Earliest Opening for Best Musical Tony

[nycesq]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 4:09pm

what was the earliest opening in a season for a musical that managed to stay around to win the Tony Award for best musical?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 4:11pm

Without doing a ton of research, Avenue Q has to be one of (if not the) earliest. It opened on July 31, 2003. Hairspray, La Cage aux Folles and 42nd Street all opened in August.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 4:11pm

La Cage aux Folles (August 21), Avenue Q (July 31) and Hairspray (August 15) all come to mind in their respective seasons.

[Esther]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 4:16pm

A Chorus Line opened 7/25/75, won the 1976 Tony.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 4:18pm

"The Pajama Game" opened on May 13, 1954 before winning the 1955 Tony, although dates for eligibility were different then, as the ceremony was presented in late March.

Updated On: 4/15/14 at 04:18 PM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 4:25pm

Company opened the end of April 1970 and won Best Musical the following spring so it was open 48-50 weeks before winning.

[NewSynchopation]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 5:22pm

Company is the winner in this situation.

[jas1234]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 9:14pm

Damn Yankees opened in May of 1955 and won the Tony the following spring, almost a year later.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 4/15/14 at 10:22pm

Wow, fascinating topic. It surely takes some steam to stay in the voters minds that strongly for almost or over a year.

Of course, if any show could do it COMPANY is as good a bet as any. It's still seared in the minds of those who saw it after nearly 45 years.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/16/14 at 12:09am

Bye Bye Birdie opened April 14, 1960, and won the best musical Tony the following spring

South Pacific opened April 7, 1949, and won the best musical Tony the following spring.

The King and I opened March 29, 1951, and won the best musical Tony the following spring.

Updated On: 4/16/14 at 12:09 AM