Tony Nominations: Hamilton, The Color Purple, Etcetera
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 10:53AM 
In what we're choosing to interpret as a "changing of the guard" moment, two Book of Mormon stars (Andrew Rannells and Nikki M. James) announced the Hamilton Awards this morning. Or, rather, the Tony Award Nominations though the bulk of them went to the hot show of the now, Hamilton. In fact it busted the previous record of most nominations which was 15 (held jointly by The Producers and Billy Elliott) by 1 nomination. Shouldn't Rory O'Malley have been present, too, in this announcement since he's the only Tony-nominated Book of Mormon alum in Hamilton (having just replaced Jonathan Groff)?
The Tony Awards will be held on June 12th and broadcast on CBS at 8 pm EST.
Most Nominations Musicals:
Hamilton - 16
Shuffle Along - 10
She Loves Me - 8
Can Jessica Lange add a Tony to her trophy shelf for "Long Day's Journey Into Night"? She already has 1 SAG, 2 Oscars, 3 Emmys, and 5 Golden Globes
Most Nominations Plays:
Long Day's Journey Into Night - 7
The Humans - 6
All the nominees (including several Oscar players) and some errant thoughts come after the jump...
Best Musical
Bright Star
Hamilton
School of Rock
Shuffle Along
Waitress
This is very good news for Bright Star, which doesn't have quite the built-in audience that the other shows have. A bluegrass musical on Broadway? That's thanks to Steve Martin (co-writing with Edie Brickell). But fans of American Psycho probably arent pleased with the Tony nominating committee this morning.
Best Play
Eclipsed by Danai Gurira -- closes June 19th
King Charles III by Mike Bartlett - already closed
The Father by Florian Zeller -- closes June 12th
The Humans by Stephen Karam
Best Revival of a Musical
The Color Purple (REVIEWED)
She Loves Me (REVIEWED) -extended to July 10th
Fiddler on the Roof -
Spring Awakening - already closed
I'm a little surprised that She Loves Me performed the best in nominations from all the revivals. It's well produced and charming but featherweight really and not "exciting" in the way some productions are. I'm guessing The Color Purple wins this.
Best Revival of a Play
Arthur Miller's The Crucible (REVIEWED) - closes July 17th
Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge - already closed
Blackbird - closes June 11th
Long Day's Journey Into Night - closes June 26th
Noises Off - already closed
This looks like a big showdown between Long Days Journey Into Night and the much-raved A View From the Bridge which has already closed.
Best Leading Actor in a Play
Gabriel Byrne, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Jeff Daniels, Blackbird
Frank Langella, The Father
Tim Pigott-Smith, King Charles III
Mark Strong, A View From the Bridge
These men have 1 Oscar nomination, 6 Emmy nominations and 1 Emmy, 13 Tony nominations and 3 Tonys between them and the bulk of those stats (including every single Tony win) belong to Frank Langella.
Best Leading Actress in a Play
Jessica Lange, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Laurie Metcalf, Misery
Lupita Nyong’o, Eclipsed
Sophie Okonedo, The Crucible
Michelle Williams, Blackbird
What a lineup. Pass it on!
Nominees for BEST ACTRESS, PLAY have 11 Oscar noms, 3 Oscar wins, 6 Emmy wins, 8 Tony Noms and 1 Tony win between them. #TonyAwards
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) May 3, 2016
Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Alex Brightman, School of Rock
Danny Burstein, Fiddler on the Roof
Zachary Levi, She Loves Me
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom Jr., Hamilton
Danny Burstein won't be a familiar name to people outside of theater-going but he's amazing onstage every time. I'm pleasantly surprised for Zachary Levi (loved him in his show) but at the expense of Benjamin Walker in American Psycho makes me sad (I'm finally seeing that show on Wednesday). Hamilton's campaign has been pushing Leslie Odom Jr hard for the win. You'll remember him as Sam on TV's "Smash"
Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Carmen Cusack, Bright Star
Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple
Jessie Mueller, Waitress
Phillipa Soo, Hamilton
This is probably a contest between Erivo and Soo. If Soo wins Hamilton could win the most Tonys ever (since The Producers had no leading lady when it won its every eligible awards) but Erivo has the buzz right now.
SURPRISE: There's no Audra McDonald. It's literally the first time she has NOT been nominated for a musical role, and only the second time she's been on Broadway where she's missed a nomination (the first was a dramatic role in Henry IV). Her Tony history is stellar with 8 noms and 6 wins from 10 eligible productions, both plays and musicals. She stars in Shuffle Along which the voters obviously loved so it must have been a just-miss.
