Unfortunately I have not been able to catch many plays this year, but that Mockingbird could tie in the most nominations for a play and still NOT be nominated for best play is just wow.
I honestly am taking this as a vindication of what actual theatre lovers have been saying all season - it's incredible, but Scott Rudin's handling of the rights doesn't deserve to be rewarded. They rewarded every single aspect of the show they could to show how wonderful it is - except the one award that goes to the producers! I mean it's slim chance they were thinking through this like I am, but I really hope that's what they were trying to say, because his behavior is despicable and if this is what they're saying, I am HERE for it.
Mister Matt said: "To Kill a Mockingbird received a score nomination over Be More Chill. Oof."
They were both nominated in the score category.
Thrilled for Pope in Choir Boy! I think these nominations are fine across the board, though Beetlejuice sneaking into the top categories is concerning for me (but well deserved in the tech categories).
People of already pretty much touched on all the snaps and surprises.
I will say I was hoping that Corbin Bleu and Stephanie Styles would sneak in, but I knew odds were against them.
I will say the Tony awards deserve less of a slipshod nomination ceremony. And Gayle King should not ever be allowed to host that again. I felt bad for Bebe and Victor having to abide some on that inane chattering and questioning.
I also teared up every time the Waverly Gallery got a nomination.
I understand the anti-Scott Rudin narrative, the winner of the Best Play award who gets to make the speech, generally, is the playwright. It's crazy that Aaron Sorkin this far along in his career has never been Tony nominated. Especially considering most film and TV critics seem to think of him as a playwright first.
I thought that The Cher Show would get more love this morning, and I expected less from Beetlejuice and Ain't Too Proud. Interesting that they nominated 5 Play Revivals and that Glenda Jackson couldn't get into any of the 6 Lead Actress slots. Robin De Jesus and Ruth Wilson are surprises for me, especially over LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Gbenga Akinnagbe.
I am still processing because WOW a LOT of shocking moments this year. I mean TKAM goes without saying as a "WAIT WHAT?!" moment. Especially with all the OTHER love it got. And on the musical front I am just totally shook over how much surprise love Beetlejuice got in musicals, but let's break down my big (MOSTLY MUSICAL CUS I DON'T FOLLOW PLAYS CLOSE ENOUGH) thoughts.
- Caitlin Kinnunen slipping into the 5th leading actress slot and knocking out Sophia and Rebecca. I knew it was gonna be up in the air for the last spot but I didn't really think it would be her.
- Even with all the Beetlejuice love, Leslie Kritzer gets knocked out by Lilli Cooper. Not upset or anything cus I love Lilli Cooper, just shocked as Kritzer was the one that I thought the stronger shot from Beetlejuice.
- Will Chase left out. Not shocked as I started to think it might not happen as I really thought about all the exciting performances from other actors this season while his is a good old fashioned standard.
- Jeremy Pope DOUBLE ACTING NOMINATIONS! Wow! Poof you can leave a show for another and still be remembered and honored. Wow. Also, knocking out Corbin Bleu which DOES make me a LITTLE sad.
- A 6th score slot going to TKAM and yet it STILL didn't get a Best Play nominations. What is this?!
- WAY more love to Beetlejuice then I EVER imagined and way more then I personally think it deserves. PERSONAL OPINION. And more love overall then I expected for Ain't Too Proud which I knew was gonna be a big getter but I didn't think it would be as big in the technical awards as it was.
- Shocked on the lack of Cher Show love. It was not a perfect show but I expected a LITTLE more then it got.
- Can we poor one out for Spencer Liff's amazing Head Over Heels choreography? I knew it was a long shot but I was hopeful.
- This is the bitter old timer in me, pardon me for a moment.... but I am drinking the delicious tears of the BMC Stans in my cereal this morning as it got pretty much exactly what I figured it was gonna and it's really lucky to have gotten Score considering that their were other strong play scores waiting in the wings to take it's spot. That was a "welcome to Broadway at last Joe" nomination. Fans that don't recognize that while they might love songthing they should also open their minds to other things as well get no pity from me this day as I stand atop Tony nomination mountain with my bro Hadestown.
