BEST MUSICAL 2020

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raddersons
#25BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 1:47pm

You know, back when "Special Theatrical Event" was a category, I could see an argument for Six there, and I could see it winning. Now that it no longer exists, it's a musical. It's definitely more of a musical than Contact is, at least.

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Miles2Go2
#26BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 1:51pm

It’s obviously all speculation at this point. I’ve only seen JLP, Moulin Rouge!, and Tina. Based on what I’ve seen, reviews, and creators involved:

I think the 5 nominees will be:

Flying Over Sunset

Girl from the North Country

Jagged Little Pill

Moulin Rouge!

Six

Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Sing Street steps in and takes a slot if Flying Over Sunset doesn’t turn out to be great or if voters don’t want to reward two jukebox musicals with nominations; in that case MR gets a nomination and JLP doesn’t. I can’t imagine Tina getting a nomination in this category. And unless it turns out to be great (which doesn’t seem to be the buzz from the out-of-town tryout), I think Mrs. Doubtfire will not be in the running. Right or wrong, I think people will be bringing their negative reactions to Tootsie and expect it to exceed them. If it doesn’t, it’s a no-go.

No idea who will win. I know I’m in the minority but I loved Moulin Rouge! If it doesn’t win, I think it could be FOS (assuming it’s good), GFTNC, or Six.

Interesting to contemplate which would win for best original score. By my count, only these would be eligible:

Diana

Flying Over Sunset

Mrs. Doubtfire

Sing Street (I haven’t seen the movie or the musical, but I believe they have enough new music to qualify?)

Six

The Lightning Thief

Of those, I think only these get nominations for Best Original Score:

Flying Over Sunset

Mrs. Doubtfire (?)

Sing Street

Six

Updated On: 1/13/20 at 01:51 PM

ElphabaGoodman
#27BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 1:55pm

Miles2Go2 said: "It’s obviously all speculation at this point. I’ve only seen JLP, Moulin Rouge!, and Tina. Based on what I’ve seen, reviews, and creators involved:

I think the 5 nominees will be:


Flying Over Sunset

Girl from the North Country

Jagged Little Pill

Moulin Rouge!

Six


Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Sing Street steps in and takes a slot if Flying Over Sunset doesn’t turn out to be great or if voters don’t want to reward two jukebox musicals with nominations; in that case MR gets a nomination and JLP doesn’t. I can’t imagine Tina getting a nomination in this category. And unless it turns out to be great (which doesn’t seem to be the buzz from the out-of-town tryout), I think Mrs. Doubtfire will not be in the running. Right or wrong, I think people will be bringing their negative reactions to Tootsie and expect it to exceedthem. If it doesn’t, it’s a no-go.

No idea who will win. I know I’m in the minority but I loved Moulin Rouge! If it doesn’t win, I think it could be FOS (assuming it’s good), GFTNC, or Six.

Interesting to contemplate which would win for best original score By my count, only these would be eligible:

Diana

Flying Over Sunset

Mrs. Doubtfire

Sing Street (I haven’t seen the movie or the musical, but I believe they have enough new music to qualify?)

Six

The Lightning Thief

Of those, I think only these get nominations for Best Original Score:

Flying Over Sunset

Mrs. Doubtfire

Sing Street

Six
"

Sing Street will not be eligible for original score

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Miles2Go2
#28BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 2:01pm

ElphabaGoodman said: "Sing Street will not be eligible for original score"

Wow. Then that’s going to be a category with not many nominees. If the voters hate Mrs. Doubtfire, it could easily just be: 

Flying Over Sunset

Six

ElphabaGoodman
#29BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 2:05pm

Miles2Go2 said: "ElphabaGoodman said: "Sing Street will not be eligible for original score"

Wow. Then that’s going to be a category with not many nominees. If the voters hate Mrs. Doubtfire, it could easily just be:

Flying Over Sunset

Six
"

I think at least one play will be in that category, like in previous years

 

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Miles2Go2
#30BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 2:10pm

ElphabaGoodman said: "Miles2Go2 said: "ElphabaGoodman said: "Sing Street will not be eligible for original score"

Wow. Then that’s going to be a category with not many nominees. If the voters hate Mrs. Doubtfire, it could easily just be:

Flying Over Sunset

Six
"

I think at least one play will be in that category, like in previous years


"

I was just thinking about that. Which plays would qualify? Of the eligible plays I saw this year, I can’t recall significant/memorable scores. Of course, we’ve still got more plays yet to open.  

