Jhett Tolentino: A world class Pinoy in New York

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.” Arthur Schopenhauer

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY – The second Filipino to win a Tony Award (Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre) is an Ilonggo from Iloilo City.

Tony Award recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre.
Presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City, the awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.
Several discretionary non-competitive awards are also given, including a Special Tony Award, the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, and the Isabelle Stevenson Award.
The awards are named after Antoinette Perry, co-founder of the American Theatre Wing.
We had the privilege to briefly meet Jhett Tolentino, a world class theater producer, who was one of the special guests during the recent 117th Philippine Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue.
He was introduced to us by Jojie Jalandoni, past president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) after the parade.

 

TALENTED

 

The very unassuming and talented Filipino-American from the City of Love in the Philippines is the partner of Joan Raffe.
They are co-producers of JOAN JHETT PRODUCTIONS, LLC, a three-time Tony, two-time Drama Desk, two-time Drama League, three-time Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and Off Broadway Alliance Award.
A successful entrepreneur and animal rights advocate, Raffe is a fabulous cook and baker, her brownies are rumored to be the best in the country.
Her life-long passion for theatre has refined her knack in picking quality shows, according to their website.
Tolentino, a 2014 The Outstanding Filipino Americans-New York (TOFA-NY) awardee for Entertainment, grabbed headlines and made history last year when he bagged two trophies as one of the producers of “A Raisin in the Sun” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”
A Raisin in the Sun,” which stars Denzel Washington, and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” respectively won Best Revival of a Play and Best Musical at the 68th Antoinette Perry (Tony) Awards held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 8.

 

PARTNER

 

Theater producer Jhett Tolentino (of JoanJhett Productions) is over the moon as he and his producing partner Joan Raffe are currently among the toasts of the theater world, particularly The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, reported the Filipino Reporter last year.
Here’s the complete report:
And in honor of his latest Tonys, he even named his new puppy, a Morkie, Toni.
Last year, Tolentino bagged his first Tony for producing the comedy play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” which won Best Play.
He and Joan also produced recording albums for various musicals.
Tolentino, who has an accounting degree from his hometown Iloilo City, Philippines, is actually the third Filipino to receive a Tony following Lea Salonga (Best Actress for the musical “Miss Saigon”) and Robert “Bobby” Lopez (Best Original Score for “Avenue Q”).
“Just got home from the Tony Awards bliss,” Tolentino wrote on his Facebook following the ceremony hosted by Hugh Jackman.
“Going through over 100 e-mails, 600 text messages and voicemails, 1,100+ Facebook notifications, likes, friend requests, tags, mentions, comments and private messages. I have never felt so loved by this community, family and friends. My eternal gratitude to the company of ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ and ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ Long live the theater!”

 

BEST DIRECTION

“A Raisin in the Sun” also won Best Direction of a Play for Kenny Leon, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for Sophie Okonedo.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” was also honored with Best Book of a Musical (Robert L. Friedman), Best Direction of a Musical (Darko Tresnjak) and Best Costume Design of a Musical (Linda Cho).
A photo of Tolentino, along with his co-producers and stars of “A Raisin in the Sun,” landed on the pages of The New York Times.
“Made my The New York Times photo debut today,” Tolentino wrote in a Facebook shoutout, adding #pinoy and #pinoypride.
Tolentino and partner Raffe are also responsible for the Broadway comedy play “The Velocity of Autumn,” and the revival play “Macbeth,” as well as the Imelda Marcos-inspired Off Broadway musical “Here Lies Love.”
The JoanJhett team unveiled the “My Life is a Musical” (previews beginning July 29, 2014).
Aside from three Tonys, JoanJhett Productions also has several Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and Off Broadway Alliance awards.
In 2013, Tolentino and Raffe were nominated for a Grammy Best Musical Theater Album as associate producers of the cast album of “Matilda: The Musical.”