Tony Awards question

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:03pm

Why isn't there a Best Script (or something to that effect)? If musicals can have a Best Book award, why not plays? Especially since the winning play may not have the best material. *AHEM* War Horse *AHEM*

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 7:32pm

I think in the old days, at least for a time, the tony's awarded best production of a play as well as best play. Which only makes sense. Also, I would suggest that "best musical" be renamed "best production of a musical." For instance, there have been years when one show has won "best musical" while another has won both best book and best score, inspiring the question how can the show with the best book AND the best score not be the best musical. Of course, if the production is deemed better, than of course it makes sense, but then the award should say it is honoring the best production, not the best musical.

Of course, similarly the award for best revival is not honoring the best play or musical that happened to be revived that season but the best production of an old show.

I also think if there were tony's for best production of a play and best play (which I would suggest instead of script) then War Horse would have likely gotten best production but one of other plays of the season would have gotten best play.
Few argue that War Horse is the best written play of the season.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 7/13/11 at 11:44am

I think there used to be a Best Playwright category.

[peerrjb]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 10:01am

Over the years the Tony Folks have indeed tried to spread the wealth (and the confusion).... The year that "The Subject Was Roses" won Best Play, Neil Simon won Best Playwright for "The Odd Couple". During this early 60's era, there were also separate awards for "Best Producer" of a play and a musical (which in that same season, for example, was won by Claire Nichtern for "Luv" -- which was neither Best Play nor Playwright).

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 10:19am

In 2003, the play Say Goodnight, Gracie was nominated for best play. It received no other noms. Not for the director, and not for Frank Gorshin, who was the only actor in the show. I will never understand that.