For what it's worth, the Outer Critics Circle nominated ''New York, New York'' for Score, but the Drama Desk did not nominate it for Outstanding Lyrics OR Music.
Of all the Tony categories, Score has probably seen the most changes. In 1996, they ruled the 4 trunk songs by Rodgers & Hammerstein, and used in the new revival of ''State Fair'' COULD be eligible for Score. Producer David Merrick threatened to sue the Tonys unless it ruled that the original songs from the 1945 and 1962 songs from the film versions of ''State Fair'' could ALSO be Tony eligible. But a judge denied Merrick's request. Anyway, it was moot. ''State Fair'' had no shot at beating ''Rent.''
In 2003, ''Urban Cowboy'' opened with a hybrid score of original songs (including some by Jason Robert Brown) and country music hits (by Clint Black, Charlie Daniels, etc.). The Tonys originally ruled it was ineligible. When the show proved that more than 50% of the music was original, the Tonys ruled it WAS eligible. Plus, it said even all the pre-existing country hits were eligible, too.
In the face of more movie musicals being adapted for Broadway, the Tonys came up with a compromise that the score needs to be at least 50% new. Ever since, I believe only one such hybrid score has won the Tony: Jack Feldman and Alan Menken's ''Newsies,'' which features toe-tapping original tunes from the 1992 movie AND new ones specifically written for the 2012 Broadway show.
Updated On: 4/30/23 at 03:04 AM
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