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The 2019 Tony Award Nominations Announced

The nominations for the 73rd Tony Awards, celebrating excellence in live Broadway theatre, were announced Tuesday morning with Anaïs Mitchell’s Greek myth-inspired musical, Hadestown, leads the pack with 14 nominations.

The nominations for the 73rd annual Tony Awards, celebrating excellence in live Broadway theatre, were announced Tuesday morning with Anaïs Mitchell’s Greek myth-inspired musical, Hadestown, leads the pack with 14 nominations.

The jukebox musical inspired by the music of the Temptations, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, scored 12 nods; and the musical adaptation of Tootsie garnered 11 nominations.

The Prom, a ground-breaking musical comedy about a midwestern high school student who is told she can’t bring her lesbian girlfriend to the prom received 7 nominations including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Director as well as Best Leading Actor/Musical for Brooks Ashmanskas and two Best Leading Actress/Musical noms for Beth Leavel and Caitlin Kinnunen.

The musical stage adaptation of the hit film Beetlejuice rounds out the Best Musical category.

The Cher Show, which chronicles the life and music of the one and only Cher, was shut out of the Best Musical category but received 3 nominations (Best Actress/Musical, Best Costumes/Musical and Best Lighting Design/Musical).

Choir Boy, a coming-of-age story that follows a gay choir leader at a boarding school for black men by Moonlight’s Tarell Alvin McCraney, received 5 nominations including Best Play and Best Leading Actor/Play (Jeremy Pope).

Also nominated for Best Play are The Ferryman, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, Ink and What the Constitution Means to Me.

Two acclaimed LGBTQ-themed revivals of plays – The Boys in the Band and Torch Song – were nominated for Best Revival of a Play. Even though Boyshad an all-star cast, only Robin De Jesús scored a nomination for his performance.

Additionally, Judith Light will be honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Award, which is given “to an individual from the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, regardless of whether such organizations relate to the theatre.”

Already a two-time Tony Award winner for Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties, Light will receive the honorary award for her decades of work on behalf of the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS advocacy.

“The HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ communities are inspirations and demonstrations of how to be and live in the world; courageous, honorable, and uplifting,” said Light in a statement.

“They inspire me and it is my privilege to be of service to them,” she added. “I am humbled by this recognition from my theater family, whom I so respect, honor, and love.”

The 73rd Annual Tony Awards will be broadcast on CBS June 9, hosted by The Late Late Show’s James Corden.

Here’s the full list of nominations:

Best Play
Choir Boy
The Ferryman
Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Ink
What the Constitution Means to Me

Best Musical
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Beetlejuice
Hadestown
The Prom
Tootsie

Best Revival of a Play
Arthur Miller’s All My Sons
The Boys in the Band
Burn This
Torch Song
The Waverly Gallery

Best Revival of a Musical
Kiss Me, Kate
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Best Book of a Musical
Dominique Morisseau, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Scott Brown & Anthony King, Beetlejuice
Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown
Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin,The Prom
Robert Horn, Tootsie

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Joe Iconis, Be More Chill
Eddie Perfect, Beetlejuice
Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown
Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin, The Prom
Adam Guettel, To Kill a Mockingbird
David Yazbek,Tootsie

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Paddy Considine,The Ferryman
Bryan Cranston, Network
Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird
Adam Driver, Burn This
Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Annette Bening, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons
Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
Janet McTeer,Bernhardt/Hamlet
Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton
Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom
Derrick Baskin, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice
Damon Daunno, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show
Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom
Beth Leavel, The Prom
Eva Noblezada, Hadestown
Kelli O’Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Bertie Carvel, Ink
Robin De Jesús, The Boys in the Band
Gideon Glick, To Kill a Mockingbird
Brandon Uranowitz, Burn This
Benjamin Walker, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Fionnula Flanagan, The Ferryman
Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird
Kristine Nielsen, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Julie White, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Ruth Wilson, King Lear

