The 77th Annual Tony Award Nominations for 2024 — Page 7

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "chrishuyen said: "Question about the Merrily orchestrations, I understand Tunick was eligible for the reworked orchestrations from 1994, so I guess there's no "classics rule" for orchestrations? But also in that case shouldn't the reworked book for Merrily also be eligible? Is this just another case of "the Tony administration does what they want"?"

Tunick has actually been nominated several times for re-orchestrating his original works, includingFOLLIES (2001), NINE, PACIFIC OVERTURES, and PROMISES PROMISES. All had a smaller orchestration than the original, like MERRILY, so it's not the exactorchestration from Encores, or the York, or the Original. Was Encores the first major production of MERRILY to have violins & violas in the orchestration?

As for the book, I've always been curious about how much of the rewrite is Furth vs Sondheim vs Lapine (who directed it at LaJolla and Encores, and got an "adaptation" credit at Encores) vs Susan Schulman (who directed it at the York) vs Maria Friedman. Are there any major book changes from the York version to the Encores version to the current version?Furth gets sole credit on this revival, as he did on COMPANY (despite the show being reworked after his death). It may be that lack of a living bookwriter or credited book-adapter means the book is ineligible for a revival."

Thanks! I didn't realize Tunick had orchestrated again since someone mentioned the 1994 orchestrations, so that's where the question came from, but this makes sense!

MadsonMelo said: "Kelli O'Hara's nomination puts her in a tied 3rd place among most nominated actresses overall.

She is below Audra, Chita and Julie Harris (10), Rosemary Harris (9) and alongside Patti LuPone,Colleen Dewhurst and Jane Alexander."

Thank you for researching and sharing this fascinating information! One little point: this makes O'Hara tied for fifth place as these things are usually reckoned (since there are four actors above them).

How does it work with Illinoise since it opened so last minute? Did they give every Tony voter tickets to the opening? Maybe that's why there wasn't more love. The hype hadn't really started yet.

Only the nominating committee needed to see Illinoise at one of it's 8 performances last week. Regular voters have until the voting cut-off which is a few days before the awards.

I hope the Broadway Gods give Chip Zien one more great role before he retires so he can get a Tony nom. Harmony was supposed to be it but then that show fizzled out quickly. Obviously he should have gotten a nomination as The Baker but since then, he's always willing to take supporting roles, replace, etc. He's been such a devoted Broadway worker bee for so long

Markie27 said: "Even though Cabaretgot a lot of nominations it’s very telling that they didn’t like the show as a whole - amidst all the nominations for its design and an embarrassment of riches in its performers, the couldn’t bring themselves to nominate the director. It’s like their making a statement - with all the talent of your cast and crew you not to mention a magnum opus of a score, you still managed to eff it all up by giving us this mess of a show.

I really enjoyed this show btw. I was weirded out by the show’s two leads but it was still an enjoyable night at the theater. But yeah it was a mess. Her vision was a misfire.

Maria Friedman, Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe will merrily roll along to their Tony wins."

Misfire lol, the show got a trillion Oliviers and will run in the West End forever,; Frecknall is also considered one of the best British directors alive.

The lack of enthusiasm for Cabaret is the reciprocal resentment that a few Broadway shows also face in the West End.

The show is an all around smash, and I wish her dozens of "misfires" like this one.

Updated On: 4/30/24 at 08:14 PM

UWS10023 said: "How is it decided that a production will not be nominated in a category that has only a few nominations? Examples: Uncle Vanya or the Wiz?"

It's based on the number of eligible shows in each category. So since there were only 6 eligible musical revivals, there would be four nominees (barring a tie).

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "chrishuyen said: "Question about the Merrily orchestrations, I understand Tunick was eligible for the reworked orchestrations from 1994, so I guess there's no "classics rule" for orchestrations? But also in that case shouldn't the reworked book for Merrily also be eligible? Is this just another case of "the Tony administration does what they want"?"


Tunick has actually been nominated several times for re-orchestrating his original works, includingFOLLIES (2001), NINE, PACIFIC OVERTURES, and PROMISES PROMISES. All had a smaller orchestration than the original, like MERRILY, so it's not the exactorchestration from Encores, or the York, or the Original. Was Encores the first major production of MERRILY to have violins & violas in the orchestration?

As for the book, I've always been curious about how much of the rewrite is Furth vs Sondheim vs Lapine (who directed it at LaJolla and Encores, and got an "adaptation" credit at Encores) vs Susan Schulman (who directed it at the York) vs Maria Friedman. Are there any major book changes from the York version to the Encores version to the current version?Furth gets sole credit on this revival, as he did on COMPANY (despite the show being reworked after his death). It may be that lack of a living bookwriter or credited book-adapter means the book is ineligible for a revival."

The currently MERRILY book has some changes from the licensed version (which is based on the York production), but I highly doubt most people could tell the difference.

I’m thrilled that after more than a decade of excellent work on Broadway, Daniel Radcliffe is finally a Tony nominee. Well deserved and should’ve happened for HOW TO SUCCEED.

MemorableUserName said: "I haven't seen BTTF but this is hilarious.

