Broadway Games: This Year's Tony Nominees

We're less than a week away from The 2024 Tony Awards! Everyone has their favorites, and theater fans all over have their predictions in mind. But how well do you know this year's nominees, and their history with Tony Awards in the past?

Broadway Games:

This Year's Tony Nominees

DIRECTIONS: Match each description with as many of the Tony nominees that apply to them. The number next to each nominee's name is the number of times they will be used. Most choices will be used more than once.

THE NOMINEES: 

A. Jonathan Groff (3)       B. Daniel Radcliffe (1)        C. Lindsay Mendez (2)

D. Maria Friedman (1)       E. Sonia Friedman (5)        F. Paula Vogel (2)

G. Jessica Stone (2)         H. Maryann Plunkett (1)       I. Dorian Harewood (1)

J. Brody Grant (1)            K. David Korins (1)             L. Kara Young (2)

M. Sarah Pidgeon (1)       N. David Zinn (5)        O. Celia Keenan-Bolger (3)

P. Linda Cho (3)               Q. dots (2)                   R. Sarah Paulson (1)

THE CHOICES: 

1. This is their first nomination. 

2. They have won a Tony Award previously in the same category for which they are nominated this year. 

3. They have won a Tony Award previously, but in a different category that they are nominated this year. 

4. They have been nominated before but have yet to win a Tony Award. 

5. They have multiple Tony Award Nominations this year. 

6. They have been nominated in both play and musical categories this year. 

7. They have been nominated in play and musical categories in previous years. 

8. They have been nominated for a Tony Award previously in the same category for which they are nominated this year. 

9. They have been nominated for a Tony Award previously, but in a different category than they are nominated this year. 

10. They are the only nominee from their show in any category. 

STOP SCROLLING NOW!

(IF YOU AREN'T READY TO SEE THE ANSWERS!)

1. This is their first nomination. B, D, I, J, M, Q, R

2. They have won a Tony Award previously in the same category for which they are nominated this year. C, E, H, N, O, P

3. They have won a Tony Award previously, but in a different category that they are nominated this year. N

4. They have been nominated before but have yet to win a Tony Award. A, F, G, L

5. They have multiple Tony Award Nominations this year. E, N, Q

6. They have been nominated in both play and musical categories this year. E

7. They have been nominated in play and musical categories in previous years. E, N

8. They have been nominated for a Tony Award previously in the same category for which they are nominated this year. A, C, E, F, G, K, L, N, O, P

9. They have been nominated for a Tony Award previously, but in a different category than they are nominated this year. A, O

10. They are the only nominee from their show in any category. P

The 2024 Tony Awards: About Those Nominations...

After a huge number of productions opening by the season deadline, the Tony Awards nominating committee certainly had their work cut out for them! With 10 new plays, 5 play revivals, 15 new musicals, 6 musical revivals, and 3 special even productions, there were a lot of choices. There are always surprises - happy and shocking - and this year is no different. Here are our two cents worth!

The 2024 Tony Awards:

About Those Nominations...

Earlier this week, we listed the nominees we hoped would make the list from the 12 shows we've seen so far. And we did pretty well, too. 40 of our "hoped for"s made the cut - including every nomination Back to the Future, Days of Wine and Roses, Illinoise, Lempicka, Purlie Victorious, The Notebook and Water For Elephants got!

 

  

Of course, there were some disappointments. It's a shame that the brilliant performance of Michael Esper's Appropriate performance was overlooked. Ditto the sharp villainy of Paul Alexander Nolan in Water For Elephants. That Joy Woods is missing from the list is a shame, as is the completely forgotten cast of Illinoise. As for the egregiously overlooked, I think history will show that both Ingrid Michaelson's score for The Notebook was too rapidly dismissed, as was the pitch perfect score of Water For Elephants by PigPen Theatre Co., and probably Lempicka's song list, too.

There were a few pleasant surprises, too. The bittersweet brilliance of Maryann Plunkett and Dorian Harewood wasn't a shoo-in. Neither was the long-closed recognition of Here Lies Love, or the complex, often dissonant score for Days of Wine and Roses by Adam Guettel. And though I'd have loved to see Lempicka in a few categories (no lighting or costumes?), I'm glad Eden Espinosa and Amber Iman were honored.

  

We still have four shows to see (The Outsiders, The Who's Tommy, Suffs and Stereophonic) before the Tonys are handed out. With a combined 32 nominations between them, we have a lot to look forward to and debate their worthiness. I dare say Mike and I are even more excited to see them now! And the accolades heaped upon Hell's Kitchen has re-sparked our interest, too.

