2015 Emmy Nominations Recognize Broadway's "Kimmy Schmidt" Stars and More | Playbill

A TRUSTED THEATRE RESOURCE SINCE 1884

Featured Shows

Related Articles

News 2015 Emmy Nominations Recognize Broadway's "Kimmy Schmidt" Stars and More Nominations for the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards, honoring excellence in television, have been announced. The annual awards ceremony will be broadcast live on Fox-TV Sept. 20 from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Andy Samberg will host.

By Robert Viagas

July 16, 2015

Leading the pack once again this year was "Game of Thrones," which got 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.

Here are some of the highlights of the Emmy nominations for theatre fans:

Two-time Tony winner Mark Rylance, former artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London, was nominated as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie for his performance in "Wolf Hall" (based on the same book as the recent Broadway production). Among his competition is Adrien Brody, who incarnated the master vaudeville magician in "Houdini."

Emma Thompson was nominated for Best Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for her performance as Mrs. Lovett in The New York Philharmonic's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" telecast. Overall, "Sweeney Todd" earned three Emmy nominations, Thompson's plus Outstanding Special Class Program and Outstanding Music Direction (Alan Gilbert).

Broadway favorite Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid) was nominated as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as an aspiring Broadway actor in "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." Pinot Noir, Broadway Star! Get to Know the Theatre Folk Behind "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

Photo Special: Stage Stars Are Strong As Hell! Broadway's Best Inhabit the World of Netflix Sensation "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

"Pinot Noir..." — Photo Special: Stage Stars Are Strong As Hell! Broadway's Best Inhabit the World of Netflix Sensation "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

Since its release earlier this month, everyone is abuzz about the new Netflix sitcom "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," starring Ellie Kemper. Even more exciting to theatre fans is that the New York-set show is largely populated by familiar faces from the stage. We introduce their characters and take a look back at some of their stage credits.
42 PHOTOS

Tituss Burgess stars as Titus Andromedon on "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

"Pinot Noir..."

Tituss Burgess starred as Sebastian in the Broadway production of <i>The Little Mermaid</i> — Tituss Burgess starred as Sebastian in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid

Tituss Burgess played Nicely-Nicely in the 2009 Broadway revival of <i>Guys and Dolls</i> — Tituss Burgess played Nicely-Nicely in the 2009 Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls

Carol Rosegg

Carol Kane plays landlady Lillian Kaushtupper

Next Slide

Kane was last seen on Broadway in the recent revival of <i>Harvey</i> — Kane was last seen on Broadway in the recent revival of Harvey

Kane has also appeared onstage in <i>Wicked</i> — Kane has also appeared onstage in Wicked

Jane Krakowski as the wealthy Jacqueline Voorhees

"Later days, buddy..."

With Broadway credits including <I>Starlight Express</i> and <i>Grand Hotel</i>, Krakowski won a Tony for her performance in <i>Nine</i> — With Broadway credits including Starlight Express and Grand Hotel, Krakowski won a Tony for her performance in Nine

In 2008, Krakowski starred with Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson in a City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of <i>Damn Yankees</i> — In 2008, Krakowski starred with Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson in a City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of Damn Yankees

Sara Chase plays Cyndee Pokorny

"It means 'Bean Curd.'"

Chase starred in the Off-Broadway premiere of <i>The Toxic Avenger</i> — Chase starred in the Off-Broadway premiere of The Toxic Avenger

Chase (right) was in the Broadway production of <i>First Date</i> — Chase (right) was in the Broadway production of First Date

Mark Harelik appears as Julian Voorhees, Jacqueline's billionaire husband

Harelik played Sir George Crofts in the 2010 revival of <i>Mrs. Warren's Profession</i> — Harelik played Sir George Crofts in the 2010 revival of Mrs. Warren's Profession

Harelik played Signor Naccarelli in the original production of <i>Light in the Piazza</i> — Harelik played Signor Naccarelli in the original production of Light in the Piazza

Harelik (right) played Ben Weeks in the acclaimed Broadway production of <i>The Normal Heart</i> — Harelik (right) played Ben Weeks in the acclaimed Broadway production of The Normal Heart

Richard Kind makes an appearance as Mr. Lefkovitz, Kimmy's GED teacher.

Kind has starred as Max in <i>The Producers</i> on Broadway and at the Hollywood Bowl — Kind has starred as Max in The Producers on Broadway and at the Hollywood Bowl

Kind earned a Tony nomination for his performance in <i>The Big Knife</i> — Kind earned a Tony nomination for his performance in The Big Knife

James Monroe Iglehart appears as Titus' nemesis Coriolanus Burt

Iglehart won the 2014 Tony for his performance in <i>Aladdin</i> — Iglehart won the 2014 Tony for his performance in Aladdin

Iglehart has also been seen on Broadway in <i>Memphis</i> and <i>Spelling Bee</i> — Iglehart has also been seen on Broadway in Memphis and Spelling Bee

