Tony Nomination: A Father's Fear and a Daughter's Triumph

Susannah Flood has been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her powerful performance in 'Liberation,' a production that recently secured the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This nomination marks a significant moment in Flood's career, echoing her parents' own aspirations when they moved to New York.

Her father, an acting teacher, harbored anxieties about her chosen path, fearing that acting could lead to "controlled humiliation." He witnessed her early passion, from staging Barbie productions of 'Les Misérables' to community theater roles, and later, a dramatic scene from 'The Seagull' that left him concerned about her lack of self-awareness.

Despite his reservations, Flood pursued graduate studies in acting and continued to face numerous rejections, gradually building resilience. A pivotal moment occurred during summer stock when she voiced her fear of being merely 'good' rather than 'great.' Her father reassured her that 'good is all there is.'

Now, years later, Flood's role in 'Liberation' showcases her fearless embodiment of complex emotions onstage. Her father, now in his eighties, watched her debut on Broadway, moved by her performance and her journey. The experience culminated in a shared moment of reflection over soup, with him calling her success 'the best thing I ever did.'