All of them can't win, but in most categories, I'm pretty sure we'll be thrilled no matter whose names are called on June 16th. Again, congratulations to all the nominees, and to all involved in every show of the season.

Celebrating Audra McDonald: Our Favorite Moments

This week, we celebrate another amazing woman - another July 3rd birthday lady - who thrills with everything she does, on TV, on film, and, of course, the Broadway stage. With a record 6 Tony Awards (and several more nominations!), and critical acclaim that accompanies everything she does, it's safe to say that Audra McDonald is a living legend.

Celebrating Audra McDonald:

Our Favorite Moments

(in no particular order)

Sarah singing to her child ("Your Daddy's Son") in Ragtime (Broadway) - A touching moment in a show full of them. And yet, her heartfelt performance is the one that sticks in my memory. So beautiful. 

"Mr. Snow" in Carousel (Broadway) - She was very joyful and sort of sexual.  She played up the ever-so-slightly-suggestive lines in the song, throwing herself on a table when she sang, "Here I am, Mr. Snow, here I am!"

Madame Garderobe in Beauty and the Beast (film) - Proof that there are no small parts, only small actors. She makes a meal out of a morsel here, with wit and grace. Funny, and spot-on in her send-up of the operatic diva-turned-wardrobe.  I mean look at the poster!

The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Live from Lincoln Center) - Her voice is a perfect match for this role, and her acting was superb. I wonder when we'll get her as Mrs. Lovett? Why not?

Her boozy descent in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill (Broadway) - Holding the entire audience in the palm of her hand from the moment she took the stage, watching this insanely detailed performance was indeed a pleasure. But witnessing her gradual unraveling as she drank and drugged her way to rock bottom was a true privilege.

Bess in Porgy and Bess (Broadway) - We sat, literally, as far from the stage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre as one can. And yet, we felt her captivating performance. The stunning vocals, the just as stunning acting, and her chemistry with Norm Lewis was off the charts. Truly mesmerizing.

The Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music Live! (television) - It was a groundbreaking production, and her natural abilities in front of the camera together with her live performance prowess really helped the entire endeavor, particularly in the moving duet she shared with star Carrie Underwood. Ms. Underwood took full advantage of the scene, probably her most confident of the evening. Thanks, Audra!

Singing "The Ladies Who Lunch" with Christine Baranski and Meryl Streep in Take Me to the World (streaming) - Mike described her funny and warm performance like this: "She is someone who has such a grace and stature but still seems completely down to earth."

I think that sums her up perfectly.

#2597

Broadway Games: 6-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald

The Tony-winningest actress of all time, the incredible Audra McDonald, has SIX of them! S. I. X.! She's won them in all four acting categories. 

Today's game asks you to match the show she was in with the award she won. Good luck!

BROADWAY GAMES:

Audra's Tony Awards

Match the award to the show.

1. Best Leading Actress in a Play

2. Best Featured Actress in a Play

3. Best Leading Actress in a Musical

4. Best Featured Actress in a Musical

A.    B.    C.    D. 

E.    F.    G.    H. 

I.    J. 

#2337

ONE HIT WONDERS: Tony Winners Won and Done

Anais Mitchell won the 2019
Tony for Best Score for her
Broadway debut, Hadestown.
Will she be back?

Last week, we ran a very successful article about Tony Award winners who have been missing in action on Broadway since their victory. This week, we take it a step further! These are Tony Winners  from the past 15 years who accomplished an amazing milestone: they made their Broadway debuts and won the spinning silver disc for it. But none of these people have been back on the Great White Way since. Maybe they went on to Hollywood glory, maybe they went back to their Hollywood glory. Perhaps they went back to the opera world they came from. Maybe they took time to simply grow up and finish school. Whatever the reason, they haven't been back.

I'm sure we'd be glad to have you back, so how about it?

Tony-winning One Hit Wonders

Dan Fogler - Debut: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as William Barfee 
Tony: 2005 Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Since the Tony: TV, film and voice work, including The Goldbergs, Fantastic Beasts..., Kung Fu Panda

Kiril Kulish/Trent Kowalik - Debut: Billy Elliot: The Musical alternating (with David Alvarez) as Billy Elliot
Tony: 2009 Best Actor in a Musical
Since the Tony: Kiril: TV: Dancing with the Stars; Theater: Baz - A Musical Tour de Force (Vegas), Chasing Mem'ries (regional - choreographer)
Since the Tony: Trent: Graduated from Princeton in 2017, continues to dance and teaches dance

Paulo Szot - Debut: South Pacific as Emile de Becque
Tony: 2008 Best Actor in a Musical
Since the Tony: He continues to sing opera at the Met and major stages worldwide.

