Does anyone think Shuffle Along might beat Hamilton for Best Musical?

[Randomlink1]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:31pm

I haven't seen either, but from the reviews I've heard of both, both shows are amazing. My case that Shuffle Along will win over Hamilton is mainly due to how producers and tony voters might sway it. Shuffle Along is certainly not as big as Hamilton, so producers may want to vote for that as best musical as it helps to both boosts sales on Broadway and on tour, something that I imagine Hamilton not having any trouble doing. And, the same with the showdown between Millie and Urinetown, the newer show beat out the older show, as even though Urinetown was agreed to be better in quality than Millie, as it won the awards for Best Book, Best Score, and Best Direction, Millie won the big award. Why? Well, Urinetown came out in September, so it was hyped a lot, much like Hamilton. And, since Millie would do better on tour than Urinetown, with or without the tony, Producers instead voted to give the award to Millie.

Thoughts?

Updated On: 4/30/16 at 12:31 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:32pm

No.

[UrNotAMachine]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:33pm

It's not likely. Urinetown was nowhere near the juggernaut that Hamilton is. I don't think it's a very apt comparison.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:35pm

Shuffle Allong isn't eligible for score and I've heard bad things about the book so the comparison with Urinetown isn't apropos.

[Randomlink1]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:35pm

UrNotAMachine said: "It's not likely. Urinetown was nowhere near the juggernaut that Hamilton is. I don't think it's a very apt comparison.

 

"

I understand that. I know its not totally airtight logic, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Producers might want to find some way to boost Shuffle Along, and some tony voters might be sick of Hamilton is my point. I was using Urinetown as an example of how sometimes shows that are better in quality don't always win the tony.

 

[bekk99]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:36pm

Nope.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:41pm

It's not their concern to "boost" sales along.  At all.  It's their job to vote based on what they believe is the best show from the nominated choices.  

 

 

[Randomlink1]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:43pm

dramamama611 said: "It's not their concern to "boost" sales along.  At all.  It's their job to vote based on what they believe is the best show from the nominated choices.  

 

 

 

"

Keep in mind though that if a lot of them are involved with a certain show, they might be swayed to vote for the show they're in. After all, a lot of people agree that the Tony Awards gurantee a boost in sales, and a lot of Tony voters are involved in the eligible shows.

 

[FlySkyHigh]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:50pm

Anyway you look at it, Hamilton is going to win best book and score, as it should. However, I am curious to see how the nominations shake out. I think Shuffle Along will give Hamilton a run for their money in that department. Even if Hamilton still gets the most nominations (and they probably will), I think Shuffle along will put a dent  in the amount they could have scored; particularly in the acting categories. My best guess is that Groff and Jackson will be pushed out of the featured actor race. Daveed Digs is the only safe bet.

[Randomlink1]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:52pm

FlySkyHigh said: "Anyway you look at it, Hamilton is going to win best book and score, as it should. However, I am curious to see how the nominations shake out. I think Shuffle Along will give Hamilton a run for their money in that department. Even if Hamilton still gets the most nominations (and they probably will), I think Shuffle along will put a dent  in the amount they could have scored; particularly in the acting categories. My best guess is that Groff and Jackson will be pushed out of the featured actor race. Daveed Digs is the only safe bet.

 

"

I have no doubts that Hamilton will at least win Best Book and Best Score. That there's no contest. I think a more appropriate title might've been "Does anyone think Shuffle Along might beat out Hamilton for Best Musical this year?" (I'm going to change it)

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:53pm

URINETOWN has a better chance of winning Best Musical this year than HAMILTON not winning. 

[Anakela]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:53pm

"And, since Millie would do better on tour than Urinetown, with or without the tony, Producers instead voted to give the award to Millie.

Thoughts?"

I'm missing something here. Hamilton = Urinetown and Shuffle Along = Millie in this analogy of yours, right? So because Shuffle Along will do better on tour than Hamilton, that is why the voters will award Best Musical to Shuffle Along? 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:55pm

...The pool of Tony voters is not made up of whoever is currently performing in shows.

[Randomlink1]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:56pm

Anakela said: ""And, since Millie would do better on tour than Urinetown, with or without the tony, Producers instead voted to give the award to Millie.

Thoughts?"

I'm missing something here. Hamilton = Urinetown and Shuffle Along = Millie in this analogy of yours, right? So because Shuffle Along will do better on tour than Hamilton, that is why the voters will award Best Musical to Shuffle Along? 

 

"

I'm just saying Producers might want to boost sales for Shuffle Along something Hamilton does not need. It makes better sense to me, but I understand why people are confused.

