Kelly Ripa playfully warned her studio audience to “have no lip” on Monday’s broadcast of LIVE with Kelly and Mark, admitting she had stayed up all night. The co-hosts, Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, were still basking in the glow of the 79th Tony Awards, Broadway’s annual celebration of theatrical excellence.
A Family Affair at the Tonys
This year’s ceremony held special significance for the Consuelos family. Mark Consuelos was involved with the production Fallen Angels, which garnered five Tony nominations and secured a win for Costume Design of a Play. Adding to the family’s pride, their son Joaquin Consuelos was part of the cast of Death of a Salesman, a production that dominated the evening, taking home six awards including Best Revival of a Play.
The proud parents recounted the experience of watching their 23-year-old son accept an award with his fellow cast members and observing his reaction in real-time. The conversation then shifted to the official Tony Awards after-party held at The Carlyle, which Mark described as “chic and elegant.” Ripa, a self-proclaimed devoted fan of Broadway musicals, admitted she was too overwhelmed by the star-studded event to fully appreciate it.
“You’re such an actor, but I’m such a Broadway musical person, that I was too gagged to speak all night long,” Ripa enthused, describing the atmosphere as being surrounded by “all of my heroes” and likening it to “my Super Bowl.”
An Intimate ‘After-After Party’
Consuelos then revealed that the couple hosted their own “after-after party” at their Manhattan townhouse, a “sneaky one at the house.” He elaborated that the gathering took place on the roof of their five-story residence, valued at approximately $27 million, on what was a beautiful night. “We watched the sun come up with a bunch of friends,” the television personality shared, calling it “a unique experience to have.”
Reflections on Fallen Angels
Mark Consuelos also spoke about the conclusion of Fallen Angels, which wrapped its limited engagement on June 7, the same night it received its Tony Award. The play featured performances by Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara, both of whom were nominated for their roles.
“I’m on summer vacation!” Consuelos quipped to the audience, to which Ripa humorously responded, “You’re down to one job.” He expressed his gratitude to the entire team behind the production, particularly thanking the Roundabout Theatre Company for facilitating a smooth experience.
Kelli O’Hara Praises Consuelos’ Talent
Kelli O’Hara, in a separate conversation, shared her positive experience working with Mark Consuelos. “I loved working with Mark. He is the sweetest, the most hardworking and actually the funniest guy really – just always so dry and witty,” she stated.
O’Hara also described their pre-performance ritual. “We stand backstage right before he comes every night – right before we both enter for act three, and we just kind of breathe and we move around and we jump around.” She noted that despite it being his Broadway debut, Consuelos was a natural and “didn’t really need my help.” O’Hara added, “He’s no stranger to a crowd and [it’s] mostly [about] just keep the feeling light and remember to have fun.”