Best Score
Sara Bareilles, Waitress
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater, School of Rock
Sara Bareilles, Waitress
Though this prize will obviously go to Lin-Manuel Miranda it's so fun to see Steve Martin nominated for his lesser known passion, right?
Best Orchestrations
August Eriksmoen, Bright Star
Larry Hochman, She Loves Me
Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton
Daryl Waters, Shuffle Along
Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton
Savion Glover, Shuffle Along
Hofesh Shechter, Fiddler on the Roof
Randy Skinner, Dames at Sea
Sergio Trujillo, On Your Feet!
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Es Devlin and Finn Ross, American Psycho
David Korins, Hamilton
Santo Loquasto, Shuffle Along
David Rockwell, She Loves Me
Best Costume Design of a Play
Jane Greenwood, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Michael Krass, Noises Off
Clint Ramos, Eclipsed
Tom Scutt, King Charles III
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Tuck Everlasting
Jeff Mahshie, She Loves Me
Ann Roth, Shuffle Along
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton
Best Book
Julian Fellowes, School of Rock
Steve Martin, Bright Star
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Howell Binkley, Hamilton
Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Shuffle Along
Ben Stanton, Spring Awakening
Justin Townsend, American Psycho
Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening
John Doyle, The Color Purple
Scott Ellis, She Loves Me
Thomas Kail, Hamilton
George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Pascale Armand, Eclipsed
Megan Hilty, Noises Off
Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans
Andrea Martin, Noises Off
Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed
Megan Hilty. YES. You know what that means since Leslie Odom Jr is also nominated (for leading actor in Hamilton)
Two SMASH alums nominated today! Congrats Ivy & Sam! pic.twitter.com/3zUR1ziNHQ
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) May 3, 2016
Best Featured Actor in a Play
Reed Birney, The Humans
Bill Camp, The Crucible
David Furr, Noises Off
Richard Goulding, King Charles III
Michael Shannon, Long Day's Journey Into Night
The Crucible didn't fare as well as I'd hoped but Bill Camp was quite terrific as the remorseful Reverend John Hale.
Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Renée Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton
Jane Krakowski, She Loves Me
Jennifer Simard, Disaster!
Adrienne Warren, Shuffle Along
I haven't seen enough of these to have a favorite yet but Brooks was just phenomenal in the Oprah role in The Color Purple. And since she's practically my favorite on Orange is the New Black (Go Taystee!) this is welcome news.
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Daveed Diggs, Hamilton
Brandon Victor Dixon, Shuffle Along
Christopher Fitzgerald, Waitress
Jonathan Groff, Hamilton
Christopher Jackson, Hamilton
Jonathan Groff has already left Hamilton, FYI (busy schedule). But you can still see the other 4 nominees if you manage tickets.
Best Direction of a Play
Rupert Goold, King Charles III
Jonathan Kent, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Joe Mantello, The Humans
Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed
Ivo van Hove, A View From the Bridge
Ivo Van Hove also directed The Crucible this year so he's had quite an amazing season.
TAKEAWAY BOOSTS
This means a huge boost in box office to most of the major nominees (though Hamilton and some of the limited runs -- like Long Day's Journey --don't need the help). I'd wager this will be most helpful in keeping Bright Star (currently playing at just 62% capacity) and getting Eclipsed through its final weeks. And it could prove a huge boon to shows that just barely opened like Shuffle Along.
For the curious the top sellers last weekend were...
- The Lion King (1.9 million)
- Hamilton (1.8 million)
- Wicked (1.6 million)
- The Book of Mormon (1.3 million)
- Circue du Soleil: Paramour (1 million)
- School of Rock (1 million)
- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (.9)
- On Your Feet! (.9)
- An American in Paris (.9)
- Waitress (.9)
But box office charts never tell the full story on Broadway just as they don't with movies since there are operating costs, trying to make back your budget, what percentage of the theater you're filling, and other such things to consider. For instance: Phantom of the Opera only plays to 80% or so capacity but it's probably never going to close (sigh) because it's earned billions and even though it's only earning around half of its potential each week that's still all gravy if they keep operating costs down. (And for some reasons tourists still want to see that ancient creeky thing.)
WILL WE SEE CLOSING NOTICES?
Every year after the Tony nominations closing notices tend to happen if shows didn't fare well and are already not dynamo box office. Disaster the Musical (1 nomination), which sends up Hollywood disaster flicks, is one such musical but it's already scheduled to close on July 3rd. The lack of Tony noms won't boost but probably won't hurt On Your Feet: The Gloria Estefan Story (1 nomination) since its selling on brand recognition to a degree (i.e. doing fine but not close to selling out). But this is definitely not good news for the family friendly Tuck Everlasting (1 nomination) based on the book of the same name.
