I just want clarification. Do you mean ensemble or just cast as a whole?
if it were ensemble I would say Finding Neverland would have been nominated and won, but if it were cast I would say Fun Home.
Last year Hamilton had the best ensemble and best cast would be a tie between bright star and the color purple.
I also think best orchestra should be a thing.
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Call_me_jorge said: "I also think best orchestra should be a thing."
Given the lack of knowledge that Tony voters have when it comes to orchestration or sound design, how would this category work? Especially considering that it's not very common that the entire "original" orchestra is playing together for any given performance.
I think Sound Design needs to be brought back and retroactively awarded for the past couple years before we talk about extra awards like these. I'm still angry.
The SAG awards have this category for casts as a whole in tv and movies and it works really well in cases where there are multiple co-leads and/or major supporting roles. It rewards the chemistry and dynamic that the group of actors have with each other which often is key to the projects success.
This year I would have given it to Hamilton. In the past Rent, Hairspray and Jersey Boys.
BroadwayConcierge said: "I think Sound Design needs to be brought back and retroactively awarded for the past couple years before we talk about extra awards like these. I'm still angry."
Here’s what I think the sound categories would’ve looked like had they still been in existence these past two years…
2015 Best Sound Design of a Musical: Kai Harada-Fun Home Kai Harada-On the Town Scott Lehrer-The King & I Jon Weston-An American in Paris
Best Sound Design of a Play: Paul Arditti-Skylight Ian Dickinson-The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Nick Powell-Wolf Hall, Parts I & II Jon Weston-You Can’t Take It With You
2016 Best Sound Design of a Musical: Steve Canyon Kennedy-On Your Feet! Scott Lehrer-Shuffle Along… Mick Potter-School of Rock Nevin Steinberg-Hamilton
Best Sound Design of a Play: Broken Chord-Eclipsed Tom Gibbons-Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge Clive Goodwin-Long Day’s Journey Into Night Fitz Patton-The Humans
I don't think "cast" or "ensemble" awards make much sense. It would pretty much exclusively go to shows that sweep the acting categories anyways. I also agree with ljay that Tonys would become way too plentiful. It's absurd that we still didn't get the Sound Design category back.
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Perhaps a true "Best Ensemble" award could work...but only when no character in the play/musical rises above the others. Hard call..This is not a bad thing.