no best score tony for WSS?

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:28pm

I was searching the tonydatabase, and was struck that in many of the years, there was no tony catagory for best score. well, in '58, there wasn't one, so neither West Side Story or the Music Man wouldn't have won. why would they not have an annual award until the 70's for best score, or "composer" as the older award was called.

and while we're at it, why is there no longer an award for best conductor/musical director. he/she seems like a very vital part in the success of a musical.

does anyone know the answer to these questions?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:37pm

There was a Best Score Award from the first ceremony in 1947 through 1951 and then it was reinstated in 1962. In the years in between, the composer, lyricist and book writer of the winning Best Musical all shared the Tony with the producers of the show.

While to be sure musical direction is of critical importance to the success of any musical, I think the general level of excellence is so high show to show to show and musical director to musical director, that I have no idea how one would determine the "best" conductor of the year. Wouldn't it just end up going to the conductor of whatever show has the best score or the best orchestrations? Honestly, I can't recall the last time I could possibly name a "bad" conductor or a "bad" orchestra in a Broadway show. There have been times when they were playing music I wasn't crazy about, but they were playing it extremely competently. How to choose a BEST?

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 02:37 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:40pm

thanks, Margo. that makes sense. I also see where you are coming from with the conductors, as well.

It is a shame, however that a great score like WSS will never have an award all it's own recognizing it for just the music.

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 02:40 PM

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:40pm

I knew that Margo would be the one to answer

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:42pm

somehow, so did I. and such a quick response, as well.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:47pm

WSS doesn't need a Tony Award for best score.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:01pm

Munk, I hope you're saying it's so amazing that it doesn't need a Tony award to verify the score, not that it wouldn't have deserved the Tony that year for score.

I agree with Margo, particularly in terms of orchestra. High schools give awards to orchestra, so I often wondered why there was no Tony for it. But I did thinking and just realized that all pits are so amazing, if not undercredited, that I agree it would be very difficult to pick the best.

I wish there was someway to give them a bit more credit though...whether in the Tonys or just in general. They certainly deserve it.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 6:53pm

"High schools give awards to orchestra, so I often wondered why there was no Tony for it."

Broadway is generally, though not completely, accepted as a step up from High School.