2020 Tony Awards

[MlleDaae]

Posted: 4/28/20 at 11:36pm

So far, all that's been announced is that they've been postponed. Last post I could find was in regards to eligibility back in January early February. Fast forward to now, which shows would even be nominated considering Broadway will be dark until June (most likely longer)? Which leads me to my next question:

Will 2020 have a Tony Awards at all?

This saddens me on a number of levels (one obviously being the sickness, death, and stress everyone's fighting through). On a smaller level, it's sad that such an iconic year from a numerical stand point (come on, "The 2020 Olympics" sounds bad ass) will appear as if it's been erased from all forms of human time keeping (ie yearly award ceremonies) other than the death and destruction that has occurred/still occurring. ...le sigh...

With that said, I hope you're all okay. Stay safe out there.

[Laurapattifan]

Posted: 4/28/20 at 11:43pm

I think it would be best to postpone them until next Spring. A 2019-2021 season. Unless they permanently host the Tonys in the Fall/Winter, the next season would only be from the Spring?

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 4/28/20 at 11:49pm

why would you combine seasons, why not take what there is and go on off that, the shows that opened followed all the rule.....and almost every other major nyc award ceremony is proceeding

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/29/20 at 12:14am

LightsOut90 said: "why would you combine seasons, why not take what there is and go on off that, the shows that opened followed all the rule.....and almost every other major nyc award ceremony is proceeding"

Just remember that even though some shows opened and were deemed eligible it doesn't mean that a significant enough number of the voters themselves actually saw them, especially for those that opened after New Year's. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/29/20 at 12:47am

LightsOut90 said: "almost every other major nyc award ceremony is proceeding"

 

The other awards include Off-Broadway, meaning they have dozens, if not hundreds of eligible productions stretching back all the way to last April. Compared to the Tonys, which by my count would have only 19 eligible productions if they were to proceed with them now. 

If Broadway doesn't re-open until January, as some have predicted, then I think it makes sense to combine seasons. Because we will have missed the 2nd half of this season, and the first half of next season, which might roughly equate to one full season's worth of shows. However, if Broadway re-opens in the fall, and we have a full fall season, then adding in this season's shows might make things a bit too crowded. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/29/20 at 12:49am

Even if by some miracle, Broadway does open this Fall, we’ll have far from a “full” season.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/29/20 at 1:00am

AEA AGMA SM said: "Just remember that even though some shows opened and were deemed eligible it doesn't mean that a significant enough number of the voters themselves actually saw them, especially for those that opened after New Year's."

 

Jordan Catlano said: "Even if by some miracle, Broadway does open this Fall, we’ll have far from a “full” season."

 

Good points, both of you. All the more reason for combining seasons. 

The big drawback from the producers' perspectives, I'd imagine, is that musicals like Six, Sing Street, and North Country, are really banking on the potential exposure from Tony noms, and Tony performances and (they hope) Tony wins. And if finances aren't good -- and they even less likely to be good now -- they may not be able to hobble along to next year's Tony awards. 

 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/29/20 at 9:15am

@JBroadway. I think you hit on the reason there will be Tonys-the marketing. Obviously it will be different in many ways but so is everything else on TV

 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 5/6/20 at 10:13pm

From Variety:

Will the Tonys Be Canceled? Broadway’s Biggest Night Might Not Happen in 2020 (EXCLUSIVE)

For the past seven decades, the show has always gone on for the Tony Awards, which honor the best Broadway performances and productions. But with the 74th edition being postponed from its planned June 7 date due to the coronavirus, there’s a real chance that the ceremony will be scrapped altogether this year, multiple sources tell Variety.

As the future of Broadway remains uncertain — with a deserted Times Square and tourists steering clear of Manhattan — insiders say that discussions by the committee that plans the Tonys have come to a “standstill.”

https://variety.com/2020/legit/news/will-the-tonys-be-canceled-in-2020-1234599091/

Updated On: 5/6/20 at 10:13 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/14/20 at 7:46pm

Just an FYI: On Tony night June 7, CBS has added a Grease Sing-a-Long to the schedule of its revived Sunday Night Movies franchise. The 1978 classic starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John will air at 8:30 p.m. June 7 and will feature sing-along lyrics for all the songs including “You’re the One That I Want,” “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning” and the chart-topping title track.

