Posted: 6/10/26 at 2:38pm
As an awards show, The Tonys were OK. They bear a significance that (IMO) feels to hold more financial and/or advertising impact (especially in regards to ticket sales, and whether/not a show remains open) than perhaps they should.
I used to watch the Tonys religiously because it was the one place on TV that I could be guaranteed to see excerpts from Broadway productions, performed live. Currently, I can see them on “Good Morning, America”, “The View”, and any number of other news and talk shows.
I have opportunity to see them multiple times, on multiple programs and on YouTube, and usually weeks before the Tonys are even broadcast. I don’t have the same “need” to watch the Tonys that I’ve had in the past, especially since the performances are waning in importance.
For me, the awards that hold more significance and interest are The Jimmy’s, held on June 22nd this year.
A Jimmy award doesn’t predict, herald, or nurture [financial] success in the ways that Tony awards do. The Jimmys don’t recognize actors who are members of a union, or are paid for their performances. None of those nominated can reasonably be regarded as being famous. There are no celebrations of lifetime achievements, or “In Memoriam”s. There is little (if any) looking backward. The Jimmy Awards recognize accomplishments that indicate a forward focus, and a potential for what’s to come.
The nominated actors and actresses are initially presented to the audience in small groups based on which award they might potentially win. They are in the costumes created for their schools’ productions, posed in tableaus, and each given a very brief choreographed movement meant to represent their characters. Additionally, there are group numbers choreographed by guest (usually Broadway) choreographers. It’s all super cheesy and high-schoolish - and I love it.
I saw what the Tony awards broadcast had to offer practically everywhere before the telecast, and on multiple occasions. But, I am not going to see these young people deliver their performances anywhere else but The Jimmys.
I much prefer the Jimmy Awards as “must-see” appointment viewing over the Tonys. They’re just “cleaner” (lacking in controversy or advertising), and I find it much more exciting to be privy to the beginning of an actor/actress’ career and following them as they progress as professionals.
