By Matthew Wexler
Broadway’s biggest honor announced nominees for the 78th annual Tony Awards, to be held on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall. The day brings a rush of excitement for cast, creatives, and producers who hope to capitalize on the recognition to boost ticket sales in a highly competitive season, in which all but one of the Broadway houses currently have a show running.
But there’s only so much room on the ballot, and glaring omissions become just as much a part of the discourse as those we celebrate. This year’s committee included 62 members, who attended all eligible productions.
While there will be plenty of buzz and predictions about who might win, we’re taking a hot minute to celebrate incredible work that didn’t get a nod but deserves recognition.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
The crowded category left little wiggle room for so many outstanding performances. Here are three that we wish could have also made the ballot:
Jason Gotay, ‘Floyd Collins’
An otherwise moody musical about a real-life spelunker who gets stuck while exploring a Kentucky cave got a lift from Jason Gotay’s bright performance as the title character’s brother, with one eye on Hollywood and the other on saving his sibling.
Julio Monge, ‘Buena Vista Social Club’
The Cuban musicians, made famous by the 1999 documentary, get a Broadway musical treatment. The show received 10 nominations, but Julio Monge, who ties the multigenerational story together with humor and heart, also deserved a nod.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
David Hyde Pierce, ‘Pirates! A Penzance Musical’
A jazz-inspired Pirates! The Penzance Musical anchored its approach with a perfectly timed comedic performance by past Tony winner David Hyde Pierce. Given the stage time of his competitors, he may have had a better chance at securing a nomination had he been considered for the Featured Actor category.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Pooya Mohseni, ‘English’
Mohseni’s heartbreaking performance as an Iranian grandmother attempting to learn English to maintain her relationship with her son and grandchildren was one of many standout performances in Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The nomination would have marked the first time a transgender performer received such recognition.
Best Choreography
Warren Carlyle, ‘Pirates! A Penzance Musical’
Pirates! A Penzance Musical marks Carlyle’s 17th Broadway show. Though flashier productions opened this season, the loosey-goosey physicality was a fresh style of movement for the tap expert, who, with director Scott Ellis, assembled a refreshingly diverse company that could do it all.
Curious for more? Check out 1MC’s review page.
