A tony award question.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:37pm

Why isn't there a tony award for best play writer?

[BroadwayConcierge]

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

[Jabere]

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

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 5:54pm

Jabere said: "why not have one"

 

?

Updated On: 10/17/15 at 05:54 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:22pm

Because the Tony committee doesn't want a separate award for that.

 

Why? Who the hell knows. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 6:28pm

Totally agree with the OP's sentiment. That award should definitely exist.

[JerseyBoy25]

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.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

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.

[Jabere]

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

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 7:46pm

But the playwright still shares the award with the producers. 

[Broadway Bob*]

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.

[bdn223]

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). 

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 10/17/15 at 8:05pm

War Horse is another one to add to that list. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

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.