Actors' Equity Launches Campaign For Tony Awards Categories To Recognize Broadway Ensembles

[BroadwayConcierge]

LOL. No.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Actors-Equity-Launches-Campaign-For-Tony-Awards-Categories-To-Recognize-Broadway-Ensembles-20180411

[IdinaBellFoster]

I think this is a stretch. What would be more interesting would be a "Best Ensemble of a Play/Musical" Tony that perhaps went to the production as a whole or the casting director. But any idea that has the recipient be the entire cast is a lost cause. Takes away the prestige of the award.  

[Kad]

Why "LOL No"? This is something that comes up not infrequently on awards discussions here.

[BroadwayConcierge]

The whole thing makes absolutely no sense to me. I fully agree that ensemble members are often the hardest-working people on Broadway, but that really warrants giving everybody a Tony Award?!

I see the ensemble's Tony "victory" in winning Best Musical/Play or Best Revival of a Musical/Play. Ensembles play a tremendous part in making a production whole, and if they win that prize, they then get to say they were part of the Tony Award-winning production of XYZ.

This idea is just so stupid. Prizes for everybody. Sheesh.

[InnerMonologue]

I agree, I would love these ensembles to be better honored for their hard work, but can you imagine how many more actors being billed as "Tony Award nominee/winner..."? There's gotta be a better way! :/

[qolbinau]

It’s the Tony participation award. Just stop it. Right now. Stop taking pictures.

[jacobsnchz14]

Where's the casting director Tony Award? Or something similar to casting/creating the ensemble considered "the best"? Where's musical direction?

[UncleCharlie]

Not everyone in the chorus or ensemble is giving the same level of performance, yet they all would get a Tony nomination/award cause there is no way to distinguish between performers or exclude anyone. Why not scrap awards and just give everyone participation trophies so no one feels left out. It works with 7 year olds so they aren't sad or disappointed in little league or pop warner football. It can work here.

[Markecib]

I rather see a distinction in Best Musical/Play and Best Production of a Musical/Play. One would award the show creators and the other the production.

[ChildofEarth]

RANDOM QUEEN IN KINKY BOOTS - YOU GET A TONY! DANCING ANCHOVIES - YOU GET A TONY! PERSON CLUB DANCING IN GREAT COMET - YOU GET A TONY....

The only situations I see this working well are in rare cases like Come From Away where no one is a "lead" and everyone has about equal time. And then they all have to deserve a Tony...

[bwaylyric]

And the Tony goes to... the chorus of Rocktopia!

[qolbinau]

Can we have a Tony Award for best Jazz Hands? Or perhaps I'd love an audience Tony Award - whoever can shout YASSS QUEEEN the loudest when Bernadette walks down the staircase in Dolly.

[Bwayfan292]

Tony awards are supposed to be special for the actors and actresses who worked their way up to supporting or lead roles. Why bother when everyone gets an award. I love ensembles they work hard, but are we literally gonna give everyone one?

[Wayman_Wong]

Awards are meant to recognize special and singular achievements. Getting nominated is an honor, and not everyone worthy even gets nominated. A Tony nomination should not be treated like a participation medal that every school kid gets.

[ChildofEarth]

It just seems so silly to me, and truly like a participation award. Can you imagine, for example, the ensemble of Hamilton each having a Tony for their work but Chris Jackson not? It’s laughable.

[CurtainPullDowner]

This already exists. It is awarded at a later date.

[ren598]

I still like the idea of having one award for best replacement (play or musical, lead or featured, male or female).  How awesome would it be to have Bernadette Peters (Hello Dolly), Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen), Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Sara Bareilles (Waitress) competing against each other.

[bdn223]

ren598 said: "I still like the idea of having oneaward for best replacement (play or musical, lead or featured, male or female). How awesome would it be to have Bernadette Peters (Hello Dolly), Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen), Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Sara Bareilles (Waitress) competing against each other."

There has been discussion of such an award in the past, but logistically speaking it just isnt possible. Lets say there are 20 long running shows open in a season, and each has a average of 5 principal cast members, who are on standard 6 month contracts and then are replaced with a new actor. This would add up to 200 different performances to be considered. This also doesn’t take into account 1-3 month stunt castings. Would producers be willing to give away tickets to all of these performances? Add to that would it be up to the producers or the actor to request consideration? 

Bernadette Peters has always been at the center of these discussions because they first arose when reba replaced her in Annie Get Your Gun. Then again when she replaced Catherine Zeta Jones in A Little Night Music. 

[trpguyy]

I couldn't think of anything better for a struggling labor union with limited resources to be focusing their attention on. 

[SonofRobbieJ]

Kad said: "Why "LOL No"? This is something that comes up not infrequently on awards discussions here."

This has been advocated on this board by posters since the inception of BroadwayWorld.  But NOW it's an issue?  Jesus Mary and Good St. Joseph, y'all be a difficult bunch.  

[Kad]

Y'all realize that SAG rewards casts, right? And stunt ensembles.

[Kad]

If every producer is eligible to receive an award for best production- sometimes dozens of people- I don't see why a performing ensemble receiving recognition in an appropriate category is so laughable.

[BroadwayConcierge]

To me at least, a Tony is far more prestigious than a SAG Award.

[JSquared2]

BroadwayConcierge said: "To me at least, a Tony is far more prestigious than a SAG Award."

That's great for you.  But for a SAG Award winner --- probably not so much...

 

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

ren598 said: "I still like the idea of having oneaward for best replacement (play or musical, lead or featured, male or female). How awesome would it be to have Bernadette Peters (Hello Dolly), Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen), Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Sara Bareilles (Waitress) competing against each other."

To me, the notion of a Best Replacement Tony undermines the new creative development that an actor takes on when they originate a role in a new production (including those in a new revival). Working with creatives and the text by itself is a bigger beast than coming into an already-running production, IMO. I think people underestimate how much work goes into crafting a role in a new production.