2019 Tony Award Nominations and Snubs — Page 9

"The TKAM snub is laughable."

I share your disapproval, but I don't think it's laughable. I think it's dismal.

"Its such an obvious attempt at making some sort of statement, its pathetic."

Yes, it's making several statements, none of them admirable.

You have to remember too the intoxicating nature of power, and how the ego is fueled by it. Some people granted power just love to show the world just who's the boss, especially if they can stick it to some big cheese.

I also noted with interest that the two most egregious snubs --- for To Kill a Mockingbird and Glenda Jackson --- were both strong contenders to win the awards in their respective categories had they been nominated. But they weren't. Some people are scratching their heads why.

I'm not.

Updated On: 5/2/19 at 08:46 AM

Remember the Tony Nominating Committee consists of ~50 people compared to the over 800 Tony voters.

Before voting, there is a 2 hour open discussion among the members of the nominating committee and I don't think any of us will ever know what was discussed unless we were in that room where it happens.

In each category where there are 5 nominees (like Best Play), each member has to vote 5 different plays and the 5 plays that get the most votes get nominated. Simply put, Mockingbird didn't place in the top 5 for this season. If Mockingbird did place in the top 5 then it would have been nominated and as we all know, producers of shows will do their best to woo/dine/influence Tony voters during the month of May.... and I can see Rudin schmooze with the voters and try to get their votes for Mockingbird had the play been nominated; which may or may not increase the likelihood of the play winning.

I don't think there were any special events by producers that catered specifically to members of the nominating committee that may have influenced their vote.

Wick3 said: "I don't think there were any special events by producers that catered specifically to members of the nominating committee that may have influenced their vote."

I believe it's illegal to "campaign" the nominators (unlike the events for voters).

dramamama611 said: "Yes, there are (now) very strict guidelines of what can be sent to the voters. I BELIEVE it's only a copy of the script and a recording? (Maybe video clips as well?)"

Those restrictions were lifted several seasons ago. Anything goes now for voters. For nominators, you can't send them anything.

Again, I get why it's a surprise but I don't think it's unfathomable that the nominators just didn't want to put Mockingbird in Best Play. It got good reviews but The Ferryman/Constitution's were better and Choir Boy was on the same level, it's an adaptation of a well-loved work so it's not necessarily "wholly" original, and it's not like it was immune to criticism throughout the season. A lot of prominent people, including Jesse Green talked about how it was very much "white liberal feel good about yourself" theatre, which I don't disagree with. Compared to the 5 nominees which are all very original and in a lot of ways more thought provoking, I can see why it would get left out here while still lauded for its design elements/acting.

<<edited by BWW staff>>

Updated On: 5/2/19 at 03:13 PM

"Again, I get why it's a surprise but I don't think it's unfathomable that the nominators just didn't want to put Mockingbird in Best Play. ... Compared to the 5 nominees which are all very original and in a lot of ways more thought provoking, I can see why it would get left out here while still lauded for its design elements/acting."



If its omission was so obviously deserved, then why do you get that it's a surprise? It shouldn't be a surprise at all.

JDonaghy4 said: "Could not agree more with the above.

The TKAM snub is laughable. Its such an obvious attempt at making some sort of statement, its pathetic. And while I dont doubt Scott Rudin is difficult/obnoxious/tough, he brings fantastic works to the stage, gives opportunities and cash to many of the people we all support/love. The idea that Tony nominators would "punish him" (or Sorkin for an obnoxious interview) while they recognize the actors, director, music, production elements, etc., is simply childish and hurts the authenticity of the Tonys, not TKAM (which will continue to do gangbusters with New Yorkers based on ecstatic word of mouth, who could care less about this sorta thing)."

He brings opportunities to Broadway, and used his considerable resources to stifle opportunities at dozens of community and smaller professional theaters across the country in a bizarrely hostile attempt to bolster his production's opportunity to make even more money.

Smacking him down- and let's face it, this is barely even a slap on the wrist considering how well the show did otherwise- is well-deserved, particularly when the Tonys do things like, y'know, regularly award regional theaters.

dphibbs94 said: "Regarding the To Kill a Mockingbird snub.

Remember back when Scott Rudin was shutting down productions because he had the sole rights to the show? It seems like a united front from the nominating committee to ensure that he isn't recognized for his work on the show. The only way Scott Rudin gets an award and recognition is if the show wins best play. It's unheard of that it can get an original score nomination, but not best play. It was definitely a united front against Scott Rudin."

Yes, a united front against Scott Rudin completely explains why instead of nominating Mockingbird they nominated Gary which was produced by.....Scott Rudin.

JSquared2 said: "dphibbs94 said: "Regarding the To Kill a Mockingbird snub.
Remember back when Scott Rudin was shutting down productions because he had the sole rights to the show? It seems like a united front from the nominating committee to ensure that he isn't recognized for his work on the show. The only way Scott Rudin gets an award and recognition is if the show wins best play. It's unheard of that it can get an original score nomination, but not best play. It was definitely a united front against Scott Rudin."



Funny, usually I would need to go to the comments section of the Fox News FB page to see a posting as uninformed as yours!"

Not really sure how it’s an uninformed post. There is a group of nominators who were either impacted or likely know someone who was impacted by Rudin’s shutdown of other productions. The Tonys have always been very political and this is the first major snub in recent years that is a direct result of that.

I know this has been mentioned a few times and has been met with loud opposition, but the more days that pass I believe "The Prom" is going to pull an upset for Best Musical. The cast performed on Colbert, The View, and released the Kenneth Cole Stonewall at 50 ad campaign all in the past couple of days. I've not seen anything for Hadestown since performing on Kelly and Ryan. Don't mistake me - I think "Hadestown" should win, but I think that "The Prom" is gaining steam. It, like Hadestown, has the appeal of being an original musical. I don't know the last time the 3 top prizes would go to 3 different shows, though.

theblackumbrella said: "I know this has been mentioned a few times and has been met with loud opposition, but the more days that pass I believe "The Prom" is going to pull an upset for Best Musical. The cast performed on Colbert, The View, and released the Kenneth Cole Stonewall at 50 ad campaign all in the past couple of days. I've not seen anything for Hadestown since performing on Kelly and Ryan. Don't mistake me - I think "Hadestown" should win, but I think that "The Prom" is gaining steam. It, like Hadestown, has the appeal of being an original musical. I don't know the last time the 3 top prizes would go to 3 different shows, though."

I wouldn't at all be surprised at this point if The Prom takes Best Musical. I'm still predicting Hadestown, but there definitely seems to be a ton of momentum building for The Prom. Most people seem to agree that Hadestown has a lot more standout individual elements, but when it comes to which show they just love the most overall, The Prom has a ton of support. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if The Prom makes history as the first show to win only Best Musical, with Hadestown and Tootsie each winning multiple other awards but not the big prize. (And to answer your question, not sure which 3 top prizes you're referring to, but if it's Musical, Actor and Actress, then 2014 if you count revivals (Musical-Gentleman's Guide, Actor-NPH for Hedwig, Actress Jessie Mueller for Beautiful) and 2007 if you only count new musicals (Musical-Spring Awakening, Actor-David Hyde Pierce for Curtains and Actress-Christine Ebersole for Grey Gardens).

Maybe the songs have to be experienced within the context of the show, but neither the OBCR nor these isolated performances make me think that The Prom will pull an upset on Tony night. I cringed a few times watching this. Of course if it was expected, it wouldn’t be an upset:

https://www.broadway.com/buzz/195982/stars-of-tony-nominated-musical-the-prom-sing-you-happened-on-the-view/

Updated On: 5/31/19 at 01:41 AM