy and pride. Is this really happening? #Tonynoms #EclipsedPlay
— Liesl (@LieslTommy) May 3, 2016
Lupita also shared her joy.
Deeply proud of @EclipsedBway's six #TonyAwards nominations! pic.twitter.com/bfhag9JJ5C
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) May 3, 2016
(Source: East Coast Radio )