With only one more month until nominations for this year’s Tony Awards are announced, I thought we’d discuss about some candidates for one category in particular, Best Revival of a Musical.
Why this category and not the others? Because all of the eligible candidates have officially opened (unless Shuffle Along… ends up being eligible as a revival, even though those who’ve seen it in previews so far think it should be eligible as a new musical).
Like last year, this has proven to be another great year for musical revivals. Though since there are only five eligible candidates this year, Tony nominators will only be given three slots to fill for this category. A fourth nominee can still be possible, but only if there is a close race between two shows in the nominating process. So let’s talk about the candidates, shall we?
What’s In?:
The Color Purple-It may have only been 10 years since the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel first debuted on Broadway, but this pared down production is really looking like a strong contender! While the original production was a hit, it still received some very mixed reviews from critics. This production on the other hand, people felt really made a difference.
Fiddler on the Roof-This may be the fifth Broadway revival of the 1964 timeless classic, but this is looking like a strong contender as well. The creative team made some bold choices with this production (you can read about one of them right here), and critics/audiences really seem to be on board with them.
She Loves Me-As Roundabout Theatre Company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, they’re currently presenting their second production of the 1963 musical adaptation of Miklos Laszlo’s Hungarian play Parfumerie. They first did it back in 1993 as the first musical they ever produced under the direction of Scott Ellis (who also directed the current production). And now 23 years later, the love letters this production received from the critics really makes this one a contender.
What Could Be Forgotten?:
Spring Awakening-This could follow the same fate Side Show faced last year. A critically acclaimed revival of a fan favorite musical (which also happens to be a tough sell to the general public) that just came and went earlier in the season and is forgotten by the time the Tony Awards come around (even though this production was a planned limited run). The only possible way Spring Awakening could be remembered with a nomination for Best Revival of a Musical is if there is a close race between this and one other show in the nominating process which would then lead to the expansion of nominees from three to four.
Longshot:
Dames at Sea-The Broadway premiere of this 1966 musical was not only short-lived, but also received a very mixed response. At this point, a Tony nomination for Dames at Sea really seems like a longshot.
Why this category and not the others? Because all of the eligible candidates have officially opened (unless Shuffle Along… ends up being eligible as a revival, even though those who’ve seen it in previews so far think it should be eligible as a new musical).
Like last year, this has proven to be another great year for musical revivals. Though since there are only five eligible candidates this year, Tony nominators will only be given three slots to fill for this category. A fourth nominee can still be possible, but only if there is a close race between two shows in the nominating process. So let’s talk about the candidates, shall we?
What’s In?:
The Color Purple-It may have only been 10 years since the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel first debuted on Broadway, but this pared down production is really looking like a strong contender! While the original production was a hit, it still received some very mixed reviews from critics. This production on the other hand, people felt really made a difference.
Fiddler on the Roof-This may be the fifth Broadway revival of the 1964 timeless classic, but this is looking like a strong contender as well. The creative team made some bold choices with this production (you can read about one of them right here), and critics/audiences really seem to be on board with them.
She Loves Me-As Roundabout Theatre Company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, they’re currently presenting their second production of the 1963 musical adaptation of Miklos Laszlo’s Hungarian play Parfumerie. They first did it back in 1993 as the first musical they ever produced under the direction of Scott Ellis (who also directed the current production). And now 23 years later, the love letters this production received from the critics really makes this one a contender.
What Could Be Forgotten?:
Spring Awakening-This could follow the same fate Side Show faced last year. A critically acclaimed revival of a fan favorite musical (which also happens to be a tough sell to the general public) that just came and went earlier in the season and is forgotten by the time the Tony Awards come around (even though this production was a planned limited run). The only possible way Spring Awakening could be remembered with a nomination for Best Revival of a Musical is if there is a close race between this and one other show in the nominating process which would then lead to the expansion of nominees from three to four.
Longshot:
Dames at Sea-The Broadway premiere of this 1966 musical was not only short-lived, but also received a very mixed response. At this point, a Tony nomination for Dames at Sea really seems like a longshot.