"

Shoot, that seems unprofessional of Hercules. Michelle didn't tag him, she simply gave her opinion, it wasn't even exaggerating or harsh.

I think Broadway needs a social media break.

thoughts:

Musical: No real surprises here, though its a shame Here Lies Love, flawed as it was, didnt make the cut. Days of Wine Roses not making the cut surprised me based on the intense love for this show, but I thought it was dull as hell so no love lost here. All the love for Hells Kitchen is understandable, its a fun night with insane performances, but the notion that this book was nominated for anything is just... hard to stomach. Similarly, the idea that W4E was nominated for Score.... I find myself pulling for The Outsiders here, but I'm nervous the enthusiasm for Hells Kitchen will only build.

Play: Obviously will be Stereophonics, but both Prayer for French Republic and JaJa were such worthy, interesting efforts from MTC, topped off with Mary Jane, what a year for MTC. Based on what I've heard, it feels somewhat political that Paula Vogel's pedestrian play beat out the toast of London (Patriots)--I'm still looking forward to seeing both.

Musical Revival: Obviously will be Merrily, but looks like the nominators overall didnt detest Cabaret as much as some of the critics did. I feel bad for Spamalot, because it was such a crowd-pleasing fun time, with sincere effort made to modernize/update the humor and take it in new directions, whereas Tommy was just a rerun. Thrilled for the Gutenberg team.

Play Revival: Remind me, three nominees means they went out of their way to say "We really didnt think much of Uncle Vanya or Doubt" right? Given the reviews, seems more of a pointed snub of Doubt, but since Vanya is still running, I guess its a pointed snub of both. I know Appropriate is likely to take it, but i cant think of a better epitome of REVIVAL than the magic that was spun re Purlie.

Actor Play: I thought Harper was going to be eligible as featured, so this threw me. I think Carrell is such a standup guy who can do no wrong, so Im bummed hes been overlooked like this but I havent seen the show so... Patriots being left out makes me think Stuhlbarg doesnt have a shot, but Will Keen ALSO being left out thinks this is might be the only place for voters to push back against all the Patriots snubbery.

Actress Play: Again, I havent seen Vanya so maybe I misread the WOM, but I thought Anika Noni Rose was likely to get nominated here. They really seem mad at Vanya huh. Glad Betsy Aidem got in, and no idea whether this will be a nod to Lange's storied career, or a passing of the theater torch to Paulson, or a warm welcome to McAdams. (Probably Paulson's).

Supporting Actor Play: Definitely expected Will Brill to get in here, and thought Gelb might be recognized too, but they're clearly going all in on Stereo here. Pecinka was fine but I would have much preferred to see some Purlie love here (Billy Eugene Jones or even Jay O Sanders), and I was shocked that Will Keen didnt make it (less shocked about Imperioli, but it does suggest some coolness re Enemy compared to other shows). I can see the Stereo boys cancelling each other out though, leaving a path for Corey Stoll or Jim Parsons here.

Supporting Actress Play: If Keen was The Snub for the gentlemen, Francis Benhamou is The Snub for the ladies. I was genuinely shocked she didnt make it (she outright won a bunch of awards for this role last year), and her firebrand monologue explosion is what Tony love is usually made of. I cant help but wonder if the ongoing Gaza/hostages nightmare played a role here- her character was overtly political? I cant quite understand it. Especially because Juliana Canfield seems to have been swept up in Stereo-fever, but didnt really blow me away, and Quincy Tyler Bernstine was similarly fine but not earthshattering. Kinda nuts that Zoe Kazan somehow became the only non-nominee of that cast- i thought she was great. And NO women from Jaja?? I suspect this will go to Pidgeon but theres alot of Kara Young love bottled up over these three years, and if they want to recognize Purlie...

Actor Musical: Of course I would have loved to have seen Chip Zien finally recognized for a storied career, but the writing in Harmony was so bad, it was hard to take him seriously. The bigger surprise here: Harewood getting in and Ali Bourghzi not-- I thought both roles felt like supporting roles, not leading roles, but Ali is playing Tommy in a show called Tommy, so I guess thats more of a problem there. And Harewood was truly moving.

Actress Musical: The Taub snub is the most telltale sign that they dont love Suffs all that much. Very happy that Eden made it here- i thought she was great, and the negative reaction to Lempicka has been over the top. Feels like this will go to Moon.

Supporting Actor Musical: Francis Benhamou shocked me the most, but Paul Alexander Nolan probably seems the most egregious oversight. Lotta griping about Roger Bart--i havent seen BTTF but it strikes me as pretty normal for them to nominate the showiest role out of that show---but i'm more unimpressed with Sky Dakota Lynch and Brendan Victor Dixon here. Im pulling for Skybell based on his Tevye magnificence, but I also thought Radcliffe was the highlight of Merrily, and am happy he will likely take it.

Supporting Actress Musical: Nikki James is doing great work in Suffs, but its wild that shes the only nominee from this overstacked cast of talent. Collela missing out seems odd. The Hells Kitchen freight train makes me wonder if Kecia Lewis really has a shot here.