 

[FlySkyHigh]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:57pm

Randomlink1 said: "FlySkyHigh said: "Anyway you look at it, Hamilton is going to win best book and score, as it should. However, I am curious to see how the nominations shake out. I think Shuffle Along will give Hamilton a run for their money in that department. Even if Hamilton still gets the most nominations (and they probably will), I think Shuffle along will put a dent  in the amount they could have scored; particularly in the acting categories. My best guess is that Groff and Jackson will be pushed out of the featured actor race. Daveed Digs is the only safe bet.

 

"

I have no doubts that Hamilton will at least win Best Book and Best Score. That there's no contest. I think a more appropriate title might've been "Does anyone think Shuffle Along might beat out Hamilton for Best Musical this year?" (I'm going to change it)

 

 

"

Not necessary. I meant best musical but for some reason I had book and score on my mind and typed that. Sorry!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 12:58pm

I do, I think Shuffle Along will take the top prize..

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 1:05pm

Can you imagine the response within the theater community, and on these boards, if that did happen?

I saw both.  And loved both.  But both very different.

It won't happen, but if it did...I wouldn't be disappointed.    Hamilton has it in the cards when it comes to a very long term engagement anyway.  A SA win wouldn't change that.

 

rosscoe(au) said: "I do, I think Shuffle Along will take the top prize..

 

"

 

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 1:13pm

Randomlink1 said: "I haven't seen either, but from the reviews I've heard of both, both shows are amazing. My case that Shuffle Along will win over Hamilton is mainly due to how producers and tony voters might sway it. Shuffle Along is certainly not as big as Hamilton, so producers may want to vote for that as best musical as it helps to both boosts sales on Broadway and on tour, something that I imagine Hamilton not having any trouble doing. And, the same with the showdown between Millie and Urinetown, the newer show beat out the older show, as even though Urinetown was agreed to be better in quality than Millie, as it won the awards for Best Book, Best Score, and Best Direction, Millie won the big award. Why? Well, Urinetown came out in September, so it was hyped a lot, much like Hamilton. And, since Millie would do better on tour than Urinetown, with or without the tony, Producers instead voted to give the award to Millie.

Thoughts?"

 

I've seen both and loved both, but I really don't think so.  Hamilton is just the total package, in my opinion.  The story is tight, the performances resonate, the music is varied and wonderful, the choreography and lighting meld with the whole.  It's just a really great show. 

By contrast, Shuffle Along has really great things about it (as I said, I really unabashedly loved it), but it's just not as much of a cohesive whole.

 

[Randomlink1]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 1:15pm

rebeccmam31 said: "Randomlink1 said: "I haven't seen either, but from the reviews I've heard of both, both shows are amazing. My case that Shuffle Along will win over Hamilton is mainly due to how producers and tony voters might sway it. Shuffle Along is certainly not as big as Hamilton, so producers may want to vote for that as best musical as it helps to both boosts sales on Broadway and on tour, something that I imagine Hamilton not having any trouble doing. And, the same with the showdown between Millie and Urinetown, the newer show beat out the older show, as even though Urinetown was agreed to be better in quality than Millie, as it won the awards for Best Book, Best Score, and Best Direction, Millie won the big award. Why? Well, Urinetown came out in September, so it was hyped a lot, much like Hamilton. And, since Millie would do better on tour than Urinetown, with or without the tony, Producers instead voted to give the award to Millie.

Thoughts?"

 

I've seen both and loved both, but I really don't think so.  Hamilton is just the total package, in my opinion.  The story is tight, the performances resonate, the music is varied and wonderful, the choreography and lighting meld with the whole.  It's just a really great show. 

By contrast, Shuffle Along has really great things about it (as I said, I really unabashedly loved it), but it's just not as much of a cohesive whole.

 

 

"

 

Yeah, I can see why that would be a problem. I read the Brantley review and that was a point made in it. However, I still think it's possible.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 1:22pm

With approx 850 voters, how many of those do you think (as you seem to assume) work on the same show? Very few....certainly not enough to make any real difference in the voting.

 

But where is this idea coming from that so many voters are personally involved in the nominees?

 

[mc1227]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 3:09pm

No way.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 3:23pm

I think the more interesting speculation (since there is no way Hamilton is losing) is, if Shuffle Along came along last year, would it have beat Fun Home?

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 4:01pm

Hamilton all the way!!!

[Dave13]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 4:32pm

No.  

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/30/16 at 5:08pm

re Fun Home. I can't imagine Shuffle beating it. Although people here and elsewhere obviously enjoy the show, it doesn't have anywhere near the heft of Fun Home. And while it would certainly have won the choreo award, it has a book that is worthy of a C+ overall, no music (as a new musical it would have to be labelled a jukebox musical) and a critical reception that is middling. I stand by what I said earlier which is that no one is doing their best work here.