John Cameron Mitchell to receive Special Tony Award!!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:05pm

HOLY SH*T!!!

 

Beyond thrilled for him. 

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-John-Cameron-Mitchell-to-Receive-2015-Special-Tony-Award-20150427

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:16pm

congrats to JCM!!!!

[Kad]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:16pm

So well-deserved.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:16pm

It crossed my mind once or twice that this was a possibility, but I didn't think it would actually happen. His performance was one of the most stunning things I've ever seen, and I'm so glad he's going to be honored this way!

Updated On: 4/27/15 at 01:16 PM

[aj88]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:31pm

I couldn't be more thrilled and happy for him!

I have also thought about the possibility of something like this happening but never thought it would come true. 

JCM as Hedwig is just a true masterclass on so many levels and it was honor to be able to witness him live. 

One of the smartest decisions the committee has made.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:32pm

Well deserved...He is "HEDWIG" and out of all of them...the best HEDWIG!

CONGRATS

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:33pm

Reading about this really has made my day. So happy for him.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:38pm

Oh my goddess.

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:48pm

LIFT UP YOUR HANDS!!

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:50pm

Super cool. Good for him!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 1:53pm

And Stephen Schwartz is receiving the Isabelle Stevenson Award. 

 

With all these announcements today, I wonder if they'll reveal the host (s) this afternoon?

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:13pm

While I certainly admire JCM, isn't this a little premature?  Four Bway credits, two as replacements.  It seems to me there are a lot of veterans out there with scores of credits who might be more deserving. Again, nothing against him - I'm a fan - but I'm thinking of someone like Philip Bosco with over 50 Broadway shows under his belt or Paul Huntley who has over 200 Broadway credits.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:22pm

This is specifically for his work in and with Hedwig.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:22pm

Phil Bosco won a Tony for Lend Me a Tenor.

Paul Huntley was given an honorary Tony in 2003.

Now...John McMartin is someone that should have an honorary Tony.

But, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, last year it was decided that the creators of what wins Best Revival would also be honored with the Revival Tony...probably due to the fact that HEDWIG was the best book and score on Broadway last year, but Trask and JCM were deemed ineligible due to the fact that it was considered a revival, even though the show had yet to ever play a Broadway house.  I have no problem with the committee deciding to honor not only what JCM created, but also the run he just finished.  

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:35pm

This should just make everyone to whom Hedwig was a landmark deliriously happy.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:40pm

I realize Bosco won for Tenor. Of course Tommy Tune, with something like nine Tonys, is getting an additional one this year. Didn't know that Huntley had been recognized and thanks for the clarification.  "...specifically for his work in and with Hedwig." seems strange to me.  How about Harvey for his work in and with La Cage, or Claudia Shear for her work in and with Dirty Blonde?  As I say, I think JCM's great but I still don't quite understand this award.  But good for him.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:45pm

"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible."

For those who are just really into being contrarians about everything lately, no explanation will be satisfying.

Updated On: 4/27/15 at 04:45 PM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:55pm

"How about Harvey for his work in and with La Cage, or Claudia Shear for her work in and with Dirty Blonde?"

 You mean Harvey Fierstein who won a Tony for his book for La Cage?

Or Claudia Shear who was nominated for both her script of and performance in Dirty Blonde?

HEDWIG was deemed a revival which means JCM's actual work on the piece was never considered for a Tony...a fact that has now been rectified by allowing the creators of works that win Revival Tonys to share in the actual award.  A decision made in part or mostly because JCM didn't receive recognition for HEDWIG.  

If you don't understand, that's fine.  But if you cannot see that the examples you gave regarding Shear and Fierstein are not in any way applicable to this situation, then that's all on you.

Updated On: 4/27/15 at 04:55 PM

[rjm516]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:57pm

It sounds like Wilmington is confused about this kind of award. It's not a Lifetime Achievement or annual special award that shows always have or something. It's JUST to honor his work in Hedwig. 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:01pm

Please let all of the other Broadway-adjacent Hedwigs present him with the award - perhaps as part of a "Wig in A Box" number!

[Kad]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:06pm

For the record: the Lifetime Achievement Tony is going to Tommy Tune.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:19pm

It's just like how, in 1952, they gave this Special Tony Award to Judy Garland, for her record-breaking 19-week run at the Palace Theater.

 

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:23pm

And don't forget Liza and Bette both winning special Tonys the year of my birth for 'for adding lustre to the Broadway season.'  

[gavyj]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:23pm

Excellent news, and very well deserved. JCM is brilliant, and he deserves many more awards for his work with Hedwig.

 

This does, for me, bring up the conversation about the Tony's having categories for replacement actors. Don't the Olivier's honor some replacement actors? I think some replacements bring so much to roles that they need the opportunity to win something. Notable examples include JCM, Peters and Stritch in Night Music, etc.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:31pm

They did institute an award for replacements, I think in 2005, but decided no one was worthy that year and eliminated it the following year.