Why didn't Norm win a Tony for Porgy & Bess?

He was never expected to win. A lot of folks thought Danny Burstein would win for FOLLIES, and then Steve Kazee won for ONCE. Jeremy Jordan might have even had a better shot at winning than Norm. Consensus also was at the time was that Norm was solid, if not a perfect vocal fit for the demands of that role, and Audra and David Alan Grier and Boykin were doing laps around him imho.

Its win for Best Revival was also something of a surprise, as it seemed finally to be FOLLIES' moment. But Porgy was running and Follies was not, Porgy had a lot more League co-producers & investors (which in a tight race can help a bit), and I think Porgy was seen as an underdog after Sondheim's op-ed lambasting the revisions (revisions that he had not yet seen).

Updated On: 4/30/23 at 11:32 AM

I saw all 5 nominees, and I was very much on the Norm Lewis train. I do remember that people were rooting for Burstein, but I've never been as blown away by Burstein as others are. I've continued to feel that way for the last decade, but I remember it all started there, when I realized how hyped up his performance was, and I just wasn't clicking with it.

I do agree that Norm was stretching vocally a bit, but I still think it was a beautiful performance. I don't think he's topped it, in the years since.

At the time I was kind of surprised and disappointed that Kazee won. But after listening to the album for many years, and thinking back on the performance, I kind of get it. The performance was understated, but it was nuanced, and incredibly raw. The degree to which he poured his emotions into his vocals is something we seldom see executed on this level.

Updated On: 4/30/23 at 12:05 PM

JoeW4 said: "At the time I was kind of surprised and disappointed that Kazee one. But after listening to the album for many years, and thinking back on the performance, I kind of get it. The performance was understated, but it was nuanced, and incredibly raw. The degree to which he poured his emotions into his vocals is something we seldom see executed on this level."

There was also a ton of highly-publicized stuff going on in Kazee's personal life at the time (his breakup with Megan Hilty, his mother passing shortly before the Tonys, etc.) that made him easy to root for and likely got him at least a handful of sentimental votes. I don't mean that to take away from his performance at all, which was also excellent, but we know awards voters are always looking for a good story to award and he certainly had it. Plus the overall love for Once swept him up with it.

LOL it always amuses me when people either say "so and so should have won", "so and so was robbed!" or "why didn't so and so win?". Because that's how they voted that year. Because they saw something in another performance that was above the other people. Why dwell on it?

binau said: "hearthemsing22 said: "LOL it always amuses me when people either say "so and so should have won", "so and so was robbed!" or "why didn't so and so win?". Because that's how they voted that year. Because they saw something in another performance that was above the other people. Why dwell on it?"

Because it's fun to think about and we're on a Broadway message board lol."

So you can think about that, and I can think about how I wonder why people don't just move on and think about future awards. :)

hearthemsing22 said: "binau said: "hearthemsing22 said: "LOL it always amuses me when people either say "so and so should have won", "so and so was robbed!" or "why didn't so and so win?". Because that's how they voted that year. Because they saw something in another performance that was above the other people. Why dwell on it?"

Because it's fun to think about and we're on a Broadway message board lol."

So you can think about that, and I can think about how I wonder why people don't just move on and think about future awards. :)"

Or you could just maybe not comment if you don't have anything useful to contribute?

Complaining about an award that was handed out 11 years ago?

I don't understand this obsession with Tony Awards.

Dollypop said: "Complaining about an award that was handed out 11 years ago?

I don't understand this obsession with Tony Awards."

Gurl, I probably think about Bernadette being snubbed in Follies daily. Maybe I’m obsessed, mainly I need to get a life. But I love it and don’t want to.

LOL--While we are on the subject--Barbra should have gotten it for FG.

Updated On: 5/1/23 at 06:29 AM

bwayphreak234 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "binau said: "hearthemsing22 said: "LOL it always amuses me when people either say "so and so should have won", "so and so was robbed!" or "why didn't so and so win?". Because that's how they voted that year. Because they saw something in another performance that was above the other people. Why dwell on it?"

Because it's fun to think about and we're on a Broadway message board lol."

So you can think about that, and I can think about how I wonder why people don't just move on and think about future awards. :)"

Or you could just maybe not comment if you don't have anything useful to contribute?

"

Not useful according to you, and luckily I don't care what you think because as YOU said, it's a message board, and I can say what I want hun. :) Don't like it? Keep scrolling. Why are y'all so obsessed with me lol. I actually do contribute to the boards. Y'all like being so incredibly rude and acting like you're not doing anything wrong. Maybe look at yourselves instead of being so focused on my comments. Move on sweethearts.

TotallyEffed said: "Dollypop said: "Complaining about an award that was handed out 11 years ago?

I don't understand this obsession with Tony Awards."


Your entire personality is based on a show that opened sixty years ago."

You may consider it "a show", I consider it a religious exerience. Thank you very much.