First Round of Tony Eligiblity Decisions Announced

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 11:54am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-Tony-Awards-Reveal-First-2018-Decisions-1984-Ineligible-Decisions-on-PRINCE-OF-BROADWAY-More-20171109

 

No big surprises here other than the already-discussed 1984 situation.

Question: Does the fact that The Terms of My Surrender is eligible for best scenic design of a play also mean it's eligible for Best Play, rather than being considered a "special event" or whatever? Or do the design elements of some special events just get put into the play categories? 

Updated On: 11/11/17 at 11:54 AM

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 12:22pm

The Special Event category was discontinued after 2009. If shows that would previously have been considered Special Events invite Tony voters they are considered as either Plays or Musicals, whichever seems more appropriate. Those productions could also potentially be given a Special Tony by the nominators - as with Hugh Jackman's award in 2012 for his show that season. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 12:30pm

Right, no I know there isn't a special event category anymore, but the scenario I was imagining is more like, if they invite Tony nominators, couldn't the nominators see it and say "we've decided this is more of a special event than a play and therefore eligible for neither Best Play nor Best Musical"? 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 12:41pm

I think that the special event category needs to come back. Especially considering the uptake in special events this season.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 12:59pm

JBroadway said: "Right, no I know there isn't a special event category anymore, but the scenario I was imagining is more like, if they invite Tony nominators, couldn't the nominators see it and say "we've decided this is more of a special event than a playand therefore eligible forneither Best Play nor Best Musical"?"

Nominators just nominate from the shows deemed eligible by the Admin committee. A nominator can of course not vote for a particular show because it does not seem worthy, for whatever reason or no reason.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 1:03pm

Ack! I'm sorry I'm getting my terminology mixed up. My apologies. I meant the people in charge of deciding eligibility, not nominators. 

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 1:13pm

I remember people speculating about who would get the special Tony in earlier threads and there being a clear frontrunner, does anyone remember who? It's driving me crazy, but people seemed pretty convinced that this person would get the special Tony.