Tony Award for Best "script" of a play?

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 2:55am

I was slightly horrified tonight watching the award for Best Play being presented and accepted tonight firstly by the producer of the play Scott Rudin, who rather hogged the spotlight allowing playwright Stephen Karam only a brief moment to speak.  I understand that the producers traditionally collect the Best Play and Musical prize, but where does that leave the playwright? The score and book of a musical get their own honor, so why does the playwright not get his own award?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 3:04am

I thought it always used to be the playwright that collected the Tony. I don't recall the producer ever getting to collect the prize for a new play. Am I remembering incorrectly, or is this a relatively new thing? 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 5:50am

Technically it's the producer, put usually shared with the writer.  T his conversation comes up all time, and I couldn't agree more!

Updated On: 6/13/16 at 05:50 AM

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 10:47am

Best play and best production of a play should be separate awards. Why do the TONY powers that be not get this? 

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:09am

I completely agree with this. I understand that this is why the musical categories have a Best Book and Best Musical award so that both the author and producers can revel in the glory, but when it comes to Best Play, the award should go to the playwright. I remember back when Red won Best Play in 2010, John Logan (the author) accepted the award. That's how it still should be today.

[Esther Blodgett]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:13am

At least the protocol used to be that the Best Play Tony is awarded to the playwright and producer. However Alex Cohen would explain and emphasize to the audience prior to the broadcast that the playwright was to speak first followed by the producer.

 

If this is still the protocol then Scott Rudin did indeed trump (pun intended) Stephen Karam.

 

I hope the Dramatists Guild raises Holy Hell with Rudin and does so publicly.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:17am

It's certainly a nice idea in theory, but how often (if ever) would the two awards ever differ? Maybe Perhaps in 2011 when a play like War Horse won, where it's clearly more about production than the writing. But it would be so rare that I don't think it makes much. It makes more sense just to award the Best Play Tony to the playwright and producer.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:21am

I'm not sure about that TalkinLoud -- I think there are a number of instances in which the production of a play and the script of a play might differ in the eyes of voters. Just as the best book of a musical doesn't always go to the Best Musical winner.  But my real chide here is that the playwright -- arguably the entire backbone of the what theatre is - doesn't get proper recognition from this awards body.  Perhaps it would be as simple as the Tony Award committee establishing a rule that the "Best Play" author gets to speak first and assuming the broadcast budgets enough time for two speeches - the producer speaks secondly.

As it appeared last night it made the contribution of the PLAYWRIGHT look really insignificant.  Not acceptable.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:25am

TalkinLoud said: "It's certainly a nice idea in theory, but how often (if ever) would the two awards ever differ? Maybe Perhaps in 2011 when a play like War Horse won, where it's clearly more about production than the writing. But it would be so rare that I don't think it makes much. It makes more sense just to award the Best Play Tony to the playwright and producer."

 

I'm with you.

 

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:40am

2010 was a strong year for plays but I certainly thought Next Fall was the stronger script while Red was the stronger production. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:43am

Actually, BOTH the playwright and the head producer(s) receive the award. They are co-winners. 

I think the reason for doing this differently than musicals is because some might argue that a musical can have a great book and score, but due to direction, choreography, and design still not be as much of a overall theatrical achievement as another (think Ragtime vs. The Lion King). However, plays often fail or succeed on the playwright's script. If it's a well-written script, it's mostly up to the director, designers, and actors to not screw it up. That said, highly theatrical non-realism plays (i.e. Curious Incident), are, I have to admit, exceptions to this.

It's an imperfect way of doing it but hey, arts awards are stupid anyway.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 12:00pm

I still think its stupid that the playwright doesn't get his or her own award.  The playwright shouldn't have to share a Tony with anyone.  

That said, there are definitely things the ceremony can do to validate the contribution of the author. Would it really be so difficult when announcing the winner to also say the name of the playwright? i.e The winner is "The Humans by Stephen Karam?" No wonder estates are fighting more and more to have the author's name "As" part of the title.

Updated On: 6/13/16 at 12:00 PM