My question was about rules - given the score wins for Tommy and Newsies (and other nominations for Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast). All that I could find in the Official Rules were these:
(c) Substantial Duplication. In order for a production to be eligible in the category of Best Play or Best Musical, a play or musical may contain elements that substantially duplicate elements of productions previously presented in an eligible Broadway theatre only if, in the judgment of the Tony Awards Administration Committee in each case, the duplicated and the original elements, in their totality, create a new play or musical.
[I guess this is the Jerome Robbins' Broadway and Fosse rule]
(d) Ineligibility of Production/Eligibility of Elements. If a production meets the
requirements of paragraphs 2(a) or 2(b) hereof, but is determined not to be eligible in the category of Best Play or Best Musical in accordance with paragraph 2(c) hereof (i.e., that such paragraph does apply, and a determination has been made by the Tony Awards Administration Committee thereunder that a new play or musical has not been created for purposes hereof), the production shall automatically be ineligible to receive a nomination in the category of BestPlay or Best Musical; provided, however, that the ineligibility of the production to receive a nomination in the category of Best Play or Best Musical shall not adversely affect the eligibility of any of the individual elements (i.e., actors, actresses, playwrights, bookwriters, composers,
lyricists, designers, directors, choreographers and orchestrators) who are otherwise eligible to receive nominations or awards in their respective categories.
The Rules