"Re-Awarding the Tonys" : 2019
With the “quasi-Tonys” coming later on this fall, I thought it would be a good time to start a new series of columns where we take a look back at some past ceremonies and rethink how the awards were handed out.
While it’s hard to argue with many of the Tony voters’ choices, there have been some times where those who really deserved the award were overlooked. So let’s go back year by year and look at some categories that should’ve had a different result.
2019
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Who won: Elaine May – The Waverly Gallery
Should have won: Heidi Schreck – What the Constitution Means to Me
Elaine May’s performance was certainly excellent and deserving of an award in any other year. However, Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” is a theatrical achievement that deserved way more recognition than it got, starting with an award for Schreck’s incredible work onstage.
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
Who won: Santino Fontana – Tootsie
Should have won: Alex Brightman – Beetlejuice as Betelgeuse
No disrespect to Fontana, but his performance was nothing more than a charming leading man playing a role as a charming leading man does. Also, his award reinforced Tony voters’ strange admiration for men playing roles in drag(4 have won since 2010). Meanwhile, Brightman actually gave a transformative, nuanced performance as the title character in the Tim Burton adaptation. Most talent leading men could have filled Fontana’s shoes, that could barely be said for Brightman. He deserved to walk out of Radio City with an award in his hand.
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Who won: Stephanie J. Block - The Cher Show
Should Have Won: Eva Noblezada – Hadestown
Don’t mistake us, I love Stephanie J. Block and The Cher Show was surprisingly good. But Noblezada cemented herself as a permanent leading lady with her turn in Hadestown. I should also mention that 2019 was a terrible year for leading women Broadway(only 9 were eligible), which can never happen again.
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Who won: Rachel Hauck – Hadestown
Should have won: David Korins – Beetlejuice
Hauck’s work on Hadestown was absolutely deserving of a nomination. But if we’re being honest, Korins’ design work on Beetlejuice was not only one of the highlights of the show itself but also the entire Broadway season. It was a head-scratching moment to see him not win.
Best Musical
Who won: Hadestown
Should have won: The Prom
Yeah, I went there. To be honest, I thought this entire category was nomination wrong. I would have bounced Tootsie in favor of Be More Chill which deserved not only more nominations but also better treatment by Tony producers. But there seems to be a trend where Tony voters seem to follow Oscar voters by awarding shows that seem like sophisticated pieces of art rather than shows that demonstrate what musical theatre entertainment should be. Hadestown is certainly a work of art but The Prom checked off more boxes for what should be considered a “Best Musical” winner.