Reader Comments (44)
American Psycho is unspeakably awful, so I'm glad to see it was nearly shut-out.
No Nicola Walker or Phoebe Fox is a huge oversight. I thought both were even better than Mark Strong (who hopefully will win to make up for it).
Jordan -- it's funny but that show seems so polarizing. some people just love it. and now i'm finding out that there's a strand of people who think Bright Star is awful (and i was under the impression that most people loved it).
I am shocked that Ana Villafane wasn't nominated for her rousing turn as Gloria Estefan!! She was amazing in that musical. Shame on them!!
Is Jessica Lange considered the front-runner? She's had a bumpy road on Broadway so I'm glad for her although I'm kind of rooting for Laurie Metcalf.
I'm sure Best Actor in a Play is a strong category, still I'm bit sorry Ben Whishaw has been overlooked
Lange intends to retire. I think she has the edge over her competitors for that reason alone.
I am ecstatic for Lange, Benanti and Goldsberry, who was a major force on my beloved soap One Life To Live.
Still in shock over the Ben Wishaw omission. He IS the reason to see The Crucible. And it's interesting how vibrantly divisive the shows are this year. Like you I've heard raves and rants about Bright Star, American Psycho (interesting), Crucible (loved) and more. It's passionate conversation...which to me means they're doing something right.
Considering that McDonald is to Broadway what Streep, Blanchett, and Winslet are to film -- nominated essentially for showing up -- I have to assume that lead actress competition was just too fierce this season (I've only seen Erivo, so I can't say for sure). Clearly, the American Theatre Wing loved the show itself enough (ten nods!), so what else could it be?
Really happy for Bill Camp! I've loved him ever sicne I saw him in the much underrated TAMARA DREWE. His Glen McCreavy was perfection.
Audra tweeted: "Audra wasn't and Audra is THRILLED with the nominations!!!"
@ brookesboy: EVANGELINE
@ Nathaniel, Tom M: there are even some people who hate Hamilton. (Not me, clearly, if you're following me on FB. I couldn't have awakened to better news today. Gooooooo Daveed!!!)
I've seen Audra several times and her Shuffle Along performance was something entirely different from anything else I've seen from her. I'm completely stunned that she was left off. Maybe Tony voters feel fatigue? :/
Jordan: seconded. American Psycho was honestly the worst show I've ever seen on Broadway and possibly the only time I've ever regretted buying my ticket.
Hamilton is obviously *The One*, but just like the Oscars, it can be a bummer when something steamrolls and sweeps in an otherwise fantastic year. Even with something as unquestionably great as Hamilton.
The Audra omission isn't that surprising. She's spectacular, but she's also part of a core ensemble cast where every other main character got bumped to supporting. Further, she's leaving Shuffle Along very soon to recreate Lady Day in London, so voters probably knew they wouldn't even get to see her perform the role again until after the Tony Awards. Politics, all of it.
So pleased that "She Loves Me" did well with nominations, always nice to see Benanti get nominated. What a line up for best actress for a play, all refugees from movies - where they aren't used enough.
I have seen none of these shows, but am disappointed for "American Psycho". I liked the London Cast Recording, and just on principle I'd like for something that bold and unusual to stick around for at least a little while. It may be flawed but it brought something new to the conversation.
Somebody please describe the horribleness of American Psycho, or, conversely, the not-horribleness of it. I saw a number (from I think the opening) that I was not exactly impressed by. It sounded like basic 80's pop. But others seem to think it's All That. WHO IS RIGHT! :)
Paul, now I'll be thinking about Daveed's major arms all day long lol
So, I haven't seen Hamilton, but I'm curious, do they do a Mozart-Salieri dynamic with Hamilton and Aaron Burr (Odom)?
I'm actually hurt that Benjamin Walker didn't get a nom for American Psycho. He was so great as Patrick.
The show? Honestly? I don't know what to really think. The visuals were outstanding and the satire was fun but there's a sort of emptiness that pervades the whole thing but that actually makes sense because it's about the vapidness of 80's excess. I really liked it but I can easily see why people would hate it. The music isn't that strong. My favorite song was probably in the air tonight and that's actually a 80's cover. The final song resonated with me but that's probably because there's a particularly cool visual attached to it. I liked it but it took me a few hours to reach that conclusion because I thought it was just so WEIRD. Also a **surprising** amount of choreography.
