Six vs. A Strange Loop: The Tightest Tony Race of 2022? — Page 3

JBroadway said: "blaxx said: "Y'all put way too much weight on the Tonys. The awards are biased recognition, they're not an absolute truth.

It's just a dozen random professionals casting a vote, not the judgment from the Theater God.

The decision will only be properly assessed with time."



I agree with you to an extent. Despite my many posts participating in the Tony threads, I have found myself increasingly frustrated at the nature of the Tonys in general, particularly how narrow the scope of eligibility is. I can't help but feel like the prestige of the Tony Award is one of the greatest smoke-and-mirrors tricks in showbiz.

But regardless of how they earned their prestige, they have it, and it can create lasting ripple-effects. Not as much as it used to, maybe, and not as much as some other awards shows. But the effects can still be tangible. Mainly, a Best Musical win (which this particular thread is mostly about) still has the power to make or break a show financially. We've also seen it impact what kinds of projects get written and produced afterward (I realize this 2nd point is more is less tangible, and more subjective and circumstantial, but I still think it matters).

A win for A Strange Loop could be highly beneficial in both regards: (a) the show is struggling at the box office, and this could very well be the difference between success and failure for them, and (b) the show, right now is unique in many ways. It would be great if, in 5-10 years, it wasn't so unique.

"

I only agree that a Best Musical win guarantees recoupment. Only one musical in 22 years has not recouped.

Past that, no other win or category means much for profits. So, all the producers and investors who wait for the Tonys to turn their fate around are in the wishful thinking / delusional boat. Only one production will reap the benefits of the awards.

Total smoke and mirrors, you are absolutely right.

bdn223 said: "Best Book is between A Strange Loop and Girl from the North Country."

I continued to be baffled by the championing of Girl from the North Country

I think A Strange Loop will win Best Musical but I don't think it's a sure thing.

I think one other factor besides the reasons mentioned is Six feels so old at this point, it feels like it was part of last season with Moulin Rouge, Jagged Little Pill, etc. Same for Girl from the North Country. Being in previews prior to the shutdown makes it feel like voting for a show that's more than two years old.

I agree Strange Loop should win for all the reasons above.

but Six is one of those impeccable lightning in a bottle Broadway shows. It does everything it needs to do with aplomb and wit. And every single song is equal parts catchy, poppy, informative and when it calls for it funny. And it’s pointed.

Put Strange Loop in a year with Mean Girls type shows it would be no question, but that and Six are really wonderful fresh contributions to musical theatre. We shall see how this shakes out

VintageSnarker said: "bdn223 said: "Best Book is betweenA Strange Loop andGirl from the North Country."

I continued to be baffled by the championing ofGirl from the North Country"

I'm a little surprised by it too, but there is a ton of love for that show among the Tony voters and I wouldn't in any way be stunned if it ends up taking Best Musical. I still think the race is between Six and Strange Loop, but if voters oppose Six by calling it a 75-minute concert and find Strange Loop too avant-garde and small, I could easily see them going with the one they enjoyed the most, which appears to be North Country.

Regarding the pressure to award Strange Loop because it's a story dealing with the black, queer experience and voters not wanting to look insensitive by not rewarding it, I think we're majorly overestimating how much Tony voters care about that. To be clear, I'm not in any way saying that should or will hold the show back and if they feel it's the best show, they'll absolutely vote for it. But while there is certainly a ton of pressure on the industry to advance and be more inclusive and representative, maybe I'm just cynical, but I'm not all all convinced that the Tony voters themselves really care too much. If they did, for instance, Slave Play would have taken home at least one award last year regardless of how they felt about the show.

So if the majority of voters decide they enjoy Strange Loop the most and think it's the best show, it will absolutely win. But I really don't think they're going to vote for it just because they're afraid of how they'll look if they don't.

Just because A Strange Loop “needs” the Tony to survive and Six doesn’t, it doesn’t make it more qualified to win Best Musical. If that were the case, it would be between “Mr. Saturday Night” and “Paradise Square”, both shows struggling at the box office.

I saw both shows and do believe ASL will win because it’s the kind of show Tony voters usually go for (see, all the past examples in this thread). However, something no one has mentioned yet is Six is all about feminism which is now front and center with Roe V. Wade. I think both shows - one about diversity and inclusion, one about feminism, stand an equal chance at Best Musical.

BdwyFan said: "There will be lots of votes for North Country. I believe the split votes will give SIX the edge. Plus SIX suffered during the pandemic and I believe it will get rewarded for that. Plus it’s a fun show! Just like Moulin!"

SIX suffered no less or more than any other show during the pandemic... In fact, I would argue that they had an easier go of it in many ways.

I love both shows. And fascinating that they came very close to opening 2 years apart.

Does anyone think any of the performers from SIX will be singled out for Tony nods/wins? I can definitely see a nom for Brittney Mack!

RememberTheDay said: "Does anyone think any of the performers from SIX will be singled out for Tony nods/wins? I can definitely see a nom for Brittney Mack!"

If they could be featured, probably. If they could be jointly nominated, definitely. Individually as leading actresses? Very little chance.

blaxx said: "I only agree that a Best Musical win guarantees recoupment. Only one musical in 22 years has not recouped."

That would be Thoroughly Modern Millie?

Bumping this thread because I recently read this in The Wrap:

"Regarding the big prize, “A Strange Loop” has other problems with Tony voters. Few plays go on the road, so the Tony Awards’ snub of “Slave Play” for “The Inheritance,” which won last year, didn’t make any difference to producers in Middle America. Musicals are another story. Among the nominated musicals in 2022, the one most likely to tour the heartland is a musical about abused British royalty. (No, “Diana” is not nominated.) Out of the 650 Tony voters, the biggest block are out-of-town presenters who need the imprimatur “Tony-winning best musical” to market their subscription series. They will pick the half-dozen Spice Girls of “Six,” dramatizing the wives of Henry VIII, over a show about “a fat, Black, queer body.”"

Just curious if anyone's thoughts have changed over the last month. I really do think Six still has a strong chance at winning on Sunday. Tony voters are not the same as nominators.