Tony Awards to Add New Category for Best Performance by an Actor/Actress Recreating a Role — Page 3

But now they have the motivation to stay there for 6 months (and the producers profit from 6 months worth of big-name-star ticket sales). I don't think that's the reason they're starting this category, but I do think it's a large part of the reason they have a 6-month minimum, as opposed to longer. Most non-stars would have at least a year-long contract, so why couldn't they make it a year?

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Updated On: 9/22/05 at 08:13 PM

I think there should be a category for best SONG in a given year. THink of the debates that would stir up!

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jasonf- Sondheim and Herman would kill each other.

I don't get all the negativity. Think of it this way- all the lesser known actors who are truly talented that take over the roles will have a chance to be recognized and given a little publicity. I think it's a great idea.

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I agree, TabooPhan. Nowadays it seems that the general consensus, especially on this board, is that there is no artistic merit in recreating a role. Oftentimes when big names are brought up as suggestions for a replacement, these suggestions are met with replies such as "why would such-and-such want to waste his/her time replacing that role when (s)he could create new roles? If (s)he ever did it, it would obviously be for the money." This category could give both unknowns as well as veterans more opportunities to showcase their talent and versatility. After all, being cast in that role means the casting directors consider these people to be as good as the originals (before the rebuttals begin, I am aware that this is not always the case).

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Updated On: 9/22/05 at 09:40 PM

Wow. This is huge. Very exciting!! It will be interesting to see the nominees.

I think the Weisslers are behind this award to lure star replacements, and I am only half kidding by saying that.

Absolutely, this award is being added for profit, and I think its going to make things on Broadway a lot more interesting over the next couple of seasons. All of a sudden you might get a star like Sarah Jessica Parker seriously considering replacing Christina Applegate in CHARITY, or Judi Dench replacing Cherry Jones in DOUBT. And Kelsey Grammer has an incentive to actually join SPAMALOT.

Intersting, because it is clearly the producers behind LONG RUNNING shows that will beneift from this Tony. And its only fitting considering how long even mediocre successes run these days.

Ironic in a time, when Producers are fighting over theatres because so many long running shows refuse to close.

A lot of details aren't very clear though. Is Charlotte D'Amboise eligible for CHICAGO, even though she joined the show 8 years ago? How about Harvey in FIDDLER? And what about shows that are traditionally double cast like PHANTOM and MOVIN OUT. Are the matinee casts now eligible too?

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 12:30 AM

In the past, special awards have been given to the likes of Richard Burton and Mary Tyler Moore for "recreating" roles in established productions. Those instances seemed special. Looking at this in conjunction with last year's doubling of awards for the design categories, it just seems they want to give out as many medallions as possible, enhancing the marketing opportunities for those shows still running.

Questions will arise - so-and-so was contracted for 6 months and was AMAZING, but nobody came to see the show in its 3rd year and it closed in the 4th month of the contract.

I also wonder if replacements might have been found for certain irreplacable stars (say, Hugh Jackman, for example) if this award had been in place a couple of years ago.

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Question about eligibility. So this award will have to be for the previous season which started when? And lets say for example, JLT left Wicked in May, will she be eligible for a nomination?

finally, I think this is a brilliant idea

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Despite the marketing opportunities, I don't think I like this. When the idea was first proposed, I was all for it because I was like, "WOOOO! Jen can get one!" But as I thought about it more, I think that it takes away from the trying task of creating a role. Yes, great replacements deserve recognition for their work, but I don't think a Tony is warrented. Their recognition comes in the form of an expanded fan base and, if they really ARE good (like Jen ) then producers/casting directors/whoever will seek them out for the creation of a new role. Thus, in a roundabout fashion, the best replacements DO get thier Tony's.

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I don't see why length of contract should matter--actors have won the Tony for shows that lasted less than a week (Delores Grey, for example).

But even if the Weisslers get a big star to replace Christina in January. By the time the Tonys come it will only be 5 months, not 6.

But hopefully the Weisslers will use this as an incentive to keep the show open after Christina leaves! woo!