The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Neal Boyd, onetime ‘America’s Got Talent’ winner, dies
SIKESTON, Mo. — Neal Boyd, an opera singer who won NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and dabbled in Missouri politics, has died.
Scott County Coroner Scott Amick says Boyd died around 6 p.m. Sunday at his mother’s house in Sikeston. He was 42.
Amick says Boyd had a number of medical problems, including heart failure, kidney failure and liver problems. He was seriously injured in a car crash in 2017.
Boyd won the network TV show and its $1 million prize in 2008. He released the album “My American Dream” in 2009, and performed at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.
Boyd also ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for a southeast Missouri House of Representatives seat, losing in the general election in 2012 and in the primary in 2014.
Drama teacher at Parkland school honored at Tony Awards
NEW YORK — A drama teacher recalled all the lessons she learned in the arts as she barricaded students in a closet during the school shooting in Parkland, Fla.
Melody Herzfeld was presented with the 2018 Excellence in Theatre Education Award during the Tony Awards Sunday.
She described how drama teachers create a circle of trust and during the shooting those lessons would be called upon “to set into action, letting the stronger be our collective voice and supporting the rest that needed time.”
She stressed the need for embracing all sides and for honesty.
Herzfeld saved 65 lives on Feb. 14 when police say a former student went on a rampage, killing 17 people.
Ratings for Bruce-fueled Tonys rise slightly
NEW YORK — Ratings were slightly higher for this year’s Tony Awards over last year, likely thanks to a bump supplied by Bruce Springsteen.
The CBS show co-hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles was seen by 6.32 million people, according to preliminary ratings from the Nielsen Co.
That compares with 6.06 million last year when “Dear Evan Hansen” won the best musical trophy, and 8.74 million in 2016 when the show was buoyed by the megahit “Hamilton.”
One of the highlights of this year’s Tonys was Springsteen’s performance of “My Hometown” from his sold-out oneman Broadway show.
The Tony telecast this year didn’t have to compete with any NBA or Stanley Cup games, but did have to fight against the Kardashians squaring off against Kanye West on ABC’s “Celebrity Family Feud.”