Broadway Breakdown: "Ranking Tony Winners: An Experiment (and What I Learned)"

Host: Matt Koplik
Episode Release Date: March 20, 2025
Podcast Description: Matt Koplik, an outspoken and passionate theater enthusiast, delves into Broadway history weekly, exploring the careers of influential artists. Known for his entertaining mix of fun facts, deep analysis, and colorful language, Matt offers listeners an engaging take on the theatrical world.

Introduction to the Experiment

In this unique episode of Broadway Breakdown, Matt Koplik steps away from his typical deep dives into specific shows or Broadway season recaps to explore the legacy of Tony Award winners through an experimental ranking system he conducted on Instagram.

Matt Koplik [12:45]: "I always wondered with the Tony Awards, what is the lasting impression? What is the legacy of quality that we consider a Tony winner?"

Methodology: Crafting the Ranking System

Matt initiated his experiment by focusing on the Best Score category of the Tony Awards over the past 54 years (1971-2024). Rejecting common ranking approaches like performance-based or show-based rankings, he sought to evaluate the musical scores' enduring quality and legacy.

Steps Taken:

1. Bookending the Timeline: Started by selecting scores from the beginning (1980) and the most recent (2024) to prevent chronological bias.

2. Sequential Inclusion: Gradually included scores moving inward from the bookends, ensuring a diverse representation across decades.

3. Voting Structure: Utilized Instagram polls with a maximum of four voting options per round, necessitating strategic narrowing down through multiple voting phases.

4. Thresholds for Progression: Required a minimum of 200 votes or a 3-4 hour window for each voting round to proceed, ensuring significant engagement before advancing.

Matt Koplik [15:30]: "The historical impact of a score and the objective quality were key factors. The scores that hold up the best are the ones you can listen to on their own and are fantastic separate from the show."

Findings: The Final Rankings

Matt meticulously ranked 54 Tony-winning scores, discussing each one's merits, shortcomings, and the community's reaction. Below are highlights from different sections of the ranking:

Lower Rankings (52-40): Notable Discussions

• 52. Memphis
  Viewed as one of the weakest winners, praised for its energetic bops but criticized for weak lyrics and lack of lasting impact.

  Matt Koplik [35:10]: "Memphis was a display... If you were actually to come at it, there is nothing to absorb."

• 51. The Will Rogers Follies
  Despite its celebrated composers, the score is seen as more spectacle than substance, garnering buyer's remorse from voters.

  Matt Koplik [40:20]: "It's beautifully done, but there's nothing at the center of it. It's not one of Cy Coleman's best."

• 50. Gigi
  An adaptation noted for its limited original content, later disqualified under stricter eligibility rules, resulting in a low ranking.

  Matt Koplik [42:50]: "It's a salute to a legendary duo, but its competition wasn't egregious enough to stir significant backlash."

Mid Rankings (39-22): Balancing Legacy and Popularity

• 30. The Bridges of Madison County
  Highly regarded for its emotional depth and memorable duets but surprised Matt with its lower rank due to over-saturation and limited song standout moments.

  Matt Koplik [1:05:25]: "I expected it to be in the top 10 or 15, but it dropped as more scores were added."

• 22. Spring Awakening
  Celebrated for its innovative score and emotional resonance, yet faced challenges in maintaining high ranks as new entries diluted its position.

  Matt Koplik [1:10:40]: "It's beautiful and energizing, but perhaps too much for some, leading to divided opinions."

Top Rankings (21-10): Celebrated and Controversial Hits

• 21. Falsettos
  A Sondheim masterpiece appreciated for its intelligence and emotional complexity, though not universally loved, it secured a respected position.

  Matt Koplik [1:15:55]: "It's a perfect musical with phenomenal work, but some find it emotionally distant."

• 20. Rent
  An iconic score recognized for its impactful songs and cultural significance, despite its divisive reception over time.

  Matt Koplik [1:20:30]: "Rent is good and has a beautiful score, but its material can feel bumpy."

• 11. Hamilton
  Despite being a monumental hit and critically acclaimed, Hamilton occupies the number three spot, highlighting the complexity of public versus expert acclaim.

  Matt Koplik [1:35:10]: "It's an objectively well-done score, but some voters have moved it down due to over-praise."

Insights on Voting Culture and Legacy

Through his experiment, Matt observed several patterns in how Broadway fans engage with Tony Award rankings:

1. Buyer’s Remorse: Initial high rankings often led to voters pushing scores lower in subsequent rounds as their enthusiasm waned or doubts emerged.

2. Divisive Opinions: Scores like Dear Evan Hansen and Newsies showcased polarized reactions, reflecting personal tastes more than objective quality.

3. Legacy Over Time: Some scores maintained their prestige long after winning, while others faded, indicating that immediate acclaim doesn’t always translate to lasting legacy.

4. Voting Strategy and Bias: The limitation of Instagram polls to four options per round introduced challenges in accurately placing scores, often requiring votes to be split across broader categories before narrowing down.

Matt Koplik [1:25:00]: "When you think of a score, the best ones are those you can listen to on their own and then in context, they explode even further."

Conclusions and Takeaways

Matt Koplik’s experiment underscores the subjective nature of award rankings and the complexities involved in assessing artistic legacy. Key takeaways include:

• Art is Subjective: Personal preferences heavily influence how scores are ranked, making definitive rankings challenging.

• Legacy Evolves: The perception of a score can change over time, influenced by cultural shifts, revivals, and continued exposure.

• Engagement Factors: The method of voting and the platform used (e.g., Instagram polls) can significantly impact the results, introducing biases and limitations.

Matt Koplik [1:40:30]: "The feelings you have about a show or a performance are not necessarily fact. It is art and it is subjective."

As Matt wraps up the episode, he reflects on the insights gained from the experiment and hints at future episodes that will delve deeper into specific shows and their scores.

Matt Koplik [1:50:00]: "Think of Bowie discovering a new planet. We're on this journey together, unraveling how these scores stand the test of time."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a reflective piece on the nature of musical excellence and the ever-changing landscape of Broadway. Matt Koplik invites listeners to consider how awards and public opinion shape the legacy of musical scores, emphasizing that while rankings offer insight, they are ultimately a snapshot influenced by diverse and evolving perspectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Koplik [12:45]: "I always wondered with the Tony Awards, what is the lasting impression? What is the legacy of quality that we consider a Tony winner?"

• Matt Koplik [35:10]: "Memphis was a display... If you were actually to come at it, there is nothing to absorb."

• Matt Koplik [40:20]: "It's beautifully done, but there's nothing at the center of it. It's not one of Cy Coleman’s best."

• Matt Koplik [1:05:25]: "I expected it to be in the top 10 or 15, but it dropped as more scores were added."

• Matt Koplik [1:15:55]: "It's a perfect musical with phenomenal work, but some find it emotionally distant."

• Matt Koplik [1:20:30]: "Rent is good and has a beautiful score, but its material can feel bumpy."

• Matt Koplik [1:25:00]: "When you think of a score, the best ones are those you can listen to on their own and then in context, they explode even further."

• Matt Koplik [1:35:10]: "It's an objectively well-done score, but some voters have moved it down due to over-praise."

• Matt Koplik [1:40:30]: "Think of Bowie discovering a new planet. We're on this journey together, unraveling how these scores stand the test of time."

Whether you're a seasoned Broadway aficionado or a casual theatergoer, this episode provides a comprehensive look into how Tony Award-winning scores are perceived, remembered, and ranked by the public. Matt Koplik's candid analysis and engaging discussion offer valuable insights into the enduring legacy of Broadway's finest compositions.