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
André De Shields, Hadestown
Andy Grotelueschen, Tootsie
Patrick Page, Hadestown
Jeremy Pope, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Ephraim Sykes, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Lilli Cooper, Tootsie
Amber Gray, Hadestown
Sarah Stiles, Tootsie
Ali Stroker, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Mary Testa, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Miriam Buether, To Kill a Mockingbird
Bunny Christie, Ink
Rob Howell, The Ferryman
Santo Loquasto, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Jan Versweyveld, Network

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Peter England, King Kong
Rachel Hauck, Hadestown
Laura Jellinek, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
David Korins, Beetlejuice

Best Costume Design of a Play
Rob Howell, The Ferryman
Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet
Clint Ramos, Torch Song
Ann Roth, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Ann Roth, To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Michael Krass, Hadestown
William Ivey Long, Beetlejuice
William Ivey Long, Tootsie
Bob Mackie,The Cher Show
Paul Tazewell, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Neil Austin, Ink
Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Peter Mumford, The Ferryman
Jennifer Tipton, To Kill a Mockingbird
Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden, Network

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, The Cher Show
Howell Binkley, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Bradley King, Hadestown
Peter Mumford, King Kong
Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini, Beetlejuice

Best Sound Design of a Play
Adam Cork, Ink
Scott Lehrer, To Kill a Mockingbird
Fitz Patton, Choir Boy
Nick Powell, The Ferryman
Eric Sleichim, Network

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, Beetlejuice
Peter Hylenski, King Kong
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Drew Levy,Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, Hadestown

Best Direction of a Play
Rupert Goold, Ink
Sam Mendes, The Ferryman
Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird
Ivo van Hove, Network
George C. Wolfe,Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Best Direction of a Musical
Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown
Scott Ellis, Tootsie
Daniel Fish, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Des McAnuff, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Casey Nicholaw, The Prom

Best Choreography
Camille A. Brown, Choir Boy
Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me, Kate
Denis Jones, Tootsie
David Neumann, Hadestown
Sergio Trujillo, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Orchestrations
Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, Hadestown
Simon Hale, Tootsie
Larry Hochman, Kiss Me, Kate
Daniel Kluger, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Harold Wheeler, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Rosemary Harris
Terrence McNally
Harold Wheeler

Special Tony Awards
Marin Mazzie
Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company
Jason Michael Webb

Regional Theatre Tony Award
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
Palo Alto, CA

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award
Judith Light

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre
Broadway Inspirational Voices – Michael McElroy, Founder
Peter Entin
FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9
Joseph Blakely Forbess

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Michigan Man Accuses, Then Denies Accusing, Candidate Of Sexual Assault

Jacob Wohl

UPDATE: As many suspected, Republican losers operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman may have been behind the hoax.

From The Daily Beast:

The Daily Beast reached out to Kelly on a cell phone listed to him in the student directory at his Michigan college. Told we were reporting on apparent efforts by Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman to drum up false sexual assault allegations against Buttigieg, Kelly replied, “I was unaware this was happening. But yes it is true.”

Kelly wrote that he did not control the newly-created Medium and Twitter accounts that posted the allegations under his name. When asked if he could verify his identity, he texted the Daily Beast a selfie that matched the photo seen on Medium and on Kelly’s longstanding Facebook accounts.

“Here is a selfie of me, sorry I have been crying,” he wrote. “Today and the promises made didn’t go as planned.”

**************************************

So, not sure of the details at this point, but some seriously uncouth shenanigans were plied today against Democratic presidential candidate, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Someone using the name “Hunter Kelly” supposedly penned a letter on Medium (where anyone can post) that he was allegedly assaulted by Mayor Pete.

I was loath to give the piece any oxygen, but since no one believed it, including Republicans, I was asked to write it up for Instinct Magazine. I did making sure everyone understood folks knew it was completely shady.

Just an hour or so later, the guy – “Hunter Kelly” – posted on his Facebook:

I WAS NOT SEXUALLY ASSAULTED
It’s important for everyone to know that I was not sexually assaulted and would never falsely accuse anyone.
To keep it brief for now- I was approached by a political figure to come to DC to discuss political situations from the standpoint of a gay Republican. When I arrived they discussed Peter Buttigieg and started talking about how they would be working a campaign against him.
I went to bed and woke up to a fake Twitter @RealHunterKelly and an article that I in no way endorsed or wrote.
I have since left and am working on a formal statement to give to everyone including the Buttigieg family.
Thank you for standing behind me and knowing that I would never accept or allow any of this.

