The Distinctive Baritone said: "
PianoMann said: "The nominators are obligated to see every eligible production in a given season or else recuse themselves from voting at all. This is spelled out in Section 5.a.ii of the Rules and Regulations. So it isn't surprising that they all got to see, for example, Ain't No Mo' or The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. There were 40 nominators this year, winnowed down from a longer list as people had to recuse themselves. The entire list is on the Tony site and Gold Derby."
I was not aware the nominating committee had to recuse themselves entirely if they were unable to see a show - I thought they could simply choose to recuse themselves in particular categories. But I guess that is only for the voters for the actual winners."
Yes, you're right, they are more flexible with the larger voting body where they are allowed to recuse category by category if they missed a particularly performer or didn't see a production. This season, they're also allowed to vote in a category even if they missed one of the nominees. I don't particularly care for this change this season, but I understand the logic.
I do really appreciate that the nominators must see every single production, though. Personal preferences are so subjective, of course, but it is nice to at least have this baseline where you know that those who picked the nominees at least gave every show, performer, etc. equal consideration.