Martin Short appears as Dr. Sydney Grant, Jacqueline's plastic surgeon

Short made his Broadway debut in <i>The Goodbye Girl</i> — Short made his Broadway debut in The Goodbye Girl

Short won a Tony Award for <i>Little Me</i> — Short won a Tony Award for Little Me

Short brought <i>Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me</i> to Broadway in 2006 — Short brought Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me to Broadway in 2006

Christine Ebersole appears as Helene

Among her many Broadway credits, Ebersole won a Tony Award for her performance in <i>Grey Gardens</i> — Among her many Broadway credits, Ebersole won a Tony Award for her performance in Grey Gardens

John McMartin shows up as Grant Beldan

A veteran of over 20 Broadway shows since the early 1960s, McMartin's many credits include Ben in the original cast of <i>Follies</i> — A veteran of over 20 Broadway shows since the early 1960s, McMartin's many credits include Ben in the original cast of Follies

McMartin's most recent Broadway credit was Sen. Richard Russell in <i>All the Way</i> — McMartin's most recent Broadway credit was Sen. Richard Russell in All the Way

Stage favorite John Ellison Conlee shows up as Professor Rick

Conlee''s Broadway work includes <i>1776, The Full Monty</i> and <i>The Constant Wife</i>. He was recently seen in the new musical <i>Murder Ballad</i> — Conlee''s Broadway work includes 1776, The Full Monty and The Constant Wife. He was recently seen in the new musical Murder Ballad

Nic Rouleau, Jefferson Mays and John Cullum make a cameo as the stars of the 1938 musical <i>Daddy's Boy</i> — Nic Rouleau, Jefferson Mays and John Cullum make a cameo as the stars of the 1938 musical Daddy's Boy

Rouleau has starred in the Chicago, Broadway and West End productions of <i>The Book of Mormon</i> — Rouleau has starred in the Chicago, Broadway and West End productions of The Book of Mormon

http://cdn-images.playbill.com/ee_assets/chita/kimmy/wife.jpg

Mays is currently starring in the Tony-winning musical <i>A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder</i> — Mays is currently starring in the Tony-winning musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Cullum is a Broadway legend with credits dating back to the 1950s and two Tony Awards. He was most recently on the Broadway stage in <i>Casa Valentina</i>. — Cullum is a Broadway legend with credits dating back to the 1950s and two Tony Awards. He was most recently on the Broadway stage in Casa Valentina.

Ellie Kemper, who stars in the title role, comes from an improv background and has yet to appear on Broadway. Hopefully we'll see her there soon!

You may also like

Burgess' co-star, Tony winner Jane Krakowski was nominated as Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, also for "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." She's headed back to Broadway this winter as co-star of She Loves Me. Among her competition in that category is Tony nominee Allison Janney of "Mom," who co-starred in 9 to 5; and Anna Chlumsky for"Veep." She recently appeared on Broadway in Living on Love.

The Broadway musical special "Peter Pan Live!" earned three nominations, all in non-performance categories: Outstanding Music Direction (David Chase); Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Special; and and Outstanding Production Design For Variety, Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Programming (Derek McLane--who is nominated twice in this category, also for his work on the Academy Awards broadcast).

The Outstanding Music Direction category is filled with great Broadway pros. In addition to Chase, there are Matthew Sklar and and Christopher Guardino for "Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas," Alan Gilbert for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (Live From Lincoln Center)." Rob Berman and Rob Mathes for "The Kennedy Center Honors," and Stephn Oremus for The Oscars.

Tony winner Alan Cumming, who hosted the 2015 Tony Awards broadcast, was nominated as Best Supporting Actor In A Drama Series for his work on "The Good Wife."

Tony-winning actor and former Old Vic chief Kevin Spacey was nominated as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "House of Cards." He will compete with fellow Tony winner Liev Schrieber ("Ray Donovan") in that category.

Three award-winning Broadway actresses will compete for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Viola Davis ("How to Get Away With Murder"), Claire Danes ("Homeland") and recent Tony nominee for The Heidi Chronicles, Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men").

Two-time Tony winner Lily Tomlin ("Grace and Frankie") will compete with Tony nominee Edie Falco ("Nurse Jackie") for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

The 68th Annual (2014) Tony Awards broadcast itself was nominated for three Emmys: Outstanding Special Class Program; Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special (Glenn Weiss); and Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Special.

Tony Award-winning Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots orchestrator Stephen Oremus was nominated for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on the Academy Awards, while "Frozen" songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez earned two songwriting nominations for "Kiss an Old Man" on "The Comedians" and "Moving Pictures," the opening song to the Academy Awards.

Even Darren Criss, currently on Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, got a nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, for a song he wrote for "Glee."

But beware the wrath of God. Jim Parsons, currently playing the Deity on Broadway in Act of God, was not nominated for his performance in "The Big Bang Theory." God only knows how he will react.

Visit emmys.com for a complete list of nominations and more information.

FOLLOW PLAYBILL NOW

Copyright 1991-2024 © Playbill Inc. All Rights Reserved.