Do you think replacements should be eligible for Tony Awards consideration?

[Will42]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:24pm

I'm not suggesting creating new category. I'm actually very much against it. Actors already have 8 categories to compete in, which is more than enough. But what's wrong with allowing actors who have replaced original cast members also get their moment under the sun? In many cases they are better than the actors they've replaced.
Plus it will make the Tonys race more competitive, since often it's hard to find 4 deserves nominees, especially in musical categories.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:27pm

It's tough to say. Arguably the work being done originating a role (even in a revival) isn't necessarily equal to the work that goes into replacing, in that in rehearsing a new production you're creating the template that replacements will later uses, things will be changed in the vocal style and blocking and even sometimes actual lines being rewritten (as was the case with Andy Karl in Drood). You could say that it's not entirely fair to compare that process to the process of replacing which is usually a quick 2-4 weeks of rehearsal and then jumping in and having to, in many cases, replicate someone else's work. Different shows let actors have different degrees of freedom in creating their own performance, but it's really comparing apples and oranges in my mind.

[Will42]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:37pm

Interesting perspective. I didn't even thought about the degree of difficulty in creating a character in comparison to following someone's footsteps (although I bet it's is also not easy).

I imagine if they ever allow it, more big names will be filling to replace departing cast members since the idea of getting a Tony nod or even a win, without risking to commit to an unsuccessful show must be tempting.
At the same time most stage actors, who are not necessarily TV or film stars only get to headline a Broadway production as replacements those days.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:46pm

No, it would be too tough for the parts that just opened. Like, for example: What if Corey Cott beat Rob McClure for a Best Leading Actor slot? That'd be frustrating and unfair because NEWSIES had its time last year. Give the new shows a chance!

And if they wanted to nominate replacements for their work and save slots for new parts, they should have stuck with the Best Replacement category before cancelling it the last second.

[John Adams]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:48pm

The Tony rules regarding eligibility state that the show must have originated during that particular season (including revivals). All awards are given in regards to the shows, even the acting awards. It's implied that the award for say, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical" also includes the wording, "...that originated on Broadway this season".

If elements of shows (including replacement actors, or updated costumes, new sound design, etc.) were eligible season after season, there would be no ending of competitors and I could see a possibility for the same show(s) winning the same awards year after year.

Larry Kert was the only replacement to meet the criteria when he replaced Dean Jones in Company and was nominated in the "Best Actor in a musical" category. Updated On: 6/14/13 at 05:48 PM

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:48pm

Can someone explain how Time Stands Still was produced at the Friedman and went through that award season and then it was produced at The Cort the next season and only Christina Ricci was eligible

[John Adams]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:50pm

Is the Friedman a Broadway house? How many seats? I know that the eligibility requirements have specific details regarding house size. Is it possible that the Friedman didn't meet the criteria, but the Cort did? (I have no idea).

Updated On: 6/14/13 at 05:50 PM

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:51pm

yes.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 5:54pm

I think if they're truly outstanding, they should be awarded a special Tony, but not a competitive one, like Pearl Bailey was for Hello Dolly.

[binau]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 6:38pm

I think this is a great idea. If actors from the same shows ended up winning the same award year after year (even though I don't think this is going to happen), then so be it. It's about the best actor in the season. Imagine the new life that would be bread into a show like CHICAGO when once every couple of years someone steps into the show and blows everyone away. If a new role doesn't make the slot then tough luck. Also, if a performance just replicates the original role then who cares - it just wouldn't be nominated.

Imagine how exciting the 2010/2011 Leading Actress away would have been if it was:

* Sutton Foster - Anything Goes

* Bernadette Peters - A Little Night Music

* Marin Mazzie - Next to normal

* Patina Miller - Sister Act

Of course, it perhaps makes the Tonys less effective at marketing new musicals. But still.

Updated On: 6/14/13 at 06:38 PM

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 7:12pm

Can someone explain how Time Stands Still was produced at the Friedman and went through that award season and then it was produced at The Cort the next season and only Christina Ricci was eligible

Yes to whoever asked, the Friedman is a Broadway house. MTC uses it for all their Broadway productions. If you haven't already noticed, the Tonys make things up as they go along more than any other award show.

Three performers who we want to win giving a performance in Billy Elliot? Let's nominate and award them all! Some controversy however how to nominate four actresses in the same role in Matilda after the Billy Elliot backlash? I know, let's just make a special Tony Award and just give it to them without putting anything to the voters!

Mayor Bloomberg wants a Tony? Sarah Jones wants a Tony? Give them all Tonys, Tonys for everyone!


To answer the question posed in this thread, I think it's a terrible idea even if it may sound appealing in theory. I will echo the argument about Tonys being for originating a role in a particular production and that it should be reserved only for new productions.

