Replacemnts honored @ Tony awards

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 4:48pm

I've been thinking about this for a while: There should be a category at the Tony's for replacement in a show at least 1 season old; so what would y'all think if for long-running shows there were 8 categories: BEST REPLACEMNET LEADING ACTOR/ACTRESS IN PLAY/MUSICAL, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR/ACTRESS IN PLAY/MUSICAL . Wouldn't that be cool, because sometimes replacements are better than the originals & (even if not) deserve to be awarded. Any thoughts? Updated On: 12/24/04 at 04:48 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 4:49pm

doesn't the outer circle (that's not it, is it?) give awards to replacements?

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 4:53pm

outer critics circle i think, i dunno if they do- i hope so they deserve it!

[zippyjen]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 4:56pm

i think there should be an award for replacements if there isn't one already. THe actors add different spins to the characters and such so yeah they should be awarded.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:00pm

I think Broadway.com does give awards for best replacements
but can you imagine how hard that would be to pick?
I mean, that would add so many more shows the Tony committee would have to visit

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:01pm

true, but I think they should get recognition too.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:02pm

and as if being (i assume) treated to broadway shows is such a horrible torture to go through...

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:03pm

True, they should get something
On the SAME hand, it could help prevent shows from getting "long running boredom syndrome"
Updated On: 12/24/04 at 05:03 PM

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:03pm

isn't that point on the same hand?

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:07pm

I meant on the other hand of my previous point
But, if it bothers you MTT, I'll go fix it

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:08pm

No for a few reasons.

The first reason be that it is just implausible for one let alone twenty-four members of the nominating committee to see ALL the replacement performances in a given year.

We all know Brooke Sheilds and big name replacements, but Velma Kelly #27 deserves to be seen and considered just as much as big stars.

Also, there is something special in being in the original cast of a new musical -- you are with it from conception, you struggle with the cast in rehearsal and give birth and create a role or redefine a role if in a revival.

There is no shame in being a replacement at all and a separate awards that honors the best in replacement casts would be nice. But the Tonys are celebrating new shows and new theatre, not the same shows and same roles year after year after year.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:10pm

But, if it bothers you MTT, I'll go fix it

haha! ur such a sweetie!

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:17pm

Also, it is not like the Tony committee's only job is to see shows. They are all woking theatre professionals. Sure, they probably like to see all the shows, but what the Tonys are special for is that since the Broadway community is much smaller than that of television and film, the nominators really think and deliberate and pick nominees who are truly deserving. If you added all that weight of seeing EVERY peformer who stepped foot onto the Broadway stage then the nominees would become more political and messy. It shouldn't be easy to get a Tony nomination. We should be awarding people who work and originate roles.

Replacements often go through two weeks of rigorous rehearsal with a stage manager, one run-through with the cast, and BOOM! your in the show. Original cast members work as a unit throughout the rehearsal process with the director, choreographer, designers, etc. The Tony Awards are in effect honoring the creation of Broadway theater, not just performances and pretty designs.

Plus it should be difficult to get a Tony. You should have to pay your dues and work hard so you can originate a role and get that Tony. If EVERYONE was eligible for a Tony then it would really lose the reason it is special.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 7:03pm

i can think of some replacements who absolutely should be honored right off the top of my head:
brent barett- chicago
chestor gregory- hairspray

not currently in the shows but still: tracy jai edwards-hairspray jennifer holliday- chicago

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 10:40pm

i award that bothers me that it doesnt exist is best musical direction. it seems so obvious for it to exist- but no.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 10:44pm

It is insane that they did away with the Best Musical Director Tony.

Insane.


I also don't like how in '71 they combined the Best Lyrics and Best Music Tony into the single Best Score Tony.

I think both should be awarded separately, as they are two different arts.

[Wicked .. For Good]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 10:48pm

that's such a good idea.
they should make that award.

AND IT SHOULD GO TO JLT, lol.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 1:37am

honeslty, im suprised that the musical directors union(or whatever they are part of) hasnt gotten together and demanded it from the tonys committee. Its a huge salary increaser as well...since tony winners(and noms) make more.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 1:52am

This thread seems to be getting off topic. Maybethistime made an excellent point, which was about honoring ACTORS (gender-neutral) who take over roles on Broadway. With shows running 2, 3, 5, 10 years and new performers constantly being brought in, it is unfair to them not to reward their excellence just because they are not the first. Jennifer Laura Thompson is an excellent example. Many people who post here feel that she is even better than the excellent Tony-nominated original star, and though Miss Thompson has originated roles on Broadway (and been Tony nominated), this role which is probably her biggest triumph so far, goes unrecognized when major awards are given. So Gherbert, on this one I have to disagree with you and side with maybethistime that replacement actors should absolutely have their own award category! Updated On: 12/25/04 at 01:52 AM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 2:40am

I agree with gherbert. It would not only be impossible for Tony voters to see all the replacements, but something should be said for originating a role. When a performer originates a role (in a revival, but especially in a new show) they are also creating it, and that's what makes it special. Granted, some replacements bring new things to their roles and can even surpass the originals, but so it goes.

By the way, London's Olivier awards DO nominated and award replacements, although I'm not sure how they work it all out--if the voters see all replacements, etc.

[Justice]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 2:47am

So, if awards were given to replacements, Rosie Perez would have won for Frankie & Johnny

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 10:35am

eslgr8,

I agree with you that replacements can have great triumphs in roles and I think there should be a separate awards that honor them.

But the Tonys would loose something if EVERY person who stepped on a Broadway stage was eligible. It would become choatic.

I do agree that there should be a best musical direction Tony, though.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 10:43am

Just a little point here, the Olivier awards do count replacements eligible. If I'm not mistaken (I'll need to look up the awards) but I believe Maria Freidman won an Olivier as a replacement lead in a show AND the 2nd woman to take over in their recent My Fair Lady revival also won.

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 11:18am

The first thing that needs to change is that twenty-four person committee that makes all the decisions. The whole process is antiquated, like most of the committee members. And of course replacement actors should receive recognition and be eligible for a Tony. It's acting isn't it? I thought that's what they were being awarded for. Their performance on stage. Not for how long they were with the production prior to it's opening, or how many rehersal hours they put in, but for what they do up on stage. And if replacment actors were eligible for Tony recogniton, I bet the caliber of actors and actresses willing to take a replacement role would improve greatly. For the most part, an A list performer is not going to take a role originated by someone else, unless there's a chance that their time, effort, and work will be rewarded and recognized. I don't know about 8 categories (that would involve too much additional air-time), but there should at least be two. For replacement actors and acrtesses you could combine plays/musicals and lead/featured performers. It might not be entirely fair, but it would be better than nothing at all.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 12/25/04 at 11:23am

Are we all thinking of the same special person to be awarded??