Producers now allowed to bribe Tony voters

[qolbinau]

In theory, at least.

"Previously, the Rules and Regulations of The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards had enforced very narrow guidelines to producers as to what they could give to those voting for the annual Tony Awards. Under those rules, the producers could hand to Tony voters only: a souvenir book; a script; "an audio and/or video cast recording that replicates the on-stage performance of the eligible production and that does not contain additional material such as narration, quotations, musical underscoring, etc."; and "one set of selected reviews and/or unedited quotations regarding the eligible production."

In other words: no gravy, no graft, no superfluous swag. Just honest, educational promotional materials.

No more! About the suspension of the rules, Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, executive director of the American Theatre Wing, said in a joint statement, "It is the feeling of the committee that the producers have been acting responsibly and that they will continue to do so without such restrictive language. It is felt that the voters also act responsibly and that such things as souvenirs, edited reviews and small gifts, etc. have no bearing on the voters selections."

I envy them their faith in human nature."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192396-PLAYBILLCOMS-THEATRE-WEEK-IN-REVIEW-June-7-13-Tony-Awards-Rulings-Draw-Ire-From-Industry/pg3

[CATSNYrevival]

I need to become a Tony voter! Free swag!

[Mr Roxy]

Now remember boys and girls , it is all about quality of performance.

Cue the laughing.

[PalJoey]

Charlotte and Heather can agree on swag but not on whether every producer of a winning show is entitled pay for the his or her own Tony medallion?

Girls--get some priorities!

Oh, and Heather--Isabelle Stevenson would hate what you're doing to her Wing.

[James885]

"such things as souvenirs, edited reviews and small gifts, etc. have no bearing on the voters selections."

I don't believe that for one moment.

[rjm516]

Seriously, like there needed to be MORE reason to not trust in the awards.

[Mr Roxy]

If you believe that,I have a bridge I would like to sell you.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Ha, there's a shock.

[corkystclair2]

The very fact that were limitations in the first place is an acknowledgment that this sort of giving of gifts is influence peddling.

[Mr Roxy]

Impropriety 're Tony voting?

Is nothing sacred.

[orangeskittles]

Maybe I'm too minimalist to appreciate the appeal of being bombarded by promotional tschotskes, but does this seriously sway people's votes? It's not like producers take it back if you vote against them; you get to keep the crap regardless.