#shady

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Taron Egerton Covers Attitude Magazine

Taron Egerton covers Attitude Magazine’s June Issue
Taron Egerton, who plays pop superstar Elton John in the upcoming musical fantasy biopic Rocketman, shares with Attitude Magazine there was a time he wondered if he might be gay.

“When I was 14 or 15, I had a period of thinking I might be gay and I spoke to my mother about it,” says the 29-year-old. “It was a part of a period in my life where my mind was figuring things out.”

There’s something many of us can relate to.

Blaming the confusion on teenage hormones, Egerton admits it’s a time when “you question everything.”

“It was a very real feeling to me, and I was very panicked and upset about how I would be perceived,” the Welsh actor told Attitude. “That is not the same as going through it for real, but there is some understanding of what it might be like, and I remember feeling that acutely.”

The Kingsman star admits it’s not the same thing as coping with coming out himself, but “I guess there is a small kernel of that which I have experienced.”

Additionally, he shares that his roommate and bestie in drama school came out to him during that time, and he had a first-hand view of how the coming out process can impact a person.

“I’ve had someone cry in my arms about the fact that they were so terrified and at a loss at what to do,” he says.

When you add all that up, it’s not surprising that Egerton recently told GQ UK that he “always felt more at home in a gay club than at a football match.”

Still, Egerton is sympathetic that he landed a plum role that many gay actors would have relished.

“I completely understand why a gay actor would feel that this is an opportunity for which they would be better suited,” he acknowledged. “The way I feel about it is Elton asked me to play in a movie about his life. I am proud and privileged to be playing this person who happens to be gay.”

He also guarantees the film will not be ‘straight-washed,’ as many alleged the recent Bohemian Rhapsody hedged on the sexuality of Freddie Mercury.

“I would not have played this character if I didn’t think we could make a film the gay community would watch and feel a sense of ownership of,” he promises.

Check out Egerton’s full interview in Attitude’s June issue.

And check out more from his photo shoot below.

A post shared by Attitude Magazine (@attitudemag) on Apr 25, 2019 at 8:14am PDT

(Source: Attitude Magazine)

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Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon Advances To Top 6 On ‘American Idol’

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, the gay son of a Maryland pastor, scored last night as he performed in front of his parents for the first time on his journey with American Idol.
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon on American Idol

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, the gay son of a Maryland pastor, scored last night as he performed in front of his parents for the first time on his journey with American Idol.

With coaching from none other than Queen frontman Adam Lambert, Harmon offered a emotional, stripped down version of “Who Wants To Live Forever,” which resulted in a standing ovation from the audience, the judges, and most importantly, his parents.

During his initial audition for the reality talent competition, he shared that he had recently come out as gay, and his parents responded by telling him it’s ‘not a path’ they approved of.

He sang an original song he’d written, titled “Almost Heaven,” which questioned if there is a place for him in heaven. The song choice put the tension with his family center stage.

Last night’s song choice of “Who Wants To Live Forever,” famously sung by openly bisexual rocker Freddie Mercury, made it clear Harmon wanted to send a message with his parents in attendance.

But, while many are referring to the 26-year-old’s family ‘shunning him,’ he recently told Out that portrayal of his family dynamic wasn’t quite accurate.

“I’ve never said that my parents have rejected me, or don’t accept me as me, their son,” he shared with Out. “And that in combination with my parents not being able to make it to the first couple performances and [not being] featured on the show yet, you know, it’s easy for people to take that and run with it … in reality, they’re just trying to integrate this experience and they’re processing it in their own way.”

Judge Katy Perry, who is also a ‘pastor’s kid,’ has championed Harmon from day one. After his haunting performance which showed off his effortless high notes, she had only praise.

“Jeremiah, you really embodied the spirit of Freddie Mercury with that performance,” said Perry. “It was so beautiful seeing you perform in front of your parents for the first time, and it’s so wonderful to see your journey.”

