The threads could go on and on about what aspects of theatre are overlooked by voting committee's and there could be endless debates about the justification or injustice of such omissions (and there probably have been).
Personally, I'd like to see some type of sound recording category added (obviously, since I'm creating this post). Perhaps if there was competition for the honor, more cast albums would not only be produced but also released. Then even lesser known flops and obscure productions would at least have something tangible as statement that the show at least existed if not one final grab for award statue. If not the Tony's, at least the Grammy's ought to start recognizing Cast Recordings. Add in solo vanity discs by theatre performers while they're at it.
In the same vein (and this is just dreaming, I know) Video Documentary would be a great addition. In the style of Company and the Producers, a behind-the-scenes look at either the creation of the show, rehearsals, recordings, etc. Put out a commercial DVD, download as additional show promotion & add an award category & call it a win for everyone.
Updated On: 5/18/11 at 05:25 AM
There is already a Grammy award for best musical show album......
Some past winners include the OBC of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and the Bernadette Peters GYPSY revival.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Musical_Show_Album
Yeah, let's see what we can do to make an award show run a little longer ...... what next? Best TV ad?
Maybe adding a category for "Best Musical Cast Album" would encourage producers to set aside funds to produce a recording for their show(s). As important as the Grammy Awards are, I can't recall having seen an advertisement outside of a theatre for winning the Grammy, aside from a sticker on the CD case. Who knows, maybe we could have had that cast recording of Cry Baby after all? It was nominated for Best Musical and even though it was losing money, a potential cast recording nomination could have been an incentive to have a recording produced. I can only think of flops at the moment that didn't receive recordings: Lestat, Dracula, Good Vibrations, In My Life, Bye, Bye Birdie (revival, not sure if it was considered a flop because it did relatively good business), etc...
I see why having a Tony for best recording might be an incentive to produce recordings and I actually think it's a good category. However, you might run into issues with eligibility-you'd have shows from a previous season with albums eligible in the next season based on release dates (which might pose problems or confusion I'd think). It takes awhile to release a cast recording sometimes, depending on the funding, the producers and getting everything together.
But, I see how it could be a smart move.
Personally, I think adding a category for a cast recording to the Tonys in an effort to generate funding for recordings is mostly preaching to the choir. Not to mention the fact that audio recordings are already covered by the Grammys. I'm not sure it makes much sense to honor recordings produced in a studio for excellence in theatre, especially when the book, score, orchestrations and performances were already eligible. Music recording production belongs with the Grammys. And honestly, nearly every Broadway musical gets a cast recording. I don't think missing a few flops a decade is a HUGE hardship. I'd much rather listen to the original recording of Tanz der Vampire than Michael Crawford in Dance of the Vampires any day of the week.
"Wicked" and the "Chicago" revival frequently mention their Grammy wins in their advertising, or at least they did when they were new.
American Idiot also had a sign about it hanging from their marquee (marquis?).
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