John Lloyd Young - Debut: Jersey Boys as Frankie Valli
Tony: 2006 Best Actor in a Musical
Since the Tony: He returned to Jersey Boys several times, starred in the film version, and has sung for several presidents and heads of state. An acclaimed concert vocalist, he records regularly.

Catherine Zeta-Jones - Debut: A Little Night Music as Desiree Armfeldt
Tony: 2010 Best Actress in a Musical
Since the Tony: She has made several films, including Rock of Ages, and appeared in the TV series Feud: Bette and Joan

#2153

MISSING: Tony Winners Who Haven't Been Back

Every season, actors and actresses give award-winning and (many times) career-defining performances.  For those performers, winning a Tony Award is a pinnacle of their stage resumes. A lot of these talented individuals return to the Rialto again and again. But then there are those who grab those silver discs and dash off, never to be seen again!

Okay, to be fair, some don't come back because they've returned to their home country. Others secure long-term and lucrative gigs on television and film. And many of those keep a toe in the Broadway pond with theater-related side jobs. Eventually, though it can be several years, many do come back. Look at Karen Olivo - she finally returned to the Main Stem this season in Moulin Rouge! following a full decade of absence after her Tony win for West Side Story. So there is still hope for the nine folks on the list below. All of them won Tonys over the 2000 - 2014 seasons, and have yet to return. (We figure it's reasonable to take a 5 year break to do other things.) Fingers crossed that they all make a return and soon!

Marissa Jaret Winokur - Best Actress in a Musical 2003 - as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray
Since the Tony: TV, including Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Big Brother; no new Broadway roles, though she did return to close the show

Sara Ramirez - Best Featured Actress in a Musical 2005 - as Lady of the Lake in Spamalot
Since the Tony: TV, including Grey's Anatomy

Christian Hoff - Best Featured Actor in a Musical 2006 - as Tommy Devito in Jersey Boys
Since the Tony: Was in the 2008 revival of Pal Joey, but was replaced during previews by Matthew Risch

Gregory Jbara - Best Featured Actor in a Musical 2009 - as Dad in Billy Elliot: The Musical
Since the Tony: Continues to appear in TV's Blue Bloods

Steve Kazee - Best Actor in a Musical 2012 - as Guy in Once
Since the Tony: TV/film; left Pretty Woman after out of town tryout

James Corden - Best Actor in a Play 2012 - as Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors
Since the Tony: The Late Late Show; Tony Awards Host, Crosswalk Musicals, Films: Into the Woods (The Baker), Cats (Bustopher Jones)

Patina Miller - Best Actress in a Musical 2013 - as the Leading Player in Pippin
Since the Tony: TV including Madame Secretary

Neil Patrick Harris - Best Actor in a Musical 2014 - as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Since the Tony: TV/film; Tony Awards Host

Lena Hall - Best Actress in a Musical 2014 - as Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Since the Tony: Singer; currently in Bat Out of Hell at City Center

#2146

Broadway Pulse: Best Ensemble in a Musical

The results from last week:
FAVORITE CURRENT LONG-RUNNING BROADWAY SHOW:
1. Come From Away (59.09%)
2. Wicked (36.36%)
3. Waitress (4.55%)

Today's the day! The 2017-2018 Tony Awards nominations are out, and it's time to react - cheer and grumble, start making guesses about the winners, and start thinking about the 2018-2019 season!

Recently, Actors' Equity Association began petitioning for a new Tony Award that recognizes the artistry, talent and contribution of the Ensemble and the Chorus.  According to Equity, an ensemble is defined as "entire company of a musical or play, including principal, featured, chorus, and swing roles." 

Today's Broadway Pulse Poll asks YOU to play Tony Nominating Committee, and select up to 4 ensembles (by definition) of this season's musicals. After the poll closed, the top 4 nominees (5 if the votes dictate, just like the real Tonys!) will be announced, and we'll vote for a final winner!

YOU CAN PICK UP TO FOUR  NOMINEES. YOU MUST CLICK THE "VOTE" BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM FOR THE VOTE TO COUNT!

Jeff and Mike's "If I Was a Tony Nominator" Lists!

Before I start today, I want to take a moment to thank the many of you that have have come back to my blog after my time away.  I really appreciate it! (Tell your friends!)  And thank you to to those of you who have taken time to write with comments and questions, too.

