The first among Baldwin Wallace alumni is a Tony Award nominee

A local alumnus is one of this year's Tony Award nominees.

Colton Ryan, who graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in 2017, is up for an award for his performance as Jimmy Doyle in New York, New York, for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

According to a university blog post published on Friday, his is the first individual nomination for an actor from the university's music theatre department.

“The entire Music Theatre Department is celebrating Colton’s Tony nomination,” music theatre director Victoria Bussert is quoted in the post. “He’s been racking up award nominations this season, including from The Drama League Awards, the Critics Circle and now the Tonys.”

The Lexington, Kentucky-born performer, 27, understudied the lead role in Dear Evan Hansen, a smash hit on Broadway, and also appeared in the show's TV adaptation. According to the university, he also had small and big screen roles in The Girl from Plainville, Little Voice, Uncle Frank, and Poker Face.

“The thing I’m most proud of with it is how much love has shown up in my life,” Ryan said for a Meet the Nominees segment on Thursday in New York. “It’s come from every corner, every era — all of it I’ve needed, and it’s pushed me this whole way. I wouldn’t be here without it.”

Sunday, June 11 at 8 p.m., CBS and Paramount+ will broadcast the 2023 Tony Awards. Along with fellow Baldwin Wallace graduates Mike Cefalo and Veronica Otim, Ryan is anticipated to perform a number in New York, New York.