[BJR]

Posted: 5/15/20 at 9:59am

I was in the camp of saying there would definitely be a Tonys in 2020. But with the way this virus and gov't's response is going, there isn't any way theatre is starting in 2020 obviously.

*If* next spring is possible, as is the current hope and tentative plan, then maybe we could have almost the close of this season in April & May 2021? That would almost feel like a giant pause.

Of course, no one knows anything and all I'm saying now will sound stupid soon.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 5/15/20 at 10:20am

BJR said: "I was in the camp of saying there would definitely be a Tonys in 2020. But with the way this virus and gov't's response is going, there isn't any way theatre is starting in 2020 obviously.

*If* next spring is possible, as is the current hope and tentative plan, then maybe we could have almost the close of this season in April & May 2021? That would almost feel like a giant pause.

Of course, no one knows anything and all I'm saying now will sound stupid soon."

I think the issue with combining two seasons is that the shows that happened Summer and Fall of 2019 will be such a distant memory for voters by June 2021, that it would almost be a bit unfair to have them compete against the newer, opened shows.  We always have this issue as is, but now add another year in between (and what if, for instance, Jagged Little Pill never reopens and some of the voters hadn't gotten to see it yet?)  If Moulin Rouge, for instance, was still running, they could invite all the Tony voters back again, but what about Frankie and Johnny?  Not to mention, would Moulin Rouge want to comp 1500 people again after being closed for 6 months to a year?

[Kad]

Posted: 5/15/20 at 11:50am

...well, the actual truth is that had this season proceeded as normally, only a small handful of shows in the first half of the season had a realistic shot of even being nominated for anything.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 5/15/20 at 2:47pm

They're doing a Grease sing-along instead.

May I suggest instead doing literally anything else.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 6:12am

May I suggest you choose to not tune in? Why does everything have to come with criticism? I hate Grease...but I'm not going to begrudge those that love it, and lots will enjoy it.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 8:06am

LightsOut90 said: "why would you combine seasons, why not take what there is and go on off that, the shows that opened followed all the rule.....and almost every other major nyc award ceremony is proceeding"

It would be a good thing to do if next season, if it happens, is a short one.  It might even be that when one combines this season and the next it's either shorter or has less offerings than a standard season.

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 10:19am

There would be a few shows still to open next season(Six, Company, Flying Over Sunset, Diana, Mrs. Doubtfire, Plaza Suite), but it would be very limited. I still think we get the Tony's this year, just as a virtual ceremony.

[rg7759]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 4:29pm

let's be honest. given that no Musical that had an official opening is deserving of the trophy, let's just have the regular ceremony next year with the two full qualifying years. and hopefully Beetlejuice can remain in its theater.

[Dave13]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 4:50pm

If there are 2020 Tony Awards, it will be very weak. Only a handful of shows deserve a nomination and very few, if any, deserve to win a Tony.

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 5:06pm

Dave13 said: "If there are 2020 Tony Awards, it will be very weak. Only a handful of shows deserve a nomination and very few, if any, deserve to win a Tony."

Eh, I'd argue against that line of thinking. We have quite a few strong contenders for the Play acting categories (Mary Louise Parker, Joaquina Kalukango, Annie McNamara, Eileen Atkins, Lois Smith, Ian Barford, Paul Hilton, Andrew Burnap, Jane Alexander etc) that all gave, in my book, Tony worthy performances. And the competition between Slave Play and The Inheritance, while both deeply flawed shows exploring very interesting topics, is definitely more enticing than some of the more recent seasons for new plays.

There's also Lauren Patten, who regularly brought the house to its feet, giving a performance that I'm quite confident would win them the Tony Award even in the most packed of seasons.

There's Adrienne Warren, who would have given anyone a run for their money, making an abysmal and pedestrian musical not only an exhilarating experience- a must-see feat of raw ability.

The only category I'd say is depressing.in the Best Score award. I don't want to think about a world where Lightening Thief (especially that very boring score) is given that kind of recognition.

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 5:11pm

Falsettolands said: "Dave13 said: "If there are 2020 Tony Awards, it will be very weak. Only a handful of shows deserve a nomination and very few, if any, deserve to win a Tony."

