MSU alumns on Great White Way

Sony Hocklander
Springfield News Leader

Watching tonight's Tony Awards on CBS? Keep an eye out for Kyle Dean Massey, who graduated from Missouri State University's musical theater program in 2004.

The actor performs during the televised ceremony with the cast of "Xanadu," nominated for four Tonys including Best Musical. The 62nd annual Tony Awards, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg at Radio City Music Hall, airs at 7 p.m. on CBS.

Massey joined "Xanadu" in April to make his Broadway debut. He plays several roles during each show, most often Thalia, the muse of comedy. He also is featured as Young Danny during a tap dance number. For the Tonys, he'll perform in the musical number "Don't Walk Away."

He's not the only Bear on Broadway. Two more MSU grads will make their debuts this summer in Tony-nominated musicals.

Greg Roderick, a 1992 grad, plays a sailor, starting June 24, in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific," up for 11 Tonys including Best Musical Revival.

And 2002 grad Antuan Raimone takes his first Broadway bow on July 15 with "In the Heights," nominated for Best Musical and 12 other Tonys.

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