Tony Nominating Committee and diversity

[rjnyyz]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 3:27am

Does anyone know how the Tony nominating committee deals with diversity of acting nominees? This year, unlike last, one could easily have a scenario where all 20 of the musical acting nominees be Caucasian.  

Do they try to address diversity before the vote and hope for the best?  Or are they able to adjust/re-vote if need be after the initial results, simply to avoid a backlash situation similar to the Academy awards in recent years.   

If you consider acting in a play nominees also, surely there will be some nominees of color, but wondering what they would do, if anything,  for example if only 1 of 40 were.  

If anyone has any insight it would be interesting to hear.   Thanks!

 

 

 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 3:43am

I should hope that they nominate actors based on individual merit, race notwithstanding. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 6:11am

I think the Tonys have shown that as a nominating committee, the are willing to nominate and choose winners regardless if race.  They can't help that producers have not given many people of color opportunities this year in New productions.

Updated On: 4/28/17 at 06:11 AM

[Sondheim_Disney1595]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 6:56am

I hope, as I hope with all award shows, that the awards are given based on strong and deserving performances. Race should not be a factor in any of the decisions. The Tony Awards were created to recognize excellence in Broadway Theatre and not to give the ATW and TBL diversity points.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 7:14am

Please specify which acting categories you are talking about. It would be impossible to not have people who are not Caucasian in straight play categories given what we had this season. Also, Jon Jon is definitely a shoo-in for nomination.

It's also super condescending when people put this issue the way the op did. It sounds like people who are not "white" (what do you mean by this term? Because biologically many South East Asians are Caucasians) are pitied with an accoloade or two, whereas in fact most people of "color" (tell me white is not a color) got their noms solely based on strength of performance.  

[PaulWom]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 7:16am

I entirely disagree. There ARE performers of color this year giving breathtaking, award-worthy performances- Denee Benton, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada, Jon Jon Briones, among other (albeit less Award-worthy, IMO) performances. If they are snubbed, regardless of opinion (I happen to think there's no question they deserve nominations), there WILL be a backlash a la #OscarsSoWhite. Good luck blaming it on the producers... Pretty sure the Oscars tried that first.

[PaulWom]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 7:18am

Dancingthrulife2, to clarify- I meant I disagree w the idea of this thread, not you- which is what it looks like bc I didn't see your post. My apologies!

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 7:47am

While there's a handful of diverse performers that are nomination/award worthy, there's simply not enough diverse performances eligible this season, which is the fault of the producers. In a season with an unprecedented number of new musicals, most of them have casts that are primarily white which is so disappointing, especially coming off last season's diverse high. Is this surprising? Unfortunately not but I was hopeful that producers would follow the lead of Hamilton diverse their casts up as much as possible.

[PaulWom]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 7:53am

HenryTDobson said: "While there's a handful of diverse performers that are nomination/award worthy, there's simply not enough diverse performances eligible this season, which is the fault of the producers. In a season with an unprecedented number of new musicals, most of them have casts that are primarily white which is so disappointing, especially coming off last season's diverse high. Is this surprising? Unfortunately not but I was hopeful that producers would follow the lead of Hamilton diverse their casts up as much as possible.

 

"

I will say that no matter what happens, I think there will be #TonysSoWhite backlash. Nominating the four people (who are worthy) might help lessen that blacklash.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 8:16am

Though on the play side, there is room for diversity with potential nominations for Corey Hawkins, Condola Rashad, John Douglas Thompson, etc.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 8:20am

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Though on the play side, there is room for diversity with potential nominations for Corey Hawkins, Condola Rashad, John Douglas Thompson, etc.

"

There's hardly enough contenders - are there any leading diverse performances because I can't think of a single one.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 12:30pm

I hope Denee Benton, Eva, and Jon Jon get nominated. I actually might be in the minority here thinking that Denee gives the best female performance of the year... sorry Bette you know I love you girl.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 12:42pm

I agree and echo many of the posts above: it is not the job of the Tonys to make sure diversity is represented. That is for producers and casting directors to make sure Broadway has room for many different types of stories to be told. The Tonys bestow awards and nominations for stellar work, not because of someones race or ethnicity. 

While this season would appear slightly less diverse, just look at all the worthy non-white actors up for nomination:

Eva Noblezada, Jon Jon Briones, Nicholas Christopher, Condola Rashad, John Douglas Thompson, Carra Patterson, Andre Holland, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins,Rebecca Naomi Jones, Amber Gray, Denee Benton, Caesar Samayoa, Rodney Hicks, Anthony Azizi, Corbin Bleu, Michelle Wilson, Phillipa Soo, Barrett Doss, Kristolyn Lloyd

Is it as diverse as last year? No. The leads for straight plays are all white with the exception of Corey Hawkins. Which is unfortunate. But to the original poster's point, its highly unlikely that there will be an all white nominee list.

