NY Times: Who Says You Can’t Give Tony Awards in an Abbreviated Season?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/31/20 at 8:43pm

Just leaving this here.
 

Updated On: 3/31/20 at 08:43 PM

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 3/31/20 at 9:32pm

It does seem there are many options except for Best Musical Revival. I did not realize that one of my favorite actresses Mare Winningham sang.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/31/20 at 9:41pm

I think they should just do it.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/1/20 at 8:34am

Enjoyed the article and why not have Tony Awards when it is deemed safe to have them.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 4/1/20 at 11:34am

They should definitely have Tony’s in some capacity.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 4/1/20 at 12:18pm

I do agree that this season should be considered over since shows won't open until the fall. Why just not do when the Olivier's were originally going to do and announce the winners online?

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 4/1/20 at 1:17pm

^

Olivier is boring. We live for the spectacle of it all and we can wait until it properly happens. You really want to deny us our only yearly gala evening? That's like denying the Jellicle Ball. People get declawed for that.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/2/20 at 12:10am

This abbreviated season has been better than a number of full seasons. There are excellent candidates in a number of categories. For example, any season whose nominees for play include The Sound Inside, Slave Play, Linda Vista, and the 2 part play that was at the Barrymore (senior moment) would already be considered an excellent season. I realize that not every category would be filled; so what...have fewer nominees, like when Sunset Blvd beat Smoky Joe’s Cafe, the only other nominee.

[Damiensta]

Posted: 4/2/20 at 3:06pm

Doesn’t it all depends on what voters got to see. I assume shows that run were over were seen by voters. Depends on shows that had open before shut down n weren’t seen by voters

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/2/20 at 11:44pm

Decades ago the Emmys eliminated the nominations process for one year and simply identified winners that were selected 'somehow' (blue ribbon panel???).  It made for a very boring show, particularly given that some of the biggest winners were not in attendance, e.g., Kathering Hepburn and Lawrence Olivier and I even think Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne (but that could also have been from another program).  On the other hand, people who were deemed award worthy were rewarded.  I think something like that should be done.

I certainly think the following would be at least nominees, possibly serious contenders (and often a winner) in many seasons:

Moulin Rouge: Musical, director, choreographer, sets, costumes, lighting, sound

Slave Play: Play, director, multiple featured performances, in particular Paul Alexander Nolan and the woman who played his wife, who was magnificent and whose name I do not know by heart yet

The Sound Inside: play, director, actress, featured actor

Tina: Lead Actress

The Inheritance: (I did not see this one, but just based on what I have read: Play, director, multiple featured performances

Random (whether you liked the play or not): Jane Alexander and Eileen Atkins

Girl From the North Country: Musical, direction, book, best Featured Actress (specifically, Mare Winningham)

And, there are clearly others:the 1st majority of the WSS reviews were raves, whether the Times liked it or not,

I say setup a panel to actually hand out awards for excellence.  Maybe identify a group of X candidates that cover all categories (maybe some categories would not have a single nominee, while others might be full, even in a short season).  Have the show itself identify those recognized for excellence (sort of the nominees), single out a subset for actual Tony's.  Have the show be 90% GREAT ENTERTAINMENT, with the best numbers from many musicals, including those that have been open for years.  Consider:

-- Lion King: the opening number (even a second time, no one will be disappointed)

-- Chicago: All That Jazz or Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag or I Simply Cannot Do it Alone

-- Company (Assuming it is open): The Ladies Who Lunch or Not Getting Married Today

-- Tina: Whatever THE BEST number is, per audience reaction

-- Moulin Rouge: Bad Romance or the opening number 

-- West Side Story: pick a number to which the audience reacts most strongly

and etc.

-- Considering doing a scene from TKAM that can convey the power of the show, although in only 5 - 6 minutes (if that is possible).

I think it could be a show with better than average entertainment value (because every number can be great) and with winners who would actually deserve serious consideration in any year.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/2/20 at 11:46pm

Decades ago the Emmys eliminated the nominations process for one year and simply identified winners that were selected 'somehow' (blue ribbon panel???).  It made for a very boring show, particularly given that some of the biggest winners were not in attendance, e.g., Kathering Hepburn and Lawrence Olivier and I even think Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne (but that could also have been from another program).  On the other hand, people who were deemed award worthy were rewarded.  I think something like that should be done.

I certainly think the following would be at least nominees, possibly serious contenders (and often a winner) in many seasons:

Moulin Rouge: Musical, director, choreographer, sets, costumes, lighting, sound

Slave Play: Play, director, multiple featured performances, in particular Paul Alexander Nolan and the woman who played his wife, who was magnificent and whose name I do not know by heart yet

The Sound Inside: play, director, actress, featured actor

Tina: Lead Actress

The Inheritance: (I did not see this one, but just based on what I have read: Play, director, multiple featured performances

Random (whether you liked the play or not): Jane Alexander and Eileen Atkins

Girl From the North Country: Musical, direction, book, best Featured Actress (specifically, Mare Winningham)

And, there are clearly others:the 1st majority of the WSS reviews were raves, whether the Times liked it or not,

I say setup a panel to actually hand out awards for excellence.  Maybe identify a group of X candidates that cover all categories (maybe some categories would not have a single nominee, while others might be full, even in a short season).  Have the show itself identify those recognized for excellence (sort of the nominees), single out a subset for actual Tony's.  Have the show be 90% GREAT ENTERTAINMENT, with the best numbers from many musicals, including those that have been open for years.  Consider:

-- Lion King: the opening number (even a second time, no one will be disappointed)

-- Chicago: All That Jazz or Nowadays / Hot Honey Rag or I Simply Cannot Do it Alone

-- Company (Assuming it is open): The Ladies Who Lunch or Not Getting Married Today

-- Tina: Whatever THE BEST number is, per audience reaction

-- Moulin Rouge: Bad Romance or the opening number 

-- West Side Story: pick a number to which the audience reacts most strongly

and etc.

-- Considering doing a scene from TKAM that can convey the power of the show, although in only 5 - 6 minutes (if that is possible).

I think it could be a show with better than average entertainment value (because every number can be great) and with winners who would actually deserve serious consideration in any year.

PS -- The only shows eligible would have to have been opened; perhaps, previewing shows that were seen by most members of the selection committee could possibly be considered.