Tony Nominating Committee and diversity

Does anyone know how the Tony nominating committee deals with diversity of acting nominees? This year, unlike last, one could easily have a scenario where all 20 of the musical acting nominees be Caucasian.

Do they try to address diversity before the vote and hope for the best? Or are they able to adjust/re-vote if need be after the initial results, simply to avoid a backlash situation similar to the Academy awards in recent years.

If you consider acting in a play nominees also, surely there will be some nominees of color, but wondering what they would do, if anything, for example if only 1 of 40 were.

If anyone has any insight it would be interesting to hear. Thanks!

I think the Tonys have shown that as a nominating committee, the are willing to nominate and choose winners regardless if race. They can't help that producers have not given many people of color opportunities this year in New productions.

Updated On: 4/28/17 at 06:11 AM

Please specify which acting categories you are talking about. It would be impossible to not have people who are not Caucasian in straight play categories given what we had this season. Also, Jon Jon is definitely a shoo-in for nomination.

It's also super condescending when people put this issue the way the op did. It sounds like people who are not "white" (what do you mean by this term? Because biologically many South East Asians are Caucasians) are pitied with an accoloade or two, whereas in fact most people of "color" (tell me white is not a color) got their noms solely based on strength of performance.

Dancingthrulife2, to clarify- I meant I disagree w the idea of this thread, not you- which is what it looks like bc I didn't see your post. My apologies!

HenryTDobson said: "While there's a handful of diverse performers that are nomination/award worthy, there's simply not enough diverse performances eligible this season, which is the fault of the producers. In a season with an unprecedented number of new musicals, most of them have casts that are primarily white which is so disappointing, especially coming off last season's diverse high. Is this surprising? Unfortunately not but I was hopeful that producers would follow the lead of Hamilton diverse their casts up as much as possible.



"

I will say that no matter what happens, I think there will be #TonysSoWhite backlash. Nominating the four people (who are worthy) might help lessen that blacklash.

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Though on the play side, there is room for diversity with potential nominations for Corey Hawkins, Condola Rashad, John Douglas Thompson, etc.

"

There's hardly enough contenders - are there any leading diverse performances because I can't think of a single one.

I agree and echo many of the posts above: it is not the job of the Tonys to make sure diversity is represented. That is for producers and casting directors to make sure Broadway has room for many different types of stories to be told. The Tonys bestow awards and nominations for stellar work, not because of someones race or ethnicity.

While this season would appear slightly less diverse, just look at all the worthy non-white actors up for nomination:

Eva Noblezada, Jon Jon Briones, Nicholas Christopher, Condola Rashad, John Douglas Thompson, Carra Patterson, Andre Holland, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins,Rebecca Naomi Jones, Amber Gray, Denee Benton, Caesar Samayoa, Rodney Hicks, Anthony Azizi, Corbin Bleu, Michelle Wilson, Phillipa Soo, Barrett Doss, Kristolyn Lloyd

Is it as diverse as last year? No. The leads for straight plays are all white with the exception of Corey Hawkins. Which is unfortunate. But to the original poster's point, its highly unlikely that there will be an all white nominee list.

MadonnaMusical said: "I hope Denee Benton, Eva, and Jon Jon get nominated. I actually might be in the minority here thinking that Denee gives the best female performance of the year... sorry Bette you know I love you girl.



" I agree with you, your not alone in your thoughts about Denee.

HenryTDobson wrote: "While there's a handful of diverse performers that are nomination/award worthy, there's simply not enough diverse performances eligible this season, which is the fault of the producers."

In my experience, directors (and choreographers) are more responsible for casting choices than producers.

Not that it's Tony worthy (or isn't, I haven't seen it to be able to judge) but I feel like we're forgetting A Bronx Tale.

My sense of things is that with the exception of Natasha Pierre, a lot of the musicals that have some diversity are still casting nonwhite actors in smaller supporting roles that wouldn't earn nominations (Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc.). And unfortunately the few lead or stronger supporting roles (Amelie, Groundhog Day, A Bronx Tale, Holiday Inn, In Transit) don't seem to really be considered competitive for awards, though anything is possible.

Someday, as Dr. King once said, we'll judge people based on what they do, rather than what they look like.

Theatre is so far ahead of American society.

Just one example: Where else would an African American be presented as the daughter of two Whites and no one (and I mean no one) even comment in passing? (Dolls House 2).

Where else could an African American performer replace (or understudy) a White performer or an Asian performer. Or the other way around. Phillipa Soo isn't available -- Denee Benton gets to play the part.

Where else can a huge family of white folks have a pater familias which is African American (James Earl Jones -- Cant Take It with You).

So how about we all reaffirm that the Tony Awards should celebrate excellence in theatre.

Not celebrate a quota of diverse actors.

Who was it that said "I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." (Oscar Wilde, maybe?)

Here's a simple idea, there should be more plays by and about POC on Broadway!

VintageSnarker said: "Not that it's Tony worthy (or isn't, I haven't seen it to be able to judge) but I feel like we're forgetting A Bronx Tale.

My sense of things is that with the exception of Natasha Pierre, a lot of the musicals that have some diversity are still casting nonwhite actors in smaller supporting roles that wouldn't earn nominations (Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc.). And unfortunately the few lead or stronger supporting roles (Amelie, Groundhog Day, A Bronx Tale, Holiday Inn, In Transit) don't seem to really be considered competitive for awards, though anything is possible."

To be fair to Come From Away, literally all of the roles apart from Jenn Colella (who is based on a real person) are "smaller supporting roles that wouldn't earn nominations." Q Smith might sneak in there (possibly only in my dreams).

Updated On: 4/28/17 at 05:52 PM