SUNDAY IN THE PARK withdraws from Tony Eligibility

[jacobsnchz14]

The stars and producers of this season’s musicals can breathe a sigh of relief: there’s one less horse in the 2017 Tony Awards race. Producers of the revival of Sunday in the Park with George, which starts performances at the renovated Hudson Theatre on February 11, have announced their decision to withdraw the show from consideration for this year’s prizes.

A statement reads: "The producers of Sunday in the Park with George will not be submitting Hudson Theatre’s engagement of this New York City Center production for awards eligibility. With a season so full of tremendous, soon-to-be long-running new musicals and revivals, the producers feel this extremely limited, special run of Sunday stands most appropriately outside of any awards competition.  The production is nevertheless proud to be part of such a landmark Broadway season."

In a crowded season of musicals, Sunday would have found itself up against productions of Cats, Falsettos, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon and Hello, Dolly! for one of four nominee slots in the Best Revival of a Musical category.

Even more competitive will be the 2017 acting categories. Hollywood star Jake Gyllenhaal, who received rave reviews for his performance as George in the production when it premiered at City Center Encores! last year, would have been a major contender in the Best Leading Actor in a Musical race, which could also includes turns by Jon Jon Briones (Miss Saigon), Corey Cott (Bandstand), Josh Groban (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), Andy Karl (Groundhog Day), Derek Klena (Anastasia), David Hyde Pierce (Hello, Dolly!), Bryce Pinkham (Holiday Inn), Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen), Bobby Conte Thornton (A Bronx Tale), Michael Xavier (Sunset Boulevard) and two-time winner Christian Borle, who should prove eligible twice for Falsettos and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

In the leading actress category, past winner Ashford will avoid a Tony night showdown opposite stars like Christy Altomare (Anastasia), Christine Ebersole (War Paint), Lora Lee Gayer (Holiday Inn), Patti LuPone (War Paint), Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon), Laura Osnes (Bandstand), Phillipa Soo (Amelie) and, of course, Bette Midler, who is returning to Broadway musicals after a 50-year absence to play Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!.

Nominations for the 2017 Tony Awards will be announced on May 2. The 71st Annual Tony Awards will take place on June 11 at Radio City Music Hall.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/187487/exclusive-jake-gyllenhaal-annaleigh-ashford-sunday-in-the-park-with-george-wont-compete-in-2017-tony-awards-race/

[Scott Rosson]

Hey Sunday In The Park, do you want some Tony nominations ? No thanks I'm good.

[little_sally]

This is so bizarre.

[Valentina3]

It is extremely bizzare. I hope there are conspiracy theories.

 

I guess that dashes my dreams of a 2 week extension, which people said might happen because of Tonys.

[wonderfulwizard11]

It's probably a money issue. If the show is only running for 10 weeks- and indeed it seems like it's a strict limit- then why give away free tickets to Tony voters? If the show wants to recoup in such a short time it doesn't really make sense to invite the voters. 

[CindersGolightly]

Sort of upset....but what a beautiful way to display the shows message.

[WayTooBroadway]

Makes sense, wonderwizard11.

[Cfried]

This kind of breaks my heart. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

WTF? This is so weird. I feel bad for Jake and Annaleigh because based on what I heard, they deserved to be recognized

[TonyVincent]

I guess 868 voters, assume 500 would see it for free.  Am I right to assume all are given two tickets?  So 1000 tickets at $200+ avg price is $200,000+ in potential ticket sales.

[CindersGolightly]

Do you guys think this will have any effect on a possible cast recording?

[JVJ93]

This also, on the other hand, makes me question if this will in fact be fully staged and fully realized like we're expecting. Or just a pretty similar transfer of the NYCC concert. 

[SueBee06]

wonderfulwizard11 said: "It's probably a money issue. If the show is only running for 10 weeks- and indeed it seems like it's a strict limit- then why give away free tickets to Tony voters? If the show wants to recoup in such a short time it doesn't really make sense to invite the voters. 

 

"That was exactly my thought as soon as I saw the headline. They gain nothing by having it eligible. It's a limited run and not going to tour, so why give away seats?

 

[@z5]

If this the true and complete reason, I really respect this decision.

[ljay889]

Ugh

[broadwayguy91]

sorry for asking, but it's actually feasible for this production to RECOUP in TEN WEEKS?!? ...I mean, really?

[Cupid Boy2]

How punk rock - I love it! 

[little_sally]

broadwayguy91 said: "sorry for asking, but it's actually feasible for this production to RECOUP in TEN WEEKS?!? ...I mean, really?

They've already said they don't expect to recoup.

 

[Skimbleshanks2]

Kind of ridiculous when you consider some of the other limited engagements out there... I hope I didn't pay $200 to see City Centers on Broadway.

[broadwayguy91]

little_sally said: "broadwayguy91 said: "sorry for asking, but it's actually feasible for this production to RECOUP in TEN WEEKS?!? ...I mean, really?

They've already said they don't expect to recoup.

 

 

"

ah ok. I didn'r read about that before. thanks for the info. but someone above mentioned that one of the reasons for withdrawing was most likely not lose potential ticket sales due to Tony voters having to get comps. Which confuses me. If you're not expecting to recoup why not give this production a chance at the Tonys and possibly win some awards (for legacy's sake)?

[ljay889]

The most unfortunate part of this is that Jake was 100% deserving of his first Tony nomination for his sensational George. 

[dianamorales]

What the chance that they'll perform at the Tonys?? Wicked and Phantom werent up for anything a couple years ago either...

[GreenGables]

little_sally said: "broadwayguy91 said: "sorry for asking, but it's actually feasible for this production to RECOUP in TEN WEEKS?!? ...I mean, really?

They've already said they don't expect to recoup.
 

"

Actually, only the NY Times said it would be difficult to recoup.  The producers (Lead: ATG) absolutely want the headline "George recoups as first show in the Hudson Theatre" so they can prove to future producers that this is a legitimate house than you can recoup your show in.
 

Editing the math above, the seats they would give tony voters are $350/$375 (orchestra level).  so at $600 a ticket, youre looking at giving away anywhere from $300k to $600k (depending on how many voters see it) in lost ticket sales.

Not saying I agree with the decision, but it at least make some sense.

[Skimbleshanks2]

I'm annoyed... Should I sell my ticket? I don't get it...

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

dianamorales said: "What the chance that they'll perform at the Tonys?? Wicked and Phantom weren't up for anything a couple years ago either..."

That's because they were celebrating major anniversaries.

[GreenGables]

Skimbleshanks2 said: "Kind of ridiculous when you consider some of the other limited engagements out there... I hope I didn't pay $200 to see City Centers on Broadway.

 

"


this is really just speculation, but I think this is actually fully staged.  Both Lapine and Sondheim were at rehearsals this week from what I heard - I don't think they would care enough if it was just a transfer of the city centers version