All Of It: Tony Nominations Announced Today
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Jackson McHenry, Theater Critic for Vulture and New York Magazine
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Introduction
In the latest episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes Jackson McHenry to discuss the recently announced Tony Award nominations. The conversation delves into the crowded nature of this year's Broadway season, notable nominations, surprising omissions, and standout performances. Listener interactions further enrich the discussion, offering diverse perspectives on the theatrical landscape.
Tony Awards Overview
Alison Stewart opens the show by highlighting the excitement surrounding the Tony nominations, noting a particularly crowded season with 42 eligible shows and 14 new musicals competing. She emphasizes the significance of this bustling season by stating, "It was an exciting day" (02:21).
Quote:
“It is an exciting day.” – Jackson McHenry [02:23]
Crowded Broadway Season
Jackson attributes the busy season to several factors, including post-pandemic cultural resurgence and increased participation from Hollywood actors seeking new ventures. He remarks, “It's been very full, which has meant also that it's been very competitive” (02:59).
Quote:
“It's been very full, which has meant also that it's been very competitive.” – Jackson McHenry [02:59]
Notable Omissions and Surprises
The conversation turns to surprising exclusions from the nominations. Jackson points out the omission of high-profile shows like Othello—starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal—and discusses the potential reasons behind such oversights.
Quote:
“You can't sort of coast in in a season this busy.” – Jackson McHenry [04:25]
Best New Musical
Alison and Jackson explore the nominees for Best New Musical, providing brief descriptions of each:
- Buena Vista Social Club – A story about the Cuban Revolution.
- Dead Outlaw – Based on a true story involving a corpse.
- Death Becomes Her – A movie about a movie, exploring Faustian bargains for youth.
- Happy Ending – A tale of two robots falling in love.
- Operation Mincemeat – Another true story centered around a World War II plot.
Quote:
“There's a real range of inspirations and genres. There's a real sort of platter of different options here.” – Jackson McHenry 05:10
Listener Feedback: Randy's Insights
Listener Randy shares her enthusiasm for Buena Vista Social Club, praising its music and Audra McDonald's performance in Gypsy, which she believes "gave me the chills." However, she expresses disappointment over George Clooney’s nomination for Best Actor, feeling it was undeserved despite his political stance and performance quality.
Quote:
“Audra McDonald in Gypsy gave me the chills. Her performance, like all of her performances, was absolutely out of this world.” – Randy 06:00
Best Musical Revival
The nominees for Best Musical Revival include:
- Floyd Collins
- Gypsy
- Pirates of Penzance, the Musical
- Sunset Boulevard
Jackson discusses the strengths of each, particularly highlighting the competition between Gypsy and Sunset Boulevard, and the unique qualities they bring to the category.
Quote:
“There's a lot of enthusiasm for Sunset as a production as a whole.” – Jackson McHenry 08:29
Audra McDonald's Role in Gypsy
A clip from Audra McDonald details her journey to playing Mama Rose in Gypsy. Encouraged by a friend, she advocated for a casting choice that brought a black woman to the iconic role, receiving support from Stephen Sondheim and director George C. Wolfe after an eight-year process.
Quote:
“You need to be a black woman, it should be you.” – Audra McDonald 09:52
Best Actor in a Musical
The nominees for Best Actor in a Musical are:
- Darren Criss – Maybe Happy Ending
- Andrew Duran – Dead Outlaw
- Tom Francis – Sunset Boulevard
- Jonathan Groff – Just In Time
- Jeremy Jordan – Floyd Collins
- James Monroe Iglehart – A Wonderful World
Jackson emphasizes the technical and performance challenges actors face, such as Tom Francis’s dynamic street performances in Sunset Boulevard and Andrew Duran’s portrayal of a corpse in Dead Outlaw.
Quote:
“How much are you sweating? How much are you putting in the blood, sweat and tears for all of this?” – Jackson McHenry 17:48
Listener Feedback: Zoe and Jennifer
Listeners Zoe and Jennifer praise Dead Outlaw and Sunset Boulevard respectively. Zoe highlights the show's humor and storytelling, while Jennifer appreciates the stripped-down, artful presentation of Sunset Boulevard, noting its multimedia and film noir elements.
Quotes:
“It’s hilarious, it’s weird. It’s pure storytelling without a lot of bells and whistles.” – Zoe 22:03
“It was so stripped down and then it was like the best thing I’d seen in forever.” – Jennifer 26:10
Best Play in English
The nominees include:
- Hills of California – A saga built around Laura Donnelly.
- O Mary – Featuring Mary Todd Lincoln as a cabaret star.
- Purpose – A narrative about a family of civil rights leaders.
- John Proctor – A modern take on The Crucible.
Jackson praises the selection for its diversity, particularly noting Hills of California and Purpose for their compelling narratives.
Quote:
“It was a beautiful piece about mostly women in Iran learning English.” – Jackson McHenry 13:13
Best Actress in a Musical
The nominees are:
- Jasmine – Boop
- Amy Rogers – Boop
- Megan Hilty – Death Becomes Her
- Audra McDonald – Gypsy
- Nicole Scherzinger – Sunset Boulevard
- Jennifer Simard – Death Becomes Her
Jackson and Randy discuss the chemistry between Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard in Death Becomes Her, highlighting their balanced performances and comedic timing.
Quote:
“They play off each other very well. They’re doing the Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn characters.” – Randy 19:33
Additional Listener Perspectives
Other listeners commend Operation Mincemeat for its innovative storytelling and technical execution, while Eureka Day is praised for its timely commentary on vaccination policies. The diverse feedback underscores the vibrant and multifaceted nature of this Broadway season.
Quote:
“I think it's going to become, if it's not already, a culture thing.” – Rita from Northport 25:08
Conclusion
All Of It provides a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the Tony Award nominations, enriched by expert insights and passionate listener contributions. The discussion not only highlights standout performances and productions but also reflects the dynamic and competitive spirit of Broadway's current landscape.
Notable Quotes
- Jackson McHenry: “It's a tough industry.” 12:46
- Randy: “You must love this Cuban, Afro Cuban music to see the show.” 06:00
- Alison Stewart: “I was blown away. It was so incredible.” 26:50
- Randy: “I adore George Clooney.” 06:00
This episode of All Of It is a must-listen for theater enthusiasts and cultural commentators alike, offering an in-depth look at one of Broadway's most competitive seasons in recent history.