Eh, I'd argue against that line of thinking. We have quite a few strong contenders for the Playacting categories (Mary Louise Parker, Joaquina Kalukango, Annie McNamara, Eileen Atkins, Lois Smith, Ian Barford, Paul Hilton, Andrew Burnap, Jane Alexander etc) that all gave, in my book, Tony worthy performances. And the competition between Slave Play and The Inheritance, while both deeply flawed shows exploring very interesting topics, is definitely more enticing than some of the more recent seasons for new plays.

There's also Lauren Patten, who regularly brought the house to its feet, giving a performance that I'm quite confident would win themthe Tony Award even in the most packed of seasons.

There's Adrienne Warren, who would have given anyone a run for their money, making an abysmal and pedestrian musical not only an exhilarating experience- a must-see feat of raw ability.

The only category I'd say is depressing.in the Best Score award. I don't want to think about a world where Lightening Thief (especially that very boring score) is given that kind of recognition."

Six was most likely to win Best Score, which would have made Marlow and Moss the youngest winners ever for that category. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 5:15pm

ElphabaGoodman said: "Falsettolands said: "Dave13 said: "If there are 2020 Tony Awards, it will be very weak. Only a handful of shows deserve a nomination and very few, if any, deserve to win a Tony."

Eh, I'd argue against that line of thinking. We have quite a few strong contenders for the Playacting categories (Mary Louise Parker, Joaquina Kalukango, Annie McNamara, Eileen Atkins, Lois Smith, Ian Barford, Paul Hilton, Andrew Burnap, Jane Alexander etc) that all gave, in my book, Tony worthy performances. And the competition between Slave Play and The Inheritance, while both deeply flawed shows exploring very interesting topics, is definitely more enticing than some of the more recent seasons for new plays.

There's also Lauren Patten, who regularly brought the house to its feet, giving a performance that I'm quite confident would win themthe Tony Award even in the most packed of seasons.

There's Adrienne Warren, who would have given anyone a run for their money, making an abysmal and pedestrian musical not only an exhilarating experience- a must-see feat of raw ability.

The only category I'd say is depressing.in the Best Score award. I don't want to think about a world where Lightening Thief (especially that very boring score) is given that kind of recognition."

Six was most likely to win Best Score, which would have made Marlow and Moss the youngest winners ever for that category."

I am referring specifically only to shows that are officially "open" before the shutdown. We have no way of knowing if Six would have won against Flying Over Sunset or anything that may have squeaked in before the end of April deadline.

Updated On: 5/16/20 at 05:15 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 7:55pm

Would it be cost prohibitive to, instead of Grease, do a best of the Tony Awards telecast? Would contracts need to be negotiated in order to broadcast past musical numbers?

Some of my favorites:

Dreamgirls

Rags

Vodka

 

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/16/20 at 11:20pm

Yes - It would be cost prohibitive because of the historically very low ratings of the Tony Awards.

CBS has been SO loyal to the arts - continuing to air the Tonys and the Kennedy Center Honors year after year despite decreasing ratings. I’ve been reading such stinging and harsh criticism of them recently and I’m astonished that the very community CBS supports is turning on them!

The Awards on June 7 have been cancelled, and while those of us close to the theater community know it to be Tony Sunday, the vast majority of TV viewers do not.

In this challenging business climate, with Ad dollars as at all time low, CBS needs to find programs that will bring in ratings - and drive revenue. Disney has had success with song-alongs recently, so this decision makes sense for CBS. Once the Tony Awards take place CBS will air them! And for that I am very grateful!

There hasn’t been criticism in this thread, but I have been so disappointed at the Tweets and posts I’ve been reading elsewhere on social media attacking CBS. Shame on all of those stars (including one former Disney Princess who shall go unnamed!).

[djoko84]

Posted: 5/17/20 at 12:09am

Broadway is not coming back until next year (we all know it) so why would they put on an awards show this year? The whole point of the Tonys is to sell tickets so obviously they're going to put it on after Broadway comes back in 2021. You can't celebrate live theatre with an awful Zoom telecast. Expect them to combine both seasons and have the Tonys next year.