During the pandemic, Emmys, Emmys, Golden Globes and Grammys all held their ceremonies. It’s time to celebrate live theater with the Tony Awards
Sunday’s show was extended from the usual three-hour duration to four hours. Audra McDonald handed out Tonys for two hours, while Leslie Odom Jr. hosted a “Broadway’s Back!” celebration, which included the presentation of three trophies: best play revival, best musical, and best play.
McDonald’s stated that this allows a lot more shows, with the joy that Broadway brings, to be shown in a way that reminds the public that they are here to stay and that there is a safe way to do so.
While other entertainment industries such as TV and film were able to resume during the pandemics, Broadway was not able to do so due to financial and physical limitations. Any Broadway reopening would be possible only if all capacity restrictions were lifted. Broadway’s economics require full capacity.
The dark musical “Jagged Little Pill” is based on Alanis Morissette’s 1995 album. It tells the story of a family that spirals out of control.
“Moulin Rouge!” is a jukebox version of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 hyperactive movie about the happenings in a Parisian nightclub. It has 14 nods.
“Slave Play,” Jeremy O. Harris’ groundbreaking, bracing play that mixes race and sex with taboo desires, was nominated for a dozen Tony Awards. It is the most-nominated Tony play.
The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez was also nominated 11 times. It’s a seven-hour, two-part epic that uses “Howards End”, as a starting point to a play that examines gay life in the 21st century. Twelve nominations were given to “Tina — The Tina Turner Musical,” a musical that tells the story of the rock legend with songs like “Let’s Stay Together”, and “Proud Lady.”
The 18 eligible musicals and plays that were part of the 2019-2020 season were used to determine this season’s nominations. This is a fraction compared to the 34 shows from the previous season. There are 26 categories that compete in most years. There are 25 categories this year, with many depleted. Theater insiders believe that an awards show is more important now than ever.
James Corden hosted the Tonys 2016 and said, “I would argue that it’s more essential than ever in a way.” “If there is a year we should celebrate them, it’s the year where people’s whole lives have been ripped apart and turned upside-down.”
There are two interesting races: whether Celia Rose Gooding (daughter of Tony Award-winner LaChanze) will be awarded a Tony for her work in “Jagged Little Pill” or if Danny Burstein, the fan favorite, will be awarded a Tony for his role in “Moulin Rouge!” The Musical” Many will be watching to see if Karen Olivo is crowned best leading actress in musical, even though she has since resigned from “Moulin Rouge!” The Musical” was created in frustration with Broadway.
McDonald’s six-time Tony-winner McDonald’s is more than a host. She is up for best actress in a play. If she wins, that would bring her seven Tonys, breaking her own record of the most Tonys won for a performer. Aaron Tveit is the only nominee for the best leading actor award in a musical. Voting was completed in March for the nominees.
The 2019 Tony Awards ceremony was the last. Broadway theaters were forced to close abruptly on March 12, 2020 by the virus. This wiped out all performances and ruined the spring season. Many have been restarted, including “Wicked”, “Hamilton” or “The Lion King”.
