In the lead-up to the Tonys, I always find NYT's "Who Will Win (and Who Should)" interesting, particularly the "Should Have Been Nominated" category, in which they will sometimes include non-eligible productions or performers. Looking back on the past season, I can think of a few notable Off-Broadway standouts; thus, I've decided to try out a list of my own. Of course I would love to hear your own choices and opinions as well (and feel free to include any of the Technical/Design categories).
BEST MUSICAL: Here We Are, Walk On Through
BEST PLAY: All The Devils Are Here, The Doctor, The Hunt
BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY: The Effect
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL: I Can Get It For You Wholesale
LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY: Tobias Menzies (The Hunt), Patrick Page (All The Devils Are Here), Josh Radnor (The Ally)
LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Juliette Stevenson (The Doctor), Diane Weist (Scene Partners)
LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Gavin Creel (Walk on Through)
LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Rachel Bay Jones (Here We Are), Ruthie Ann Miles (The Light in the Piazza), Hannah Cruz (The Connector)
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY: Josh Hamilton (Scene Partners)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Johanna Day (Scene Partners)
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Dennis O'Hare (Here We Are), Jin Ha (Here We Are), David Hyde Pierce (Here We Are), Fergie Philippe (The Connector)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Tracie Bennett (Here We Are), Michaela Diamond (Here We Are), Julia Lester (I Can Get It For You Wholesale), Jessica Molaskey (The Connector)
This is a great list, and just bums me out that the decision was made to withdraw Here We Are from all awards consideration. I think there were quite a number of elements in it that deserved to be honored.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Kad said: "This is a great list, and just bums me out that the decision was made to withdraw Here We Are from all awards consideration. I think there were quite a number of elements in it that deserved to be honored."
I was sort of bummed after I saw it because it was such an impressive production and because Rachel Bay Jones gave such a wonderful performance. But I’m actually fine with it now. Let other shows get their flowers without a Sondheim show, though less dependent on Sondheim, stealing their thunder. That decision feels consistent with how the producers and creatives went about the whole endeavor.
Awards are great but I'm still pinching myself that we even got to see a brand new Sondheim musical with that cast and in that production. And something that was so funny, satisfying and poignant. And then being able to see the stunning revival of "Merrily" the next night, and pop back over to London to see Bernadette sing "Send in the Clowns", read lines as dot and then perform a spectacular "Sunday". Sometimes I genuinely can't believe how lucky I am Being Alive.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
hearthemsing22 said: "Personally I just realized how upset I am that I don't think Gavin Creel got recognized for Walk on Through? It was a stunning performance by him."
One of the voting bodies- cannot remember which- included a statement with their nominations saying that Walk on Through did not make itself eligible for awards.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."