BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "ToB: Thursday, May 1, 2025 | Tony Nomination Day!"
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Matt Tamanini
Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Episode Title: ToB: Thursday, May 1, 2025 | Tony Nomination Day!
Introduction
On the May 1, 2025 episode of BroadwayRadio, host Matt Tamanini dives deep into the excitement surrounding the Tony Nominations. Tamanini, fresh from the whirlwind of nomination announcements by stars Wendell Pierce and Sarah Paulson, provides listeners with a comprehensive rundown of the nominees across various categories. With a mix of anticipation and analytical insight, Matt sets the stage for an engaging discussion on one of Broadway's most prestigious events.
Production Categories
Best Musical
Matt begins by highlighting the nominees for Best Musical:
- Buena Vista Social Club
- Dead Outlaw
- Death Becomes Her
- Maybe Happy Ending
- Operation Mincemeat
He reflects on his predictions, stating, "I got four out of the five here. I had Buena Vista, Dead Outlaw, maybe Happy Ending, and Operation Mincemeat" ([05:10]). Matt expresses confidence in Tina Landau and Adam Gettle potentially winning for Floyd Collins, given its Broadway debut and the eligibility of its creators.
Best Play
The nominees nominated are:
- English
- The Hills of California
- John Proctor is the Villain
- Oh Mary
- Purpose
Matt shares, "I had English, John Proctor, Oh Mary, and Purpose. I had Good Night and Good Luck in that slot" ([07:45]). He notes the surprise inclusion of The Hills of California, which he anticipated could edge out if Good Night and Good Luck wasn't nominated.
Best Revival of a Musical
Nominees include:
- Floyd Collins
- Gypsy Pirates
- The Penzance Musical
- Sunset Boulevard
Matt anticipates a win for Floyd Collins, anticipating accolades for both Tina Landau and Adam Gettle ([09:20]). He confidently states, "I had all five of these. That was pretty unsurprising there."
Best Revival of a Play
The contenders are:
- Eureka Day
- Romeo and Juliet
- Our Town
- Yellowface
Matt expresses surprise, "I'm honestly a little surprised because that means that there is not a single currently running show in this category" ([11:05]). He correctly predicted Eureka Day and Yellowface but was caught off guard by the absence of Glengarry Glen Ross, which didn't make the final nominations.
Performance Categories
Best Performance by an Actress in a Play
Nominees:
- Tala Ashe for English
- Jessica Hecht for Eureka Day
- Marjan Neshat for English
- Fina Strazza for John Proctor as the Villain
- Kara Young for Purpose
Matt noted his predictions, "I had Ashstrasza, Neshat, and Young, but I had Bianca Lee in there for Oh Mary with Hecht getting that spot instead" ([12:30]).
Best Performance by an Actor in a Play
Featuring:
- Glenn Davis for Purpose
- Gabriel Ebert for John Proctor as the Villain
- Francis Zhu for Yellowface
- Bob Odenkirk for Glengarry Glen Ross
- Conrad Rickamora for Oh Mary
Matt reflects, "I had Rickamora, Zhu, and Ebert. I had Bill Burr and Kieran Culkin in there for Glengarry Glen Ross. I'm a little surprised that neither of them is in there, but Odenkirk is so very interesting about that" ([13:50]).
Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical
Nominees:
- Natalie Venetia Belcone for Buena Vista Social Club
- Julia Knitel for Dead Outlaw
- Gracie Lawrence for Just In
- Justina Machado for Real Women Have Curves
- Joy Woods for Gypsy
Matt shares his surprise, "Oliver Roth... she is in. So Oliver called that one, which I think is a little bit of a surprise... Joy Woods a little bit surprising because she has not really been featured as much in the precursor awards" ([15:05]).
Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical
The nominees include:
- Brooke Sashmanskis for Smash
- Jeb Brown for Dead Outlaw
- Danny Burstein for Gypsy
- Jack Malone for Operation Mincemeat
- Taylor Trench for Floyd Collins
Matt expresses astonishment, "Jeb Brown was not nominated for the award last year... It’s really surprising getting in there to me for Floyd Collins over some of these other guys" ([17:10]).
Design and Technical Categories
Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design
Matt methodically lists the nominees across various design categories, demonstrating the breadth of talent recognized within Broadway's technical aspects. He highlights key designers like Rachel Hauck for Swept Away and Paul Tazewell for Death Becomes Her, emphasizing the critical role these artists play in bringing productions to life.
Best Lighting and Sound Design
The episode covers nominees such as Natasha Chivers for The Hills of California and Jonathan Deans for Buena Vista Social Club in lighting and sound categories. Matt appreciates the complexity and creativity involved, stating, "There's a lot of these. Things like Dead Outlaw, John Proctor is the Villain, Floyd Collins, Just In Time, Stranger Things, the First Shadow. I haven't seen those yet, so I will certainly be excited about that" ([20:30]).
Special Tony Awards
Matt announces two special Tony Awards:
- Musicians of the Band for Buena Vista Social Club
- Illusions and Technical Effects for Stranger Things, the First Shadow
He remarks on the outstanding contributions these teams have made to their respective productions, underscoring Broadway's recognition of behind-the-scenes excellence ([22:00]).
General Discussion and Sentiments
Matt reflects on the overall quality of the Broadway season, noting, "I think there are home runs this season. I think there are some shows that are absolutely great, great shows... Buena Vista Social Club is a triple. Death Becomes Her, maybe a double, Picture of Dorian Gray, a triple. English, a triple" ([25:15]). He expresses disappointment over certain shows not receiving nominations, such as Cult of Love, highlighting the competitive nature of the current season.
Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, Matt teases future coverage, encouraging listeners to tune into Friday's episode where he and Grace Aki will discuss their reactions to the nominations ([28:00]). He also promotes additional content available on Patreon, urging fans to subscribe for exclusive insights and extended discussions.
Matt concludes with enthusiasm for the upcoming Tony Awards, stating, "We're excited to wrap up this season