Updated On: 1/13/20 at 02:10 PM

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binau
#31BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 2:21pm

I’m rooting for Flying Over Sunset or an alternative such as Moulin Rouge. Six win the tony award for best musical??? Urgh.


"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022) "Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009) "Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000

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Miles2Go2
#32BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 2:43pm

I think Six’s biggest obstacle to winning Best Musical will be its short running time. Some voters might consider it too “slight” to earn their vote. Of course. The Band’s Visit was short too (although longer than Six) so we’ll see! However, if the score for FOS isn’t strong, I think Six is the likely winner for Best Original Score.

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Ledaero
#33BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/13/20 at 3:07pm


"I was just thinking about that. Whichplays would qualify? Of the eligibleplays I saw this year, I can’t recall significant/memorable scores. Of course, we’ve still got more plays yet to open."

I'm assuming that The Rose Tattoo and The Lehman Trilogy will both get Original Score nominations.

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AADA81
#34BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/14/20 at 3:27pm

Jagged Little Pill

Moulin Rouge

Flying Over Sunset (possibly)

This has not been a particularly strong season so far and it's not looking like it's going to get much better by May.

Impossible2
#35BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/14/20 at 3:36pm

So it appears the Six backlash has started even before its opened Loooool

Unbelievable

Juanald02
#36BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/14/20 at 3:44pm

My Predictions 

  • Flying Over Sunset 
  • Girl From The North Country 
  • Moulin Rouge 
  • Mrs. Doubtfire 
  • Six 

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JBroadway
#37BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/14/20 at 3:50pm

Miles2Go2 “I was just thinking about that. Whichplays would qualify? Of the eligibleplays I saw this year, I can’t recall significant/memorable scores. Of course, we’ve still got more plays yet to open. "


I’ve mentioned before this in other threads, and I’ll probably continue to mention it until nominations come out, but I believe Rose Tattoo deserves to, and potentially could get a nomination for best score. Not only was it a gorgeous score, but it was composed by the same guy who won a special Tony last year for Choir Boy. Plus it’s just such a weak year for scores. The biggest obstacles will be the the show’s poor reception, and the fact that it will be long-closed 

JSquared2
#38BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/14/20 at 4:01pm

JBroadway said: "Miles2Go2 “I was just thinking about that. Whichplays would qualify? Of the eligibleplays I saw this year, I can’t recall significant/memorable scores. Of course, we’ve still got more plays yet to open. "

I’ve mentioned before this in other threads, and I’ll probably continue to mention it until nominations come out, but I believeRose Tattoo deserves to, and potentially could get a nomination for best score. Not only was it a gorgeous score, but it was composed by the same guy who won a special Tony last year for Choir Boy. Plus it’s just such a weak year for scores. The biggest obstacles will be the the show’s poor reception, and the fact that it will be long-closed
"

The Rose Tattoo is already a distant (and best forgotten) memory.  The only way it's getting any awards is if Broadway comes up with its own version of the Razzies.

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Robbie2
#39BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/14/20 at 8:25pm

All eyes are on Flying Over Sunset ~


"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new." Sunday in the Park with George

Wayman_Wong
#40BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 12:41am

Another contender for Original Score could be ''The Inheritance.'' 

Paul Englishby's music to the play can be found at YouTube.

SouthernCakes
#41BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 12:45am

I think Mrs Doubtfire might surprise us all. But I think Six will too. I think Girl From North County and Sing Street are the underdogs.

Wayman_Wong
#42BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 1:06am

Dusty Somers, who reviewed ''Mrs. Doubtfire'' for the Seattle Times, didn't think this piece of ''nostalgia bait'' has too many surprises. She called it a ''creaky old Hollywood property gussied up in a new wig,'' and said the score ''doesn't have much of an identity. Bland pop-rock scene setters and maudlin ballads proliferate.''

https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/mrs-doubtfire-at-seattles-5th-avenue-theatre-stirs-up-nostalgia-but-not-much-new/

 

Updated On: 1/15/20 at 01:06 AM

jakethesnake
#43BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 1:09am

In what way does anyone say Six is not a musical? It has an original score, distinct characters, a storyline (as slight as it is), etc. Just because the show is done as a concert format does not make it a concert. Wouldn’t Smokey Joes be a concert? Ain’t Misbehavin’? Any revue, for that matter. And all of those musicals used pre-existing material. Enough with the Six is not a musical talk. A short musical is still a musical. I wasn’t aware that length of a show determines its value. Why isn’t The Inheritance running away with all the accolades then?

