Josh Groban, Sara Bareilles to host Tony Awards

Press Trust of India  |  Los Angeles 

Pop-singers-turned-Broadway-stars and will host the 2018 Tony Awards.

This will be the first time the duo will host award ceremony held every year to recognise excellence in live Broadway theatre, CBS.com reported.

Bareilles, who starred in the hit show "Waitress" and composed the music and lyrics, earning her first nomination, said it was an honour for her to present the awards that celebrate theatre, a medium "which completely transformed" her life.

"I have never felt more embraced and encouraged by a professional community, and I am so grateful for that. I feel incredibly lucky to get to spend an evening celebrating and applauding this outstanding collective of artistes, friends, collaborators, and creatives.

"It is my great honour to join my friend in hosting the Tonys this year, and use the opportunity to simply say a heartfelt 'thank you' to this wonderful community... In high heels, with jokes," she said in a statement.

Groban, who featured in "Natasha, of 1812," also earning his first nod at the Tony's, said he was excited to be a part of the night and promised to regale the audience with his "best words".

"I am humbled and ecstatic to be co-hosting the Tony Awards this year with such a and wonderful friend, The dedication and inspiration surrounding live theatre gave me my life path as a young kid and the warmth and support of the Broadway community has been the highlight of my career.

"So to be at the helm of a night celebrating the best of that theatre with a person I just laugh way too much with, is beyond words. But I will have words on Tony night! The best words! I look forward to flailing about in front of my peers. It will be with all the love and respect in the world for the room we're lucky enough to be in," the said.

The 72nd annual Tony Awards will be held on June 10 at Music Hall.

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First Published: Thu, April 19 2018. 11:40 IST