Lately, one question I've gotten a lot is whether or not Mike and I will do our annual Tony nominations guesses/picks.  Well, this year, he and I have only gotten around to seeing 6 of the eligible productions prior to tomorrow's announcement: Three Tall Women, Prince of Broadway, The Band's Visit, My Fair Lady, Once On This Island, and Carousel. (We are seeing Angels in America, Mean Girls and Frozen this weekend!) So, we decided to just talk about those six shows and list those shows, performers and creatives that we'd nominate if we were on the Tony committee.  We did these lists separately, and it's interesting how similar our picks are.  Be sure to mail (jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com), Tweet (@jkstheatrescene) or leave a comment below telling us how you think we did!

So, how'd we do?

• Mike was the big winner: 87.8% of his guesses were correct. And he got all 11 of The Band's Visit's nominatons exactly right!
• Jeff didn't do too badly: 80.4% of his guesses were correct.

MIKE’S “IF I WERE A TONY NOMINATOR” LIST
Three Tall Women (8)	Prince of Broadway (0)	The Band’s Visit (11)
Play Revival		Musical
Director  Joe Mantello		Director  David Cromer
Scenic Design  Miriam Buether		Score  David Yazbek
Lighting Design  Paul Gallo		Book  Itamar Moses
Sound Design  Fitz Patton		Scenic Design  Scott Pask
Actress   Glenda Jackson		Lighting Design  Tyler Micoleau
Feat. Actress  Laurie Metcalf		Sound Design  Kai Harada
Feat. Actress  Alison Pill		Orchestrations  Jamshied Sharifi
		Actor  Tony Shalhoub
		Actress  Katrina Lenk
		Feat. Actor  Ari’el Stachel

MORE BELOW

JEFF’S “IF I WERE A TONY NOMINATOR” LIST
Three Tall Women (6)	Prince of Broadway (1)	The Band’s Visit (11)
Play Revival	Feat. Actress Emily Skinner	Musical
Director  Joe Mantello		Director  David Cromer
Scenic Design  Miriam Buether		Score  David Yazbek
Lighting Design  Paul Gallo		Book  Itamar Moses
Actress  Glenda Jackson		Scenic Design  Scott Pask
Feat. Actress  Laurie Metcalf		Lighting Design  Tyler Micoleau
		Orchestrations  Jamshied Sharifi
		Actor  Tony Shalhoub
		Actress  Katrina Lenk
		Feat. Actor  Ari’el Stachel
		Feat. Actor  John Cariani

MORE BELOW

MIKE’S “IF I WERE A TONY NOMINATOR” LIST
My Fair Lady (5)	Once On This Island (9)	Carousel (8)
Musical Revival	Musical Revival	Musical Revival
Scenic Design  Michael Yeargan	Director  Michael Arden	Choreography  Justin Peck
Costume Design Catherine Zuber	Scenic Design  Dane Laffrey	Costume Design Ann Roth
Actress  Lauren Ambrose	Costume Design Clint Ramos	Lighting Design  Brian MacDevitt
Feat. Actress Diana Rigg	Lighting Design  Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer	Orchestrations  Jonathan Tunick
	Sound Design  Peter Hylenski	Actress  Jessie Mueller
	Actress  Hailey Kilgore	Actor  Joshua Henry
	Feat. Actor  Alex Newell	Feat. Actress  Lindsay Mendez
	Feat. Actress  Lea Salonga

MORE BELOW

JEFF’S “IF I WERE A TONY NOMINATOR” LIST
My Fair Lady (7)	Once On This Island (12)	Carousel (9)
Musical Revival	Musical Revival	Musical Revival
Director  Bartlett Sher	Director  Michael Arden	Choreography  Justin Peck
Scenic Design  Michael Yeargan	Choreography  Camille A.Brown	Costume Design Ann Roth
Costume Design Catherine Zuber	Scenic Design  Dane Laffrey	Lighting Design  Brian MacDevitt
Sound Design  Marc Salzberg	Costume Design Clint Ramos	Sound Design  Scott Lehrer
Actress  Lauren Ambrose	Lighting Design  Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer	Orchestrations  Jonathan Tunick
Feat. Actress  Diana Rigg	Sound Design  Peter Hylenski	Actor  Joshua Henry
	Orchestrations  Annmarie Milazzo and Michael Starobin	Actress  Jessie Mueller
	Actress  Hailey Kilgore	Feat. Actress  Lindsay Mendez
	Feat. Actor  Alex Newell
	Feat. Actor  Philip Boykin
	Feat. Actress  Kenita R. Miller