Post-Tony Thoughts

• Now I can look forward to the Jimmy Awards (June 22nd) which I value even more than the Tonys because any "political" elements are at a minimum. The Jimmys provide me with opportunities to watch careers grow (case in point - Andrew Barth Feldman)
• RE: "Schmigadoon", this statement from producer Christine Schwarzman raised some questions:
  • “I think I should start by thanking Apple TV for canceling the third season of Schmigadoon the TV show because without them we couldn’t have picked it up and ran with it”
  • Why did Apple CXL an already written third season of what appeared to be (at least to my mind) a successful show? Was the goal of an EGOT a better gamble in regards to Apple besting Netflix?
  • What will be the future for "Schmicago" and that third season? Broadway? Bring that third season back to AppleTV?
  • How would casting work if "Schmicago" were to also be produced for Broadway? I liked the idea of utilizing the same ensemble of actors for AppleTV, but if "Schmicago" should go to Broadway, I could (e.g.) easily see Katrina Lenk filling the Dove Cameron role.

Updated On: 6/8/26 at 11:21 AM

I think a third season is more likely than a stage production of Schmicago, to be honest- not saying that it's particularly likely at all, either, mind you. Schmigadoon has yet to prove itself financially successful and even with its wins, I am extremely doubtful it will be (to say nothing of the fact that it feels like a very perfunctory Best Musical winner) 

Jarethan said: "I think it is going to be competing for the dubious honor of shortest running best musical."

And honestly, that's probably for the best. This show is going to make way more money touring and then being licensed regionally to high schools and community theatres than it ever will on Broadway.

I’m sure it will get a bump, probably temporary, for winning Best Musical, and I enjoyed the TV series. But my problem all along with Schmigadoon! as a stage musical is that I don’t have much interest in seeing it live. Every promotional clip is just a live version of songs from the TV show. I gather that Cinco Paul wrote enough new material to qualify for score, and even win, but that just feels like an indictment of the other scores.

I know that I don’t have to see the musical before anyone writes that. But this has the same niche appeal that is the reason that movies or TV shows about movies win awards. 

I realize, as Kad has written, that this was a ‘Something has to win’ year. But I will be very surprised if this lasts too long into next year. 

I do agree that it should do well with licensing and in high schools, except where there are objections to gay characters. Otherwise, it’s a parody show with some gentle satire tossed in. And don’t me wrong. I like Schmigadoon! It’s just weird that it actually won Best Musical.

Broadway61004 said: "Jarethan said: "I think it is going to be competing for the dubious honor of shortest running best musical."

And honestly, that's probably for the best. This show is going to make way more money touring and then being licensed regionally to high schools and community theatres than it ever will on Broadway."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but who currently holds that title? Is It A Strange Loop?

I enflamed many by positing that Schmigadoon! on the Tonys, tucked in Radio City, reminded me of those earnest 70s or 80s television musicals that tried to recreate the Broadway experience on TV. It had what I call "Sunday night television" about it. No notes, no quibbles, but the pastiche element inspires an immediate recognition of what's being parodied, and then what? Smiles? It's a winning cast, and the choreography is energetic, but it looks too much like what it's mocking with love: a musical comedy with niche appeal. People scolded me, making clear the book is witty. But the presentational component made it feel like Exhibit A in why some people don't like musicals. It'll be a community theater staple, and make money thus in subsequent life. It feels like too little and too uninspired to last on B'way. I could be wrong. 

EDSOSLO858 said: "PASSION ran for 280 performances."

When it was first produced, I loved everything about the the show. I recently (last week) re-watched the PBS version and have done a 360 on what I think about the character of Fosca and the improbabilities of Giorgio's feelings for her. 

What did she actually die of, anyway?

Jarethan said: "I think it is going to be competing for the dubious honor of shortest running best musical."

I was just saying to my husband that I expect this will be one of those wins about which, 10 years from now, people will remark, "Can you believe Schmigadoon took best musical in 2026?"

 

Updated On: 6/8/26 at 02:55 PM

Was the CBS Tony contract extended another year and we somehow didn't know it? Boroff reported on his Substack late last night that "the broadcast contract expires after the 2027 ceremony"... everything else I could find said 2026.

 

 

My wife and I saw it a week ago and loved it, and we both go back quite a way with musicals. Yes, I confess to being old. Sue me. 

By the way, the jam packed theater seemed to love it as well. from start to finish. If you get the parodies, it's a complete blast, so maybe wait until you've seen it to knock it.

JSquared2 said: "John Adams said: "

• Now I can look forward to the Jimmy Awards (June 22nd) which I value even more than the Tonys because any "political" elements are at a minimum. The Jimmys provide me with opportunities to watch careers grow (case in point -Andrew Barth Feldman)
• RE: "Schmigadoon", this statement from producerChristine Schwarzman raised some questions:
  • “I think I should start by thanking Apple TV for canceling the third season of Schmigadoon the TV show because without them we couldn’t have picked it up and ran with it”
  • Why did Apple CXL an already written third season of what appeared to be (at least to my mind) a successful show? Was the goal of an EGOT a better gamble in regards to Apple besting Netflix?
  • What will be the future for "Schmicago" and that third season? Broadway? Bring that third season back to AppleTV?
  • How would casting work if "Schmicago" were to also be produced for Broadway? I liked the idea of utilizing the same ensemble of actors for AppleTV, but if "Schmicago" should go to Broadway, I could (e.g.) easily see Katrina Lenk filling the Dove Cameron role.

 


Very disturbing that the voters were fine with rewarding lead producer Christine Schwarzman with the Tony for Best Musical. Her husband is Stephen A. Schwarzman, the CEO of Blackstone, who has advised and donated tons of money to Trump through both of his terms. This woman and her husband are supporting people harming the Broadway community and vulnerable communities in our country.

"

 

...I mean they also awarded Scott Rudin last night so I don't think the morality of the producers was at the forefront of their minds

The thing about the Tony Awards is that, while there are some indicators of success/failure that comes from nominations and wins, they aren’t really a read on all the tea leaves.

Take JUST IN TIME for example - a boomer fuel musical that nobody asked for, but it had Jonathan Groff (hot off a Tony win) and a catalogue of songs that are inoffensive to the elders. Six nominations and won nothing - and it’s still running on its 3rd Bobby.

A BRONX TALE - no Tony noms in 2017 and ran for about 2 years on bridge-and-tunnel folks alone.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT - the little London engine that could. Originally 16 weeks, now 1.5 years into the run, and only got 1 Tony from 4 nominations.

Any show that wins a Tony can be called a Tony-winning musical. Sometimes is not the size of the haul, but what else you bring to the table. I’m pretty sure CATS and ROCKY HORROR can ride a wave of brand recognition and their standout performances, with CATS having picked up 3 awards giving it a boost and despite ROCKY HORROR striking out.

Updated On: 6/8/26 at 05:30 PM