Why wasn’t Alex Newell nominated for Once On This Island?

I can't remember how it shook down exactly, but I believe it had to do with gender and not fitting into either category.

THIS exactly. It was like he sang a song and disappeared for the rest of the show. I remember NOTHING else about his performance.

I really enjoyed Alex in that show and remember thinking he probably would be nominated, in fact I’m almost positive I had him listed in my predictions. I had to go back and look at who the nominees for that year were, which were Ari'el Stachel (Band's Visit), Gavin Lee (Spongebob Squarepants), Grey Hanson (Mean Girls), Norbert Leo Butz (My Fair Lady) & Alexander Gemignani (Carousel).


After seeing that list, I then remembered being a bit underwhelmed by a few of them. I do think Newell should have been there in place of one or two people but it is what it is and he’s now in a show getting amazing reviews with (I’m sure) many many barrier breaking roles to come in the future.

Jordan Catalano said: "Sorry, was this discussion for people on the voting committee only or a discussion about that particular category in that particular year? Because if it’s the latter, than varying thoughts and opinions on the subject are going to appear."

I'm not starting something that will turn into an argument. The OP asked a question- I answered. It doesn't have to turn into an argument whenever I comment (and no, I don't turn it into one)

Jordan Catalano said: "Lol I’m not starting an argument. I haven’t even had coffee yet."

I feel like my opinions are never okay. Like I offend you if I say one thing people on here don't agree with. So lets move on shall we? Enjoy your coffee :)

hearthemsing22 said: "Also you don't get nominated based on one show-stopping number."

Didn’t the actress who won featured for promises, promises in 2010 only have one scene/song at the top of Act two?

hearthemsing22 said: "Also you don't get nominated based on one show-stopping number."

Marilyn Cooper - Woman of the Year. Nominated and won for one of the shortest times on stage in a show-stopping number. Total stage time during the whole production was 10-15 minutes.

Updated On: 4/10/23 at 09:29 AM

If my memory serves correctly:

Back then, discussions of Newell's gender identity weren't very widespread or nuanced, nor did Newell necessarily begins publicly using pronouns other than "he/him" at that point. Or maybe they had, but if so, the theatre community didn't seem to have realized it.

All of the discussion I remember seeing around Newell's performance was very much in the vein of "this is a man playing a woman, and an exciting example of gender-flipped casting alongside Merle Dandridge - a cis woman who was playing a role written for a man." As far as I can recall, there was zero discussion around putting them in any other category than Featured Actor. Maybe Newell felt differently privately, behind the scenes, and it's possibly that they did quietly withdraw from consideration to avoid that situation. But unless they state that publicly now or in the future, we have no way of knowing.

But assuming they did compete in the Featured Actor category:

The sense I got was that it really came down to a competitive set of contenders, and yes, a sense that Newell's performance was more of a show-stopping number than it was a compelling display of acting. The 4 gods in that production were all giving impressive performances, with commanding stage-presences, but they aren't really acting-showcase roles. And despite their individual musical numbers and character motivations, they sort of exist as a unit from a broader narrative standpoint.

But Newell's performance definitely had a lot of supporters, and I do remember a lot of people being surprised and upset at the time that they didn't get in.

Updated On: 4/10/23 at 10:09 AM

jkcohen626 said: "I can't remember how it shook down exactly, but I believe it had to do with gender and not fitting into either category."

Alex did not identify publicly as non-binary at the time, but then again non-binary was not really a term in the popular lexicon just 6 years ago in 2017. Alex identified as genderfluid, but used he/Him pronouns. The role was seen as drag performance canonically within the revival with Asaka being a woman, but Alex in the opening number being a man, and this offset the genderbending of Merle Dandridge playing Papa Ge. It was interesting to note that all of Asaka's understudies were actresses, while Papa Ge had both male and female actors as understudies/replacements. Note the drag element was dropped when Alex did not go on.

Based on all of the conversation at the time, there was some confusion as to Alex's category placement, with many thinking they should submit for featured Actress, but Alex was submitted for featured actor instead. But just so we are clear, there was backlash when Alex did not receive a nomination, with speculation galore as to what could of caused the snub. Some pointed to the category placement, others pointed to it being a fall performance that got lost in the shuffle of spring openings, while some blamed Ken Davenport for making Haley Kilgore and Lea Solonga the face of the revivals pre-nomination campaign thinking Alex was a lock.

We may never know, but it is also important to point out that the revival of Once on this Island was not as beloved as we remember it being. It winning Best Revival of a Musical is arguably the biggest upset/surprise that categories has seen in its nearly 30 year history.

Updated On: 4/10/23 at 10:39 AM

Mmm if you look at Ben Brantley's and Jesse Green's predictions and wishes neither of them actually thought Once on This Island should win (I forgot as I loved the revival and thought it was well deserved). Even more strangely Ben Brantley voted for Carousel (and looking back his review was actually a Critics Pic!) - definitely doesn't match the word of mouth on this board as that revival was not well received here (I never saw it, but I do think it sounds amazing on record). Jesse Green thought My Fair Lady should have won, although did predict Once on this Island would win (I only saw the West End transfer of my fair lady, but based on this I would have given it to OOTI personally).

Updated On: 4/10/23 at 10:55 AM