Hunter Bell

Peter Sargent, dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University, reports that he and the rest of the faculty all “felt so damn proud” when they heard that former student Hunter Bell is nominated for a Tony Award.

The Tony nominations were announced this morning (May 5) in New York.

Bell was nominated for Best Book of a Musical for “[title of show].” He and his co-creator, songwriter Jeff Bowen, also star in the “meta-musical” about two writers and two actresses trying to create a musical. ”It’s witty and inventive,” Sargent says.  Bell and Bowen also won Obie Awards (the off-Broadway award comparable to Broadway’s Tony) for “[title of show],” which closed in October 2008.

Bell has performed here many times at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, at Stages St. Louis and at the Muny. Although he has joked that he’s often cast as the “funny friend,” he’s portrayed leading men too, including a strong performance as the ethically-challenged junior executive in “Promises, Promises” at Stages.

“He’s a good actor and a just a really neat person,” Sargent said. “We’ve got our fingers crossed.”