Tony Nominations: Snubs and Surprises
The day of the Tony Award nominations is always filled with excitement and anticipation. It’s like college acceptance day, but with a twist. Only a handful of artists in each category are “admitted” as nominees, leaving many deserving works left by the wayside. The small number of nominators also means that outcomes can often defy prediction. In this blog post, we will discuss the snubs, surprises, and other notable anomalies of this year’s Tony nominations.
A Melancholy Morning for ‘Vanya’
Television stars are often considered good box office, but not always good Tony bait. This year, however, we saw a crop of television stars, including Sarah Paulson, Jeremy Strong, Steve Carell, and William Jackson Harper, who complicated that wisdom. While Paulson is a likely winner, the men seem to be canceling each other out. In the Lincoln Center Theater revival of “Uncle Vanya,” both Carell and Harper play characters competing for the love of a married woman. However, only Harper was nominated as Best Leading Actor in a Play. This snub highlights the idiosyncrasies of the nominating process.
Deep Cuts for ‘Stereophonic’
One of the most interesting questions of the morning was how the nominators would handle the ensemble in David Adjmi’s play, “Stereophonic.” The answer was generous, as five members of the young cast were singled out for their supporting performances. Tom Pecinka and Sarah Pidgeon, who portrayed the fraying central couple, and Juliana Canfield and Will Brill, who played their bandmates, all received nominations. Even Eli Gelb, who played the frazzled sound engineer without an instrument in hand, got in on the action. This recognition helped make “Stereophonic” the most nominated play in Broadway history.
Too Many Riches to Go Around
On the other hand, the superb ensemble casts of “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” and “Illinoise” were overlooked. This is not an accident, as many works these days distribute the storytelling burden equally among the cast. This can lead to odd nomination outcomes, where some casts are feasted upon while others are left hungry. It’s why many argue for a new category that honors ensembles. Actors’ Equity, the national union representing actors and stage managers, even has an annual award for Broadway choruses. This season, 21 out of 23 musicals are eligible for the award, and the winner will be notified on June 15, one day before the Tonys.
Women Lead in Directing
In the history of the Tony Awards, only 10 women have won prizes for directing. However, this year seems to be a turning point, with seven out of the 10 possible directing slots filled by women. Anne Kauffman, Lila Neugebauer, and Whitney White have been nominated for Best Direction of a Play, while Maria Friedman, Leigh Silverman, Jessica Stone, and Danya Taymor are in contention for Best Direction of a Musical. This increase in female representation is a positive step forward.
To Love, Honor, and Ignore
The Tony nominating committee said “I do” to two pairs of actors playing married characters: Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara in “Days of Wine and Roses,” and Maryann Plunkett and Dorian Harewood in “The Notebook.” However, the shows did not receive the same love. Neither “Days of Wine and Roses” nor “The Notebook” were nominated for Best Musical, although “Days of Wine and Roses” did receive a nomination for its score, and “The Notebook” for its book. Sometimes, you can’t always have your wedding cake and eat it too.
A Warm Willkommen to ‘Cabaret’
Rebecca Frecknall’s revival of “Cabaret” received critical acclaim when it opened on the West End in 2021, winning seven Olivier Awards. However, its Broadway transfer received a more muted response. Nevertheless, the Tony nominators recognized the show with a nomination for Best Revival of a Musical and gave nods to the actors, including Eddie Redmayne, Gayle Rankin, Bebe Neuwirth, and Steven Skybell, in all four acting categories. This demonstrates that despite differing opinions, the show still garnered recognition.
No Yellow Brick Road for ‘The Wiz’
The much-anticipated revival of “The Wiz” has been a hit this spring. However, the Tony nominators followed the lead of critics, rather than audiences, who had mixed reviews of the show’s look, script, and performances. Unfortunately, “The Wiz” did not receive a single nomination this time around, despite earning seven Tony Awards when it first arrived on Broadway in 1975.
In conclusion, the Tony nominations are always a mix of snubs, surprises, and anomalies. The small number of nominators and the idiosyncrasies of the process can lead to unexpected outcomes. However, it is important to celebrate the recognition of deserving artists and works, while also acknowledging the need for more inclusive categories and representation.