[leighmiserables]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 12:46pm

I also agree with the previous posters – last year was an extraordinary diverse year. Hamilton, Shuffle Along, The Color Purple, Allegiance, Eclipsed, On Your Feet!, The Gin Game, Spring Awakening, and Amazing Grace were all shows that have diverse roles written into them. This season there is only one: Miss Saigon. 

I believe I read an article last summer written by Lin-Manuel Miranda about that very fact. He sort of scolded the theatre community for patting themselves on the backs for being "super diverse!" and predicted this year would halt the self-congratulatory train, and it seems that's going to be the case. 

Plus there's the fact that shows still cast mostly white performers. The only musical I've seen this season that I've noticed had a genuinely diverse cast (discounting Miss Saigon) is The Great Comet, and I've also noticed they haven't made a spectacle about it, which I appreciate. That's how it should be imo, but that's a whole other discussion. 

[Megsamegatron]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 2:18pm

MadonnaMusical said: "I hope Denee Benton, Eva, and Jon Jon get nominated. I actually might be in the minority here thinking that Denee gives the best female performance of the year... sorry Bette you know I love you girl.

 

" I agree with you, your not alone in your thoughts about Denee. 

 

[Rainah]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 3:41pm

I think instead we should be asking... why are shows being produced with all white casts nowadays? What can we do to increase the diversity on stage, and therefore the number of poc nominated. 

[newintown]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 3:46pm

HenryTDobson wrote: "While there's a handful of diverse performers that are nomination/award worthy, there's simply not enough diverse performances eligible this season, which is the fault of the producers."

In my experience, directors (and choreographers) are more responsible for casting choices than producers.

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 3:49pm

^ Agreed

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 4:08pm

Not that it's Tony worthy (or isn't, I haven't seen it to be able to judge) but I feel like we're forgetting A Bronx Tale.

My sense of things is that with the exception of Natasha Pierre, a lot of the musicals that have some diversity are still casting nonwhite actors in smaller supporting roles that wouldn't earn nominations (Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc.). And unfortunately the few lead or stronger supporting roles (Amelie, Groundhog Day, A Bronx Tale, Holiday Inn, In Transit) don't seem to really be considered competitive for awards, though anything is possible.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 4:38pm

I find myself agreeing with the first 3 or 4 posters, Geez, can't the "Best" just be judged on being the "Best"? We always go through this, like the Oscars did their complete turn around...maybe when Bette leaves, or Donna, they will do an all African American cast as they did in the past for Dolly. We are not just rooting for and hiring all caucasians; do any producers or directors specifically demand that? I'm sure news like that would get around town as troubling. I totally understand the appearance at times, but I just want the "Best" to be the "Best"

[Mike66]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 5:37pm

Someday, as Dr. King once said, we'll judge people based on what they do, rather than what they look like.

Theatre is so far ahead of American society. 

Just one example:  Where else would an African American be presented as the daughter of two Whites and no one (and I mean no one) even comment in passing?  (Dolls House 2).

Where else could an African American performer replace (or understudy) a White performer or an Asian performer.  Or the other way around.  Phillipa Soo isn't available -- Denee Benton gets to play the part. 

Where else can a huge family of white folks have a pater familias which is African American (James Earl Jones -- Cant Take It with You).

So how about we all reaffirm that the Tony Awards should celebrate excellence in theatre.

Not celebrate a quota of diverse actors. 

Who was it that said "I have the simplest of tastes.  I am always satisfied with the best."  (Oscar Wilde, maybe?)

 

[A Director]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 5:44pm

Mike66 said: "Someday, as Dr. King once said, we'll judge people based on what they do, rather than what they look like.

Whenever I see this quote, usually taken out of context, and used in this type of discussion, it is a safe bet the person who brings this up is white!

[A Director]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 5:46pm

Here's a simple idea, there should be more plays by and about POC on Broadway!

Posted: 4/28/17 at 5:51pm

Nobody is saying that the Tonys should purposefully nominate non-white actors to fill a quota. They're just pointing out that after the diversity of Broadway last season led to the first time all 4 musical acting awards went to POC, this year is a step back. I do think it has more to do with the people producing and casting the shows than the people giving out the Tony Awards.

[cam5y]

Posted: 4/28/17 at 5:52pm

VintageSnarker said: "Not that it's Tony worthy (or isn't, I haven't seen it to be able to judge) but I feel like we're forgetting A Bronx Tale.

My sense of things is that with the exception of Natasha Pierre, a lot of the musicals that have some diversity are still casting nonwhite actors in smaller supporting roles that wouldn't earn nominations (Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc.). And unfortunately the few lead or stronger supporting roles (Amelie, Groundhog Day, A Bronx Tale, Holiday Inn, In Transit) don't seem to really be considered competitive for awards, though anything is possible."

To be fair to Come From Away, literally all of the roles apart from Jenn Colella (who is based on a real person) are "smaller supporting roles that wouldn't earn nominations." Q Smith might sneak in there (possibly only in my dreams).

 

Updated On: 4/28/17 at 05:52 PM