Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:37pm
Why isn't there a tony award for best play writer?
Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:39pm
The Tony Award for Best Play is awarded to both the producers of a show, as well as the playwright(s)/author(s) of that show.
Updated On: 10/17/15 at 05:39 PM
Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:49pm
BroadwayConcierge said: "The Tony Award for Best Play is awarded to both the producers of a show, as well as the playwright(s)/author(s) of that show.
why not have one
Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:54pm
Jabere said: "why not have one"
?
Updated On: 10/17/15 at 05:54 PM
Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:22pm
Because the Tony committee doesn't want a separate award for that.
Why? Who the hell knows.
Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:28pm
Totally agree with the OP's sentiment. That award should definitely exist.
Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:40pm
I also agree there should be an award for writers. Because some Broadway plays are great on paper, but through flawed design, direction or acting, something doesn't work. There are also some plays where the material is really great, and the other aspects of the production are better because of it. With every play, you have to start somewhere, and the place to start with is the words the writer has put on the page.
Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:47pm
It usually only takes one person to write a play. A lot more work goes into writing a musical, which is why they have separate categories for Book and Score.
Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:49pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "It usually only takes one person to write a play. A lot more work goes into writing a musical, which is why they have separate categories for Book and Score.
"
Ah !!! That makes Sense
Posted: 10/17/15 at 7:46pm
But the playwright still shares the award with the producers.
Posted: 10/17/15 at 7:52pm
They used to be separate categories - Best Play and Best Production ornsomething like that - before they were combined into one many years ago. My assumption (with no research) was the same plays were always winning both awards so they were combined. I could be wrong though, just a theory.
Posted: 10/17/15 at 8:01pm
As a previous poster stated they used to be separate categories but it created confusion among what was the real best play of the season. Even though the awards often went to the same play. What is the difference between the best written play and the best production of a play to the general public? Musicals on the other hand have more cooks in the kitchen and the general public understands that. When they discontinued the awards I dont think they forsaw the flux of spectacle driven plays that have recently competed and sometimes won (The 39 Steps, War Horse, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night Time).
Posted: 10/17/15 at 8:24pm
Movies have a best screenplay and a best picture. You can have a great production based on ok writing and an ok production based on great writing. I think it would be nice for the Tonys to acknowledge the playwrights separately.
