2019 Tony Award Nominations and Snubs- Page 9

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 8:46am

"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

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 8:47am

I've seen both Stroker and Gray. I think overall Stroker is amazing but Gray deserves the win because of the sheer energy and charisma she brings to every scene she's in.

Also as cute as Stroker is Ado Annie is a very shallow character, even by secondary comic couple standards. Lois Lane, Carrie Pipperidge, Irene Malloy IMO are all more substantial characters than Ado Annie.

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 9:06am

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. 

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 9:24am

 "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"

 

Yes, obviously.

But the question is why.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 9:31am

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]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 10:19am

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?)

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 10:30am

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.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 10:31am

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?)"

I think that's just for nominators. A few years ago, the Bway League lifted the restrictions on what could be sent to voters -- you used to only be able to send a souvenir program sold in the theatre with full unedited quotes, a script, a cast recording, and a letter listing the nominees, and people would try to find loopholes.

[woeisme3]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 3:13pm

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

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 5:28pm

Overall, I think this is the least "butthurt" these boards have been over nominations that I can ever remember!  What a nice (albeit a tad boring) change!

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/2/19 at 10:10pm

"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.

[dphibbs94]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 11:27am

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. 

[Kad]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 11:48am

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. 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 11:52am

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!

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 11:55am

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.

[dphibbs94]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 3:18pm

Broadway61004 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."

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

I’m well aware that Scott Rudin produced Gary. It’s also a different production. My initial post was regarding Mockingbird exclusively. 

[dphibbs94]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 3:21pm

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. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/3/19 at 4:22pm

dphibbs94 said: "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 Tonyshave always been very political and this is the first major snub in recent years that is a direct result of that."

 

Sure, if you say so.

 

[theblackumbrella]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 3:56pm

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. 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 4:08pm

I like that The Prom’s humor comes from the heart. It’s sort of a love letter to musical theatre and the LGBT community. Whereas Tootsie feels so mechanical and by the book whose sole purpose is to make money.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 4:55pm

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).

[theblackumbrella]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 5:17pm

Sorry should've been more specific - I meant 3 big as musical, score, and book. Obviously the latter two aren't marquee pulls and often relegated to commercial breaks. I assume that Hadestown will take score no matter what - book is likely Tootsie with maybe the Prom and then musical being Hadestown or the Prom. The outcome referenced though would be each show taking 1 of those 3 prizes.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 5:46pm

I know the question has come up before, possibly even in this thread, but as I recall the last time that happened was 2005 when The Light in the Piazza won best score, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee won best book, and Spamalot won best musical.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 6:01pm

theblackumbrella said: "Sorry should've been more specific - I meant 3 big as musical, score, and book. Obviously the latter two aren't marquee pulls and often relegated to commercial breaks. I assume that Hadestown will take score no matter what - book is likely Tootsie with maybe the Prom and then musical being Hadestown or the Prom. The outcome referenced though would be each show taking 1 of those 3 prizes."

Ah, yes--in that case, yes, 2005 was the last time it happened (and it also happened in 2000, though not sure that really counts since Contact wasn't eligible for score).  And yes, I could 100% see the possibility of that happening this year as you stated above.  Will be interesting to see.....

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 5/31/19 at 1:41am

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