Ben Platt will return to the Jimmy Awards to host the 11th annual ceremony, set for June 24 at the Minskoff Theatre. This marks the Tony winner's second time emceeing the awards (known formerly as the National High School Musical Theatre Awards) after taking the stage in 2017.
Presented by the Broadway League and named in honor of producer and theatre owner James M. Nederlander, the ceremony marks the culmination of a record 43 regional competitions from across the U.S. Two winners from each of those programs will be sent to New York City to partake in a week of events, workshops, and master classes before taking the Broadway stage themselves to compete (through a series of medleys and solos) for the titles of Best Performance by an Actor and Actress.
Prior to his Tony-winning performance in Dear Evan Hansen, Platt made his Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon (having already taken the show on the road). The Pitch Perfect alum can soon be seen on the small screen in Ryan Murphy's Netflix comedy The Politician.
In addition to his infectious enthusiasm for the Jimmy Awards, Platt has a special connection to the program. Last year's Best Actor winner, Andrew Barth Feldman, now steps into Evan Hansen's cast, making his Broadway debut in the role originated by Platt months after competing in the Jimmy Awards.
