Tony rulings: Buffalo ineligible

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:22pm

# James Barbour will be eligible for nomination in the Leading Actor in a Musical category for his performance in A Tale of Two Cities.

# Graham Phillips will be eligible for nomination in the Leading Actor in a Musical category for his work in 13.

# Mackenzie Crook will be eligible for nomination in the Featured Actor in a Play category for his role in The Seagull.

# Jan Maxwell and David Rasche will be eligible for nomination in the Leading Actress and Actor in a Play categories for their roles in To Be Or Not To Be.

# Katie Holmes and Patrick Wilson will be eligible for nomination in the Featured Actress and Actor in a Play categories for their roles in All My Sons.

# Elisabeth Moss will be eligible for nomination in the Featured Actress in a Play category for her role in Speed-The-Plow.

All other decisions were consistent with the opening-night credits.

"American Buffalo, which played a brief stint at the Belasco Theatre, will not be eligible for nomination in any category because it failed to meet the performance requirement, according to a Tony spokesperson."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123972.html

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:23pm

Have to say, I am glad that James Barbour is eligible. His voice is outstanding, and by far the best thing about the show.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:28pm

I think the only one who will actually get a nod from that group is Wilson.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:31pm

I wouldn't count out Elisabeth Moss. SPEED-THE-PLOW got some great reception and support.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:34pm

What would American Buffalo been nominated for?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:37pm

Soon they will have a category for Best Revival of a Mamet Play.

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:38pm

I think Crook's got a shot at a nomination.

As for Buffalo- set design maybe? But I honestly don't think it would have been nominated for anything.
Updated On: 12/4/08 at 06:38 PM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:39pm

That makes me wonder what exactly the performance requirement is to be nominated.

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 6:58pm

I don't know the specific number, but they have said in the past that it has to run long enough that the committee can feel that the large majority of both the nominators and the voters have enough time to have seen it after opening. My guess would be at least a three week run, if not a full month, not including previews.

[mikem]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 7:08pm

The current Tonys rule does not have to do with the length of time the show is open, but the number of performances to which the Tony voters were invited to attend. The producers have to make available tickets to at least 8 performances (or at least half of the performances, if there are less than 8, including both previews and regular shows).

So I'm guessing that the American Buffalo producers, thinking the show would run longer, only invited the Tony voters to less than 8 performances before the show closed.

Interestingly, the current rulebook also says that "Eligibility for nomination in the Best Performance categories shall be limited to one Actor or Actress for each nomination in such categories," which would seem to preclude the option of nominating all 3 Billys as a single nomination. However, the rulebook also says that the Administration Committee can vote to change the rules, so I'm guessing that they will make an exception in this case and nominate the 3 Billys as a single nomination.

Updated On: 12/4/08 at 07:08 PM

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 9:25pm

lol Graham Phillips getting a nomination.

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 10:59pm

So what's the story on the three Billy's?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:00pm

Mamie, we're going to the Tony's in '09, right?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:01pm

Mikem, I don't know if that rule was made before or after 1998, but Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner shared a nomination for Side Show and in that instance they actually played two different roles. I would imagine that they would make a special exception for the Billys.

~Steven

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:03pm

I'm with you, Miss P!

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:06pm

Mamie, I believe it says that they're determining eligibility on Billy Elliot and Dividing the Estate at the next meeting.

~Steven

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:08pm

Thanks Mr. M.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:13pm

so is that ALL of the nominations for ATOTC? just barbour? or will there be more?

i hope Toro gets atleast best supporting actress :)

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:25pm

Pianolin, these are eligibility decisions. Meaning that Barbour is ELIGIBLE to be nominated in the leading category. The actually nominations are determined at the end of the season in May.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:49pm

oh ok, well in that case, does that mean that the others in the show aren't eligible for anything?

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:55pm

It means everybody else will be eligible for supporting actor/actress, as consistent with the opening night credits. Tale of Two Cities had nobody billed above the title, which is the standard for determining who is nominated for leading actor/actress. In a case like this, with no star billing, the producers can petition for certain actors to be considered for the leading actor/actress slot.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 11:58pm

ok, so good
so Natalie Toro can still be supporting actress?? WOO!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 12:09am

Well, so far she is up against Carole Shelly, Heidi and Susan,
so don't place any bets just yet.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 1:29am

When an actor isn't billed above the title the Tony committee makes a ruling as to which category said actor will be put into. For 2 Cities this means that Barbour will be lead and every other performer (not that they stand a chance) will be considered for featured. Also, if an actor is billed over the title, as Wilson and Holmes are, but obviously featured, the production can ask the committee to make a ruling.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/5/08 at 3:47am

"Tony rulings: Buffalo ineligible"

No offense to LimeLightMike, but...does it matter?