The 74th Annual Tony Awards (2021) - News & Discussion Thread — Page 12

Looking forward to their performances.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Best-Musical-Nominees-Will-Perform-in-THE-TONY-AWARDS-PRESENT-BROADWAYS-BACK-Special-20210917

jacobsnchz14 said: "Looking forward to their performances.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Best-Musical-Nominees-Will-Perform-in-THE-TONY-AWARDS-PRESENT-BROADWAYS-BACK-Special-20210917"

Hey BWW editors, maybe put "CBS" in the article so people know where to watch.

First wave of performers and presenters has been announced, and I think it's off to a good start on paper:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lin-Manuel-Miranda-Idina-Menzel-Ben-Platt-Chita-Rivera-More-Will-Take-the-Stage-at-The-Tony-Awards-Present-Broadways-Back-20210920

Updated On: 9/20/21 at 01:13 PM

I feel like this would be better if they had a number from each of the returning/ upcoming musicals. You know... what you can actually SEE on broadway?

MadsonMelo said: "I'm sticking with ''Jagged Little Pill'' for Musical, Book, Featured Actress and Orchestrations. Then, ''Tina'' takes Actress and ''Moulin Rouge!'' will take the other 8 (?) awards."

I will be disappointed if Jagged Little Pill wins. While Moulin Rouge is no prize either, JLP feels like a project done by a (very woke) tenth grader. Moulin Rouge has its flaws but it at least succeeds at its overall intention - to entertain. I predict Moulin Rouge will be the big winner with JLP only a threat for orchestrations, featured actress, and book (unfortunately).

Nolan LuPone said: "bwayphreak234 said: "I am usually always SO excited for the Tony Awards. However, this year, I just... don't really care? I don't think that any of the 3 best musical nominees are particularly great. Tinaisa typical jukebox musical with one really great performance from the leading lady, Jagged Little Pill is a half-baked mess that attempts to address every social issue under the sun, and Moulin Rouge!, while worthy of all the design and tech awards, left me cold even though it was entertaining. Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but I am just totally indifferentthis year."

Totally agree,I can't wait for the 2022 Tony Awards though."

I agree. I can't muster any enthusiasm. I'll be watching the winners update, but I won't be paying for Paramount +. The season was lackluster and so long ago. My trip to see shows for that season took place the week lockdown started, so I will be happy to have the 74th Tony season pass.

No disrespect to those nominated and honored. I'm just not feeling it.

I'm saving my free week of Paramount + for Madame X and Halloween Kills.

SouthernCakes said: "That’s how I feel about all the nominees in general. Like shows and people are going to win awards that would never win in a real Tony situation. Just kinda makes the whole thing “eh” for me. None of those 3 are BEST anything."

I really liked Slave Play, but it being the most nominated play in Tony history seems like it happened based on the truncated season. Everything about the season just feels passive. I can relate to your "eh" feeling.

After all we have all gone through and still go through, why should the announcements of the Tony nominees and winners be shown “exclusively “ on Paramount+, whatever that is. Nothing should be “exclusive” anymore. Put the entire show on TV, the way it was for decades. We all want to see it without signing up or signing up and then canceling. Put the awards and entertainment together. We want everyone to return to the theatre not just exclusively.

EthelMae said: "After all we have all gone through and still go through, why shouldthe announcements of the Tony nominees and winners be shown “exclusively “ on Paramount+, whatever that is."

While I get it about exclusivity… what’s with the allure of engaging in performative ignorance? Paramount+ has been around for years; it was previously known as CBS All Access.

I haven't noticed this mentioned, but I got an e-mail invitation to attend the taping of Moulin Rouge's performance. No word on what they are doing, but it was filmed at the Hirschfeld earlier this week.

Hello all, some possible context about the Paramount+ decision and how it figures into awards shows on television at this moment.


The Tonys haven’t happened since June 2019, obviously, so while the Emmys, Oscars, Grammys, even the MTV Video Music Awards have had a couple of tries during the pandemic, the Tonys have not. Being so far away from their usual date (early June) throws some wrenches into how they’re aired. CBS’s Sunday lineup during the fall is dominated by football games. Usually, the Tonys don’t interfere with that schedule, but with this September date, they do. The Tony Awards broadcast had become known for its very low ratings in recent years and there’s no indication that ratings will be significantly higher this time around…unless there’s a higher focus on performances.


The Grammys and VMAs have both been able to lift ratings by packing their broadcasts full of performances, the more famous, the better. Higher ratings are what’s going to keep the broadcast on television in any form. Both of these awards shows have done what the Tonys are doing now: presenting many of the awards separately. In fact, there’s a history (decades ago) of the Tony Awards presenting many of the awards on a separate PBS broadcast before the CBS one. The CBS portion (Broadway’s Back) is performance-focused, hopefully increasing ratings for folks who may want to watch at home, but have no opinion on/interest in whether The Sound Inside or Slave Play had the best sound design of a play. Splitting the broadcast up keeps it on television this year.



As for Paramount+, it’s one of the newer streaming services, yes, but ViacomCBS has put a lot of money into it and has placed a lot of prime programming onto the platform. The Good Fight continues to be a critical darling, RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars recently completed a hit season, even the Paw Patrol film was released there and in theaters at the same time. All on Paramount+. Splitting it up hopefully means that we get to see all of the awards presented in some form of broadcast and it means that we get to see any of this Tonys ceremony at all.