Woodstock native Lee nominated for Tony Award
“I [was] sitting having coffee and then he Facetimed us and said…’I’ve been nominated for a Tony.'”
Lee Kinney’s mother, Gloria Yachyshen, describes the moment she found out her son was nominated for one of entertainment’s most prestigious awards. Kinney is a Woodstock artist who has been living in New York with his wife for several years.
“My eyes just welled up,” Yachyshen recalled.
“It was an incredibly shocking and surprising honour .. to be recognized besides such an incredibly talented group of artists,” said Kinney when asked how it felt to be nominated.
“I have always wanted to work in theatre and to work at the highest level,” continued Kinney, who went on to describe being nominated as a dream come true.
Kinney was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Sound Design for the play “The Fear of 13,” which tells the story of Nick Yarris, a death-row inmate who was exonerated after 22 years in prison.
Kinney’s drama career began at Centennial Elementary School in Woodstock, where he performed as Daddy Warbucks in a production of Annie.
From that point, his passion for theatre only grew over the years, with his defining achievement at this early stage being the formation of a theatre troupe, the Valley Young Company, alongside a few friends.
There, Kinney helped direct and produce several shows, including Tommy and Godspell.
“That’s when they produced Les Misérables, which was a huge undertaking and was instrumental in creating his passion for theatre,” explained Yachyshen.
Following his early successes in local theatre, Kinney went to Saint Thomas University (STU) in Fredericton and, while there, became deeply involved in the performing arts.
“He spent most of his extra time doing theatre,” noted Ilkay Silk, Kinney’s former STU theatre instructor. “I know he loved it.”
“What stood out to me about Lee … was the dedication,” she admitted.
After his time at STU, Kinney attended Ohio University to study directing before moving to New York to pursue a career in theatre.
“Lee thought, if he was going to make a go, this was his opportunity …and we knew that if you really want to make it, you’ve got to make it in the states,” recalled Yachyshen.
Since moving to New York, Kinney has worked on many on- and off-Broadway shows, expanding his achievements.
When asked where he sees his career going next, Kinney humbly responded that he only hopes to continue working alongside people and projects which inspire him.
”I think it’s important that we support our kids… but I also think what this [shows] is that the arts are very important,” concluded Yachyshen. “It doesn’t matter where you live, if you work hard, have this passion, desire, and determination… you can reach your dreams.”
The 79th Annual Tony Awards will take place on Sunday, June 7, at Radio City Music Hall.