Logistically, it would also be impossible. How long do you need to be in a show to qualify as a "replacement" and be eligible? A month, two months, six months? Shows change their casts all the time as performers get other offers or leave for any number of reasons. Do all 700+ Tony voters need to see every single Broadway show every single time someone gets replaced? They'd have to revisit shows like Phantom, Chicago, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, etc. five or more times per year, each and every time a featured or leading actor/actress changes over.

Sure, you could say that the Tony voters don't need to see every performer but then awarding any "high profile replacement" is inherently incredibly unfair if most people who may be delivering fantastic performances aren't even getting seen.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 7:21pm

A replacement category almost (well, did?) happened in 2005-2006.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/90495-Will-Replacement-Cast-Members-Be-Eligible-For-Tony-Awards

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/95725/best-replacement-tony-award-is-no-more/



Updated On: 6/14/13 at 07:21 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 7:24pm

Back in September 2005, the Tony Awards Administration created a new Tony category: the Best Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Recreated Role. Less than a year later the category, which was never awarded, is gone, according to The New York Post.
This year was the first year any performer was eligible to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Recreated Role. The category was instituted on a trial basis, only to be in effect the 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons unless adopted permanently. The award was to be chosen by the Tony Awards Administration Committee a group comprised of 24 members and winners were required to obtain a minimum of 16 votes to pick up the prize. Fiddler on the Roof's Harvey Fierstein and Dirty Rotten Scoundrel's Jonathan Pryce were contenders, but neither received the necessary votes. Thus, in a controversial move, the Tony Awards Administration opted not to give the award. Pryce publicly stated his displeasure with the process.

The Administration Committee voted unanimous to abandon the category last week. It is possible in future years there could be special awards given to replacements, but there is no longer an official category in which they fit.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/95725/best-replacement-tony-award-is-no-more/

[Will42]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 7:25pm

'Logistically, it would also be impossible. How long do you need to be in a show to qualify as a "replacement" and be eligible? A month, two months, six months? Shows change their casts all the time as performers get other offers or leave for any number of reasons. Do all 700+ Tony voters need to see every single Broadway show every single time someone gets replaced? They'd have to revisit shows like Phantom, Chicago, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, etc. five or more times per year, each and every time a featured or leading actor/actress changes over.

Sure, you could say that the Tony voters don't need to see every performer but then awarding any "high profile replacement" is inherently incredibly unfair if most people who may be delivering fantastic performances aren't even getting seen.'

Another valid point. Yeah, it probably not such a good idea after all.

[FindMe12]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 7:33pm

I think it would have to be a special award that doesn't have to be given every year, sort of like tony honors for a recreated performance. I would think that to be eligible you would have to have played the role for at least a year to be considered and at that point the shows producers would have to petition the tony committee to consider if they think the performance is tony worthy. I also think there would have to be other stipulations such as you could only win the award once in your career.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 7:47pm

To think that if this category existed, Liza would've been awarded for Chicago and Victor Victoria.

[jackieoh]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 9:31pm

The only time I've ever wished for a replacement Tony was for Marin Mazzie in next to normal. She was mind-blowing and it really is a shame that such a brilliant actress has never been honored.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 10:29pm

I believe we went through this about 5 years ago.

[justoldbill]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 10:43pm

Yeah! Look at HELLO, DOLLY!- BIBI OSTERWALD WAS ROBBED!!!!!

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 10:44pm

I believe we went through this about 5 years ago.

Read above.

[broadwaybabe1234]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 2:48am

i totally thought that adding a best replacement catagory was a good idea until i read the above articles. Think about how much money each show would lose if they had to give away that many tony voter tickets each year! And then again when a new replacement entered the show.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 8:32am

broadwaydevil - Excellent post especially about the logistics of trying to judge replacements.

[Will42]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 9:14am

Thank you for those links! Now I think it's probably for the best that it didn't happen.

[binau]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 9:18am

" Do all 700+ Tony voters need to see every single Broadway show every single time someone gets replaced? They'd have to revisit shows like Phantom, Chicago, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, etc. five or more times per year, each and every time a featured or leading actor/actress changes over. "

No...the Tony voters would only need to see those who were nominated. If it was in the same category as new productions it could be only a couple if any.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/15/13 at 9:23am

I think they should be. Sierra Boggess should already have a tony award for being the Best Christine ever. Its criminal that Loni Ackerman doesn't have a nomination or an award for her Evita Performances. Just cause you originate the role doesn't necessarily make you the best at it. Many Broadway performers should be commended for there services to a particular role but I doubt we will see that category anytime soon.

Updated On: 6/15/13 at 09:23 AM