“And to see your parents come out here, and support you, and accept you, and know it’s a “come as you are” situation,” she continued. “God bless you.”

Luke Bryan remarked on Harmon’s ability to “take us on a complete journey.”

“That was a journey that built and built and built, and you just took it to the next level,” Bryan gushed. “I loved every second of it.”

And elder statesman Lionel Richie chimed in, “There’s something you just can’t teach – the ability to draw people in.”

“The dynamics of your voice, you’ve got a band that sounds like that much power coming behind you, and you take the band to the next level,” said Richie. “That means you’re doing something powerful.”

“Your voice is something to be reckoned with,” he finished, adding, “I’m very proud of you and keep up the good work. The best time to do it is in front of your parents.’

Stay tuned, folks, because Harmon made it to the Top 6 now.

Could we have our first openly gay American Idol?

Jeremiah’s parents gave him a standing ovation attending their first AI episode

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Trump Feuds With Fox News’ Judge Andrew Napolitano

Donald Trump (L) and Judge Andrew Napolitano (R)

File this under “Infighting is funny.”

Donald Trump is super-angry because Fox News contributor Judge Andrew Napolitano penned this for Fox News last week which doesn’t quite ‘exonerate’ Trump of obstruction of justice:

Obstruction is a rare crime that is rarely completed. Stated differently, the obstructer need not succeed in order to be charged with obstruction. That’s because the statute itself prohibits attempting to impede or interfere with any government proceeding for a corrupt or self-serving purpose.

The president’s job is to enforce federal law. If he had ordered its violation to save innocent life or preserve human freedom, he would have a moral defense. But ordering obstruction to save himself from the consequences of his own behavior is unlawful and condemnable.

In retribution, Trump tweeted an angry retort claiming Napolitano turned on him because the Trumpster refused to nominate the judge to the Supreme Court.

Note how the Donald also puts the word “pal” in quotes in referring to openly gay Fox News anchor Shepard Smith, who has also been critical of the president.

Napolitano clapped back over the weekend during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business clarifying the SCOTUS comment and asked out loud of the Donald, “This is the way you treat your friends?”

Via Mediaite:

Andrew Napolitano accused Donald Trump of mischaracterizing their conversations together when the president swiped at him over the weekend. Maria Bartiromo asked Napolitano about this when he joined her on Fox Business, but he shrugged it off and asked “This is the way you treat your friends? How do you treat your enemies?”

Napolitano said that when he described how Neil Gorsuch had the judicial qualities Trump was looking for, the president-elect supposedly turned to him and said: “sounds like you’re describing yourself.”

“I said ‘no, no, I’m not describing myself,’” Napolitano recalled. “‘I’m describing Neil Gorsuch because you have this list of people from which you want to choose, and Judge Gorsuch is the person that I think most of your advisers are going to point to.’”

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Randy Rainbow Skewers AG William Barr In New Parody “Barr!”

In his latest parody, Randy puts his twist on the opening number from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. But in this incarnation, instead of "Belle!," Attorney General William Barr gets the satire treatment with "Barr!"

What better way to start the week than new Randy Rainbow?

In his latest parody, Randy puts his twist on the opening number from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. But in this incarnation, instead of “Belle!,” Attorney General William Barr gets the satire treatment with “Barr!”

Clever, clever stuff 🙂

Happy Monday!

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Evangelist Calls On Mayor Pete Buttigieg To ‘Repent’ For Being Gay, Twitterverse Claps Back

Franklin Graham

Hypocrisy much?

Evangelist Franklin Graham tweeted on Wednesday an attack on Democratic White House hopeful Mayor Pete Buttigieg for being gay and being in a same-sex marriage.

Graham took Buttigieg to task for being openly gay which the evangelist said was something the South Bend mayor should “be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised, or politicized.”

“The Bible says marriage is between a man & a woman—not two men, not two women,” added Graham. “The core of the Christian faith is believing and following Jesus Christ, who God sent to be the Savior of the world—to save us from sin, to save us from hell, to save us from eternal damnation.”