So happy for Jeremy Pope!! Wow. Glad I had the chance to meet him at the Ain’t Too Proud stage door.
I’m surprised that American Son and Pretty Woman were shut out completely. I figured American Son would get lead actress and set design at least and Pretty Woman would get lead actress.
I’m sad I didn’t get to see The Ferryman with the original cast
I was hoping Lucas Hedges would have gotten nominated for The Waverly Gallery
Genuinely surprised about Beetlejuice. I didn’t hate it but I think some of the categories are a stretch.
Happy for all the fans of The Prom and also for Stephanie J Block
Jordan Catalano said: "FlyHigh523 said: "The lack of nominations for Be more chill... wow. Saw it and didn’t like it but I know lots of their teen fans are going to be upset"
Well, there’s no 12 year olds on the nominating committee, so..."
Lmao, exactly. I’m surprised it even got in for score. The tweens should be grateful for that.
TKAM strikes me as some strategic nonsense. "We loved the acting, the direction, the music! Just not the play." I liked Choir Boy and I didnt really like Ink or Gary, but in terms of structure and drama and wit- TKAM is not in the same league. Very, very strange.
Also makes me wonder if Celia Keenan Bolger (who I would give the Tony to in an instant) is a lock. Based on these nominations, I would think thats more likely to now go to Julie White.
Similarly, snubbing Vail and Rebecca Naomi Jones (the latter for Kullen and Noblezada, who were both totally pedestrian in my opinion) makes me wonder if Stroker's competition is stronger than I thought from Grey and Stiles.
Don't think I missed anything when I tallied them up but 25 different shows nominated. 10 musicals and 15 plays. All 10 musicals are still currently open but 10 of the 15 plays are still open.
Musicals 14 - Hadestown 12 - Ain't Too Proud 11 - Tootsie 8 - Beetlejuice 8 - Oklahoma 7 - The Prom 4 - Kiss, Me Kate 3 - Cher 3 - King Kong 1 - Be More Chill
Plays 9 - The Ferryman 9 - To Kill a Mockingbird 7 - Gary 6 - Ink 5 - Network 4 - Choir Boy 3 - All My Sons 3 - Burn This 2 - Bernhardt/Hamlet 2 - The Boys In The Band 2 - The Waverley Gallery 2 - Torch Song 2 - What the Constitution Means to Me 1 - Hillary and Clinton 1 - King Lear
Miles2Go2 said: "And Gayle King should not ever be allowed to host that again. I felt bad for Bebe and Victor having to abide some on that inane chattering and questioning."
Agreed. I found it widely inappropriate of her to ask them about the lack of Best Play nominations for Network and ...Mockingbird moments after reading the nominations; not the time or place.
- To Kill a Mockingbird got a score nom, but not a Best Play one? THE GAG OF THE SEASON!
- I can't believe they nominated six freakin' actresses (Janet McTeer!!!) but no Glenda Jackson and YET they nominated Ruth Wilson!! Love Ruth and it's funny that once again she's the sole nom of her show.
- Gary got EVERYTHING... but Nathan Lane, he must be pissed!!
- Sad that Joan Allen was left out, she broke my heart when I watched her!
- No nom for Tom Glynn-Carney? Wow! But very glad that two lovely musical actors got those play noms! Yay for Brandon!
I don't know that I have ever been more happy than when I saw Jeremy Pope's name twice. He absolutely deserves both nominations, but I would have never guessed that would happen in my wildest dreams. And same thing with Caitlin Kinnunen!
TheQuibbler said: "Miles2Go2 said: "And Gayle King should not ever be allowed to host that again. I felt bad for Bebe and Victor having to abide some on that inane chattering and questioning."
Agreed. I found it widely inappropriate of her to ask them about the lack of Best Play nominations forNetworkand...Mockingbirdmoments after reading the nominations; not the time or place."
Agreed. Couldn't believe she did that. Save that for discussion in the studio. She also created a very obvious uncomfortable momemt.