Updated On: 1/15/20 at 01:09 AM

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MayAudraBlessYou2
#44BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 11:54am

While it's impossible to say with certainty before its opened here...I find it odd that people are dismissing Mrs. Doubtfire as a nominee. 

It is one of the only musicals this season with an original score (as of late, the most important thing for voters). The songwriting team are Tony nominees. The director is a Tony winner. The scenic, costume, and sound designers are Tony winners. It has two Tony nominated actors in two baity roles. I think it will have a difficult time winning Best Musical due to coming in right after Tootsie, and it may or may not get a great critical and/or audience response. But on paper it looks good for at least a nomination.  

I have a hard time seeing the nominating committee filling the top category with a majority of jukebox musicals if original options exist.

I don't think SIX can be considered a lock yet. It'll have to really be the big hit of the spring season. But its composers are not part of the Broadway in-crowd, the concert style staging won't be for everyone, and (perhaps most importantly) I think the audience for this skews young. The nominating committee isn't young and we've seen them shun the cult favorites of younger theatergoers before. 

Early Early Predictions

1. Flying Over Sunset

2. Moulin Rouge!

3. Girl From the North Country

4. Mrs. Doubtfire

5. SIX

Alternate: Sing Street

Theatrefanboy1
#45BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 1:09pm

I’m gonna say the two that will be the contenting for the top prize will be six or moulin rouge. And it will just be whether they want to award the one who has received for the visual aspects of the show or the writing team with best musical.

Jarethan
#46BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 4:59pm

I agree with Dollypop.  That said, I know I am in the minority, but I continue to have an issue with a 70 minute show winning best musical.  It just doesn't seem substantial enough for me, even if it is good.  Maybe they should have a Best Musical-lite category.  (I am paraphrasing a friend who saw it in Cambridge, did enjoy it, but felt there was just not enough to it to justify Broadway prices and commuting in from the suburbs to see. 

 

Impossible2
#47BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 5:55pm

Jarethan said: "I agree with Dollypop. That said, I know I am in the minority, but I continue to have an issue with a 70 minute show winning best musical. It just doesn't seem substantial enough for me, even if it is good. Maybe they should have a Best Musical-lite category. (I am paraphrasing a friend who saw it in Cambridge, did enjoy it, but felt there was just not enough to it to justify Broadway prices and commuting in from the suburbs to see.

 

"

It's 80 minutes...

I wouldn't be surprised if they are adding new stuff for Broadway and just not saying anything as yet...

gibsons2
#48BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 6:05pm

Jarethan said: "I agree with Dollypop. That said, I know I am in the minority, but I continue to have an issue with a 70 minute show winning best musical. It just doesn't seem substantial enough for me, even if it is good. Maybe they should have a Best Musical-lite category. (I am paraphrasing a friend who saw it in Cambridge, did enjoy it, but felt there was just not enough to it to justify Broadway prices and commuting in from the suburbs to see.

 

I agree with you. Given what type of musicals won the Tony in that category in the past several years, Six doesn't seem to have the same depth and weight. And it's not only because it's short and has a concert format. I've looked through tons of the Six videos on social media and Youtube and it just doesn't look like something of the same caliber as Hadestown, DEH or The Band's visit. The score is great and catchy, but the rest... Nevertheless, I hope to like it, I'm seeing it during previews in February. 

 

Impossible2
#49BEST MUSICAL 2020
Posted: 1/15/20 at 6:31pm

gibsons2 said: "Jarethan said: "I agree with Dollypop. That said, I know I am in the minority, but I continue to have an issue with a 70 minute show winning best musical. It just doesn't seem substantial enough for me, even if it is good. Maybe they should have a Best Musical-lite category. (I am paraphrasing a friend who saw it in Cambridge, did enjoy it, but felt there was just not enough to it to justify Broadway prices and commuting in from the suburbs to see.

 

 

 

I agree with you. Given what type of musicals won the Tony in that category in the past several years, Six doesn't seem to have the same depth and weight. And it's not only because it's short and has a concert format.I've looked through tons of the Six videos on social media and Youtube and it just doesn't look like something of the same caliber as Hadestown, DEH or The Band's visit. The score is great and catchy, but the rest... Nevertheless, I hope to like it,I'm seeing it during previews in February."

 

 

There is plenty of depth and a range of serious issues covered.

It has just as much depth as any of the shows you mentioned, if you're smart enough to pick them all up.