Dreams will become reality tonight for the winners at the 69th annual Tony Awards.
And one of those winners may be a native of Schuylkill County.
Corinna Sowers-Adler, a singer, actress and vocal teacher, is nominated for the inaugural Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The nominees are "dedicated professionals who discover talented students, nurture them, inspire them and set them off on a lifelong journey as theater supporters and professionals," according to the awards' website, www.tonyawards.com. The award will be presented during the live broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. on CBS. Former Tony winners Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming will share co-hosting duties.
"It's pretty amazing. I don't think it sunk in yet," Sowers-Adler said.
Sowers-Adler, an Auburn native, graduated from Schuylkill Haven Area High School in 1995. She has been directing, teaching and providing vocal instruction for 15 years, in addition to performing.
The candidates vying for the education Tony Award had to be nominated. The nominees were then reviewed by a panel of judges from The Broadway League, American Theatre Wing and Carnegie Mellon University.
In the case of Sowers-Adler, she received nominations from two students -one from her current business in New Jersey and one from her "past life" in Pennsylvania.
"It's really something special to be nominated by your students," she said.
After graduating from Wilkes University, Sowers-Adler served as director of theater for Wilkes University Conservatory for 10 years and children's theater director at the Pocono Playhouse and Bucks County Playhouse for four years.
In 2009, Sowers-Adler moved to New Jersey, where she and her husband, Nicholas, started NiCori Studios and Productions in Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. She is also the executive director of Gas Lamp Academy of Performing Arts, Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
Sowers-Adler said she has 35 vocal students, who range in age from 8 to 70 years old. However, her primary work is with teenagers.
Sowers-Adler said she attended the Tony Awards ceremony the past three years through her husband's business connections. Even though this may be her big night, Sowers-Adler was not certain she would be able to attend due to prior engagements. Her newest project with Gas Lamp called "Starting with Me," a cabaret of new musical works, is scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Don't Tell Mama in New York City.
The Tony Awards are held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
"I'm hoping I can run over there. I'm going to try to attend either way," she said.
The final decision will likely be based on whether Sowers-Adler was named a finalist for the award. According to the Excellence of Theatre Award's Facebook page, hundreds of nominations were received and finalists were notified. However, the finalists and winner will not be announced until tonight's broadcast.
If notified she is a finalist, Sowers-Adler said she would attend the Tony Awards and have someone else run the show at Don't Tell Mama. The predicament is indicative of her life, but that's a good thing.
"It's a blessing to be busy," she said.
Despite a full schedule, Sowers-Adler returns to Schuylkill County to visit family and even finds time to perform. In December 2014, she performed at the Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven. It was an interesting night as her family has a deep connection to the building. Sowers-Adler said she had four family members work at the former shoe factory.
"I would love to do another show there," she said.
In addition to her first Tony nomination, Sowers-Adler was nominated for Best Female Vocalist and Best Host of a Variety Show for the monthly series "Music at the Mansion" at the 2012 BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Awards. She was also nominated for Best Vocalist, Female (Non-Celebrity) at the 2014 BroadwayWorld.com New York Cabaret Awards.
For more information and to find out who takes home the Tonys, visit www.tonyawards.com.
To find more information on Sowers-Adler, visit her website at www.corinnasings.com.
