2014 Tonys to allow up to 5 nominees in major categories

http://variety.com/2014/legit/news/tony-awards-take-a-page-from-the-oscars-with-option-to-supersize-major-categories-1201120531/

This should be interesting.

Updated On: 2/25/14 at 04:20 PM

Yeah, I would imagine Variety is mistaken by mentioning that. The committee may be able to honor more nominees, but this shouldn't alter the "classics rule" that the Tonys have instated for forever.

This may allow for more nominees, but it shouldn't have an effect on the eligibility of shows like HEDWIG and VIOLET, which should (and would in any other season) be considered revivals.

Hedwig and Violet will be considered revivals unless the Tony's suddenly completely upend how they've been treating material for the past several years.

I like this idea a lot. And honestly, I think the Lead Acting categories could benefit from similar treatment. Wasn't there just a year where every Leading Actress in a Musical but one got nominated? And then there's this year which is jam-packed with leading female roles.

Unless my counts are wrong, there are 9 or more new plays and musicals and play revivals this year, so those will each have 4 or 5 nominees, and less than 9 musical revivals so that will have 3 or 4 (and 4's only if Cabaret even counts).

4 HOUR LONG TONY AWARDS

Yes! That's what I was thinking of. Thank you, jacobsnchz! Although now I'm wondering if they left it at 5, which of the two non-nominees would have made it.

It would have been Scott's slot (haha!) no doubt about it. Some argue that she should have been in over Leavel... I actually would have preferred it if it were just three - Foster, Miller, and Murphy. Why celebrate something if it's only satisfactory (nothing against Scott or Leavel, it was the material that was atrocious). I feel the same way about musical revivals.

While this idea is a 'nice' one, I think it takes away some of the competition/excitement of only having four nominees.

Baby It's You made Women on the Verge look like Gypsy.

This is awsome. There exactly 5 revivals opening ( if you include Violet and Hedwig) which means they all get a shot!??????????????????????????????

Since belle didn't read the article to catch the "when nine or more eligible productions are in a category" caveat, I'm not sure I trust the accuracy of their post.

I'm sure the producers of competing shows will be happy to have a fifth eligible slot for a nomination (and thus the possible boost that goes with it.) And the Tonys already put on the best Awards telecast going right now, with cast performances being a prominent feature in it... hopefully this just adds to their pot!

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