“Whose idea was it to go and talk to the teenagers? We could’ve had a toddler who doesn’t have opinions and thong underwear.”
No, Rose Byrne, the 76th Woman of the Year, did not say this to the cast, crew, and business staff of Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Thankfully, most are merely opinionated twenty-somethings. The line comes instead from the 2018 film “Instant Family,” in which Byrne plays an overwhelmed foster mother to three. This performance, along with her many others, ultimately led to her invitation to Cambridge this winter.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theater company in the United States, honored Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning Rose Byrne as its Woman of the Year on Feb. 13. Amidst the day-long celebration, Byrne led the cast parade, endured a roast from HPT’s President Daisy Nussbaum ’26 and Cast Vice-President Isabel Wilson ’26, participated in a press conference, and attended a performance of HPT’s 177th production, “Salooney Tunes.”
Dating back to 1951, WOY is HPT’s oldest honor, annually awarded to female performers who have made commendable contributions to the world of entertainment. Past recipients include Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, and, most recently, Cynthia Erivo.
In Feb. 2026, Byrne received her first-ever Academy Award nomination for “Best Actress” for her performance in the 2025 film, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” The role has already earned her the 2025 Golden Globe for “Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.” Other notable performances of Byrne’s include Kelly Radner in “Neighbors,” Helen in “Bridesmaids,” Renai Lambert in “Insidious,” and Ellie Wagner in “Instant Family.”
Being honored as WOY includes an entire day of Harvard-centric celebrations, starting with a tour of Harvard Yard and a subsequent parade through Harvard Square at 2 p.m. With zealous fans, eager students, and Cambridge locals alike, Byrne rode down Massachusetts Avenue in style, waving and taking in the crowd’s enthusiasm from the back of a Bentley convertible alongside Nussbaum and Wilson.
Other characters in the parade included Miss Massachusetts; Miss Cambridge; a Ghosts and Gravestones trolley; and student performance groups such as Harvard’s premier improv comedy troupe, Immediate Gratification Players.
Fans cheered along as Byrne participated in the time-honored kickline with the HPT cast on the steps of Farkas Hall to close out the procession and afternoon.
Later that evening, Byrne took the stage at Farkas Hall for the storied WOY roast, or as Nussbaum and Wilson joked, a “Byrne.”
Nussbaum and Wilson began by paying tribute to Byrne’s expansive and decorated career: “[Rose], we are so lucky to have you here. Really. Your accolades speak for themselves. I mean, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and MTV Best Kiss award, and MTV’s Most WTF Moment award,” Wilson said.
“For more than two decades, [you have] proven to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile performers. You know, equally adept in comedy and drama, from blockbusters to independent film, [you are] by far the most talented Australian-accented actress,” Nussbaum added.
Pivoting to Byrne’s most recent role as Linda in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Nussbaum and Wilson referenced the character’s therapy sessions with a mental health professional played by Conan O’Brien ’85. However, the HPT pair suggested that Linda’s continued reliance on drugs and alcohol meant that even O’Brien’s efforts were insufficient.
“Lucky for you, Izzy and I have one Psychology class total under our belt. So I guess the question is, ‘How are you today, Rose? How are you really?’” Nussbaum probed as she, alongside Wilson, sat on stage pretending to be therapists.
Faux glasses on and notepads out, the pair presented a variety of blurred images, intended to resemble the Rorschach test, widely used in clinical settings to identify mental illnesses. These self-indulgent ink blots included a promotional poster of “Bridesmaids” and a picture of Byrne herself.
The two then returned to Byrne’s Australian roots, cracking many jokes about the stark cultural differences between the United States and Australia: “You know, they have kangaroos; we have horses. They eat Vegemite. We eat ketchup. They call you ‘Rose Byrne,’ and we call you after Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman have already said no.” (And don’t worry, Byrne was laughing along with these jests.)
Wrapping up the roast segment, Nussbaum and Wilson brought Byrne’s relationship status to the forefront of their conversation, noting how she refers to her long-term partner Bobby Cannavale as her husband, though the pair never officially got married.
Nussbaum cracked an almost-too-perfectly set-up joke. “I guess what you’re saying is, always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” she said, paying tribute to Byrne’s iconic role in the seminal romantic comedy “Bridesmaids.”
The pair brought out HPT members Bernardo Sequeira ’26, Jackson Coombs ’26, Arwen Zhang ’26, and Matt Chen ’26 to play Byrne’s bridesmaids as she was to be wedded to the one true love of the evening—her gold Pudding Pot. Presented by writers of HPT 177 Benjamin Langman ’26 and Gunnar Sizemore ’27, Byrne recited a series of vows to the pot, including a promise to shout out the Hasty Pudding Theatricals in all future speeches of hers. Byrne christened the marriage and evening with a long-awaited kiss to her Pudding Pot.
Nussbaum shared with the “Independent” how incredible Byrne was to work with in person: “With such an iconic resume and amidst an exciting awards season, [Rose] was so generous to spend the day with us. Friday was truly a celebration of both Rose’s impressive career and the work of the undergrads of HPT 177.” She also emphasized the immense coordination and dedication required to bring the event to life: “Our company puts in a herculean effort to make the show and the Woman/Man of the Year events possible. Watching Rose marry her Pudding Pot on our stage made the months of planning and rehearsal well worth it.”
Following the roast, Byrne was ushered into the event’s press conference, where she was accompanied by HPT Press & Publicity Manager Chaelon Simpson ’26, band Vice-President Weston Lewin ’26, and HPT 177 tech crew member John Kulow ’26. Simpson, leading his third and final press conference, opened the event acknowledging the room’s attendees for their kindness during his career at the Theatricals.
“Thank you so, so much for all the support that you’ve given not only the Pudding, but also me over the years. It’s meant the absolute world, and it’s been such a blast and pleasure getting to know and work with all of you,” he said.
Following the event, Simpson shared with the “Independent” how being a part of the Pudding over his time at Harvard has been the experience of a lifetime. “The real, personal relationships I’ve formed with the press have matriculated because of our shared love for art. There was no one better to celebrate my last press conference than with Rose,” Simpson shared. “She has by far been my favorite honoree, extending kindness and grace the entire time.”
Sitting in the middle of the press table alongside her brand new golden Pudding Pot, Byrne described her day at Harvard with the Hasty Pudding Theatricals as magical and inspiring to be alongside students: “It’s been so special to be here and amongst all the youth … the future.”
The “Independent” had the opportunity to ask Byrne which character of hers has impacted her career in the most lasting way, either personally or professionally, to which Byrne named her most recent role in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” “[The role] really stretched me, technically and emotionally, and really every aspect as a performer really challenged me in a way that I had not had before, particularly in the format of a feature film,” Byrne responded.
“It’s meaningful that the work is being recognized. You know, the character is really the film, and the film is the character. So for me, the acknowledgement of that is of the film, because I just think it really will live on, and it’s very fearless and kind of radical, and so very, I’m really proud of that,” she continued.
In keeping with the theater’s signature live performance style, Byrne joked that HPT’s roast served as fitting preparation for an upcoming project of hers—returning to the stage for the first time in five years to join the cast of Broadway comedy classic “Fallen Angels.” “It was actually fun being on stage and doing a little scene,” she said.
Returning to the theater, Byrne took her seat for the evening’s showing of “Salooney Tunes.” The show revolves around two partners in crime, Robin YaBlind, played by Will Jevon ’27, and his lesser-known sidekick Wyatt Aintme, played by Amelia Sipkin ’29. The pair conspires alongside evil mayor, Gerri Mandering, to steal the town’s newly found gold. Underdog Wyatt Aintme splits from boss Robin YaBlind to become the town’s most wanted criminal, earning him long-sought-after infamy. Ultimately defeated by a collection of locals, including pregnant sheriff Carrie N Twins, Bart Ender, Sarah Problem, Anna FiveSix FiveSixSevenEight, Tilda Cowscomehome, Gideon Up, and Dustin Myeyes, the show is chaotic, humorous, and extravagant in true Pudding fashion.
The crowd roared with laughter throughout the show’s many political jabs, wild plot points, and sexual innuendos.
“Salooney Tunes” is entirely student-created, with writers Benjamin Langman ’26 and Gunnar Sizemore ’27, composer Christian Liu ’26, and Olivia Data ’26 as Principal Lyricist. For those interested in seeing the production, the show is currently running at Farkas Hall from Feb. 6 to March 8, with special performances in New York City on March 13 and 14 and Bermuda on March 18, 19, and 20.
Tickets for HPT 177 can be purchased at https://www.hastypudding.org/buy-tickets/.
Rania Jones ’27 (rjones@college.harvard.edu) and Sara Kumar ’27 (sjkumar@college.harvard.edu) wish they could have been bridesmaids in Byrne’s HPT wedding.