Graham has also called Melania Trump, who worked as a (sometimes nude) model in her time before the White House, as the “classiest First Lady our country has ever had.”

Buttigieg, who is a practicing Episcopalian, has been open about his religious beliefs. At a CNN town hall on Monday, he told the crowd he’s a proud gay Christian and feels that “God doesn’t have a political party.”

Buttigieg has also called out evangelical leaders who spew anti-LGBTQ policies.

During an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ show, he said “I don’t have a problem with religion, I’m religious, too.”

He quickly added, “I have a problem with religion being used as justification to harm people.”

The 37-year-old has also pointed out the hypocrisy of evangelicals who have turned a blind eye to Donald Trump’s multitudinous lies and his alleged affair with porn star, Stormy Daniels.

Buttigieg isn’t the only one who sees hypocrisy in action.

The Twitterverse was quick to respond to Graham.

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Meme Of The Day: Trump Says He Is “A Young Vibrant Man”

In a reaction to the announcement by former Vice President Joe Biden that he will run for president in 2020, Donald Trump offered a backhanded (and questionable) comment about his own, and Biden’s, current physical conditions.

“Well, I just feel like a young man. I’m so young. I can’t believe it. I’m the youngest person — I am a young vibrant man. I look at Joe, I don’t know about him.”

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News Round-Up: April 28, 2019

Bremen Menelli

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunk Bremen Menelli, currently in Palm Springs, is all smiles. I know a whole lotta gays are in the PS, so lots to smile about.

• Judith Light, Emmy and Tony Award winner, will be honored with the 2019 Isabelle Stevenson Award, presented to theater community members in recognition of their humanitarian contributions.

Light has worked tirelessly for decades as an advocate for LGBTQ rights; she’s been there for the fight against HIV/AIDS; and she continues to work with the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Truly a more-than-worthy recipient.

• Fourteen states currently have pending legislation that would require all presidential and vice presidential candidates to release their individual tax returns in order to appear on the ballot during the presidential or general election. The fourteen states are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Donald Trump – they’re looking at you.

• One day after former Vice President Joe Biden announced he is running for president in 2020, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, has issued a statement saying he will no longer accept campaign donations from federal lobbyists. Additionally, he will be returning the $30,250 he had received from those who had donated.

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced in an email on Friday that the campaign will no longer accept contributions from federal lobbyists, and plans to return $30,250 to those who have already donated.

• With over 3 million LGBTQ Americans living in rural areas, gay-friendly towns in red states (like Fayetteville, Arkansas) are in the hunt for LGBTQ travel dollars saying they welcome the gays.

• Woofy Pennsylvania state lawmaker Brian Sims started a conversation on his Instagram posting a photo of a Truvada pill, with the caption:

“PrEP/PEP: Starting this day off smart, proactive, and in control! Think this is an invite to talk about my sex life? It’s not. Think it’s an invite to shame me or anyone else? Grow up. “Stigma” is the thing our enemies want us to be stunted by. It literally kills us. It’s stupid and we control our own fate. No shame in this game. Just Pride. #PrEPsavesLIVES”

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‘Avengers Endgame’ Breaks Box Office Records With Over $1.2 Billion In Opening Weekend

Marvels' Avengers Endgame isn't just chock full of super heroes on screen. The final chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was super-powered at the box office as well taking in a whopping $1.2 billion in ticket sales worldwide in its opening weekend.

Marvels’ Avengers Endgame isn’t just chock full of super heroes on screen. The final chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was super-powered at the box office as well taking in a whopping $1.2 billion in ticket sales worldwide in its opening weekend.

The film banked $60 million on its first day in U.S. theaters this past Thursday.

For the weekend, the super-hero adventure film is estimated to rake in over $350 million in the U.S., which makes it the first movie to rack up over $300 million in an opening weekend.

The movie had the biggest Friday ever – with $156.7, as well as the biggest Saturday and Sunday, as well.

The fans weren’t just hyped up for the nearly-three hour finale. Critics were bullish on the film as well, which accounts for Avengers Endgame rating a 96 on Rotten Tomatoes.

(source)