@Rob, I thought the opening number that they performed on Colbert was TERRIBLE but it works way better in context and on their stage. Sounds better too. I was surprised to have it stuck in my head after I left the show.
Having seen Long Day's Journey, Jessica Lange should clear a space on her mantle. And rightfully so. She is really at the height of her powers in this role, a truly stunning performance.
Jessica Lange always says that she is going to retire. In any event, I am really happy for her and the rest of that cast.
Chances that Hamilton will set a record for wins? Are the technical aspects that strong or is the momentum just with it?
@Derreck: yes, I know what you mean. The performance I saw was on Colbert. Not exactly a stellar song, but so different from the usual Broadway fare that it was intriguing enough (ok, ok and the lead in his underwear shore is a purty sight).
If anyone wants a great introduction to Jennifer Simard, watch this clip. Her 'Leave a Penny, Take a Penny' bit is art!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi24oOsdOz8
They are pushing for Odom in Hamilton? I guess they think Miranda will win enough, but Odom was almost unintelligible when I saw it. Is it bad that I hope Groff wins his category too? He was very entertaining, but it isn't as meaty as his two nominated co-stars.
Erivo will win in a cakewalk. I am hoping for Laurie Metcalf too.
Also, I can't believe The Lion King is still that popular. How many people going to Broadway shows still haven't seen it??
Audra's also missed a number of performances due to illness and isn't schedule to be in Shuffle Along for long-if she was ever going to miss, this was probably the time...though considering her Streep-like status on Broadway, it still counts as a snub.
This ends the "debut" EGOT that Jennifer Hudson was going for (winning an Oscar for her film debut and a Grammy for her first album).
Sad for Tuck Everlasting-it's not ardently flashy, but I still kind of liked it.
may megan hilty repeat her (in-show) win!
Langella might get a 4th win. He is incredible in The Father.
Really happy Laurie Metcalf made it in for 'Misery.' I've heard the play wasn't very good, but she's never less than sublime. Her performance in 'The Other Place' a few years back was incredible.
LadyEdith: Thankfully, Broadway traditionally has been more welcoming of female talent than most other performance media, including film, which means that older actresses and those of color have found opportunities on the stage that they rarely, if ever, get in anywhere else. Can you imagine a big-screen adaptation of The Crucible with Sophie Okonedo in the lead?
I guess I don't understand the eligibility dates. I thought Shuffle Along and Tuck Everlasting just opened?
Would have loved to see Nicola Walker with a nom. She's awesome in everything.
Pam -- they did just open. but critics and tony nominators see things in previews. so as long as a show opened before this past weekend I think it was (shuffle along being the last opening on the 28th) it was eligible.
Remember when the Tonys were refractory to movie stars? Fonda, Hurt, Hoffman, Lemmon, Taylor, Turner, Weaver... they all lost.
Watching Geneva Pine return to The Good Wife this week -- she was a regular character for a few seasons -- I kept thinking, "You're going to have a Tony soon!"
I'll miss that show since it's the main way this non-New Yorker gets to see these talents. Goldsberry, Odom, Benanti and Hilty just recently.
Thrilled for Benanti and KRAKOWSKI!!! She Loves Me will win best revival in a cakewalk.
I am not seeing Odom winning over Miranda in that category.
Rooting for Mark Strong and Jessica Lange.
The Tony easily goes to Goldsberry.
All in all, God, even I can't prepare for the Hamilton sweep later.
re: Nicola Walker
One of my favourites. She gave a guest performance that has just stuck with me in Being Human and her work in MI-5 was stellar. I was rooting for her, to be honest.
BD: I think Hamilton will fall short of the record. It's already guaranteed three losses, barring ties. I don't think lighting is guaranteed, no is Soo or Goldsberry.
Nothing for Lazarus? The play that featured David Bowie's music? Unless it was off-Broadway.
Very happy for all the Hamilton love apparently. And I hope it wins everything. But I do wish there were more love for Spring Awakening. At the very least, they should've been nominated for choreography. They perfectly integrated Sign Language in the show and actually made it BETTER. Sigh.
Have someone seen Blackbird? I'm so happy for Michelle Williams.
@ferdi: I saw Blackbird. Loved it. Definitely wouldn't be upset if Daniels or Williams wins. I'm really excited for the movie version with Rooney Mara and Ben Mendelsohn
Phillipa Soo was also on Smash, so that's actually three alumni of that show nominated. If you don't remember her, it's because she was basically just an extra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRSz3VGF7DM
@josh - interesting. do you know why the film isn't using the Broadway stars? They're both movie stars, too. Daniels probably even more so than Mendelsohn.