You look dapper. Congratulations, you've got a toady. Richie
Take me back to that little kid. We all start out somewhere like, oh my god, you find your tribe, you go out on a stage, there's three lights up there, but it's life-changing. And look where you are tonight
I mean, it's not funny. I understand why we're talking about that. I've been very in touch with that person, that kid, lately, because I really feel like I tried as a kid to hide many parts of myself as a means of survival, and I was only able to find success and find my people and find my tribe
When I leaned into who I am and embraced everything about me. And, you know, any actor who works in the theater who says they didn't practice their Tony speech in the shower is a liar. And I've definitely done that
But I will say, to have Leopold Stott engraved on this is the most deeply meaningful thing to me, because this play is beyond anything I ever imagined for myself, truly. Like, really truly
Because not always do we ever get art meets reality, when you get to create something that's going to change the lives of so many people, open the eyes to so many people after they see this, what that means to you
Yeah, and that I, you know, that I connect so personally and viscerally with characters who are so vastly different from me, but with whom I share so many similarities. It's a really beautiful sort of perfect storm of things
Your speech was stunning. Was there anybody you forgot? I mean, I did the speech as planned. And so I wouldn't say that I forgot. But, you know, there are so many other people that I wish I had time to thank. You know, I could go on for five minutes about all of the people who have meant something to me and who have helped me reach this point in my life
But I think I got the meat of it out. Hold it up. I want you to spin it, but tell me what comes to mind when you spin
Gratitude. Gratitude. Man