Levi Kreis Shows His Southern Roots on Stage

NEW YORK (CBS) Levi Kreis brought a bit of his roots to the Tony Awards - in the form of his Southern-style bolo tie.

"I had to bring a little Tennessee," he said in the press room after he received the award for featured actor in a musical for his portrayal of rocker Jerry Lee Lewis in "Million Dollar Quartet."

Kreis said he was "still speechless" after hearing his name called as the winner, and said it was easy for him to accept the "Million Dollar" role.

"It's too appealing to play someone who was such an influence on my piano playing growing up," he said.

The one thing he had to work on to play Lewis: his hair.

"I had a buzzcut before I was cast -- I had to grow it out," he said.

Kreis said that he has enjoyed this role, adding that "to be able to play four music legends is a dream come true." (The musical centers around an impromptu jam session involving Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.)

He also said that his co-stars were a major factor in his staying with the show over the past six years, from workshops to out-of-town performances.

"It's all about the camaraderie of the guys," he said. "I would not have taken it as far as this point without the camerderie of these guys."

The actor and musician also offered advice for aspiring performers hoping to earn a Tony of their own: "Don't take no for an answer, and don't set limits."