Tony nominee Sean Hayes has been chosen to host the 64th annual Tony Awards on June 13.
Hayes, who co-stars in "Promises, Promises" with Kristin Chenoweth, has been at the center of a controversy about gay actors playing straight roles. The contretemps was launched by Ramin Setoodeh’s review of the show in Newsweek magazine.
Hayes received an Emmy award and six Emmy noms, plus other awards, for his portrayal of Jack on long-running sitcom "Will & Grace." He also earned a SAG nomination for portraying Jerry Lewis in made-for-TV movie "Martin & Lewis."
“I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Tony Awards,” Hayes said in a statement. “As the new guy on Broadway, it’s an honor to be included in the established alumni.”
“We couldn’t be more excited about Sean carrying on the tradition of excellent hosts for the Tony Awards,” executive producer Glenn Weiss said in a statement. “Sean’s humor, charm and natural ability on the stage will make an already great show even better.”
Presented by the American Theatre Wing, the 64th annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards ceremony will air live from Radio City Music Hall on CBS from 8-11 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, June 13.
