A BAHRAINI international theatre and live entertainment producer has been nominated for the most prestigious award for Broadway productions.
New York City-based Ali Daylami has become the first-ever Bahraini and GCC national to be nominated for the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, most popularly known as the Tony Award, for his production of Maybe Happy Ending.
Speaking to the GDN, he expressed his delight at achieving what is a major milestone for both Bahrain and the region as a whole.
“There is a lot going, I did not expect such a positive reaction from the people of Bahrain and theatre-lovers in general,” said Mr Daylami.
“We have been working hard on all fronts, not just to sell tickets and entertain audiences, but also on our campaign to win what is a very competitive award.
“This has been a very competitive season, and it is the first time since Covid-19 where we can say Broadway is truly back.”
Mr Daylami previously held senior positions at the Bahrain Economic Development Board from 2007 to 2018 before transitioning into the entertainment industry after earning a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University in New York.
His other credits include the West End production Umm Kalthoum and the Golden Era in London, as well as Broadway productions such as Wicked and The Heart of Rock and Roll.
Starring Darren Criss and Helen Shen, Maybe Happy Ending is set inside a one-room flat on the outskirts of Seoul in South Korea in the year 2064, where humans have helper robots that assist in daily tasks.
One such robot named Oliver, a HelperBot 3, has been long retired and considered obsolete. When his fellow HelperBot neighbour Claire, asks to borrow his charger, what starts as an awkward encounter leads to a unique friendship, a surprising adventure, and maybe even love.
It is the offbeat and captivating story of two outcasts near the end of their warranty who discover that even robots can be swept off their feet.
The production has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Orchestrations.
“The awards are just one month away and we are very excited,” said Mr Daylami.
The 78th Tony Awards will be held on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
“The show is getting attention, we are doing very well, and we are also feeling very strong about it.
“Let’s hope for the best, but no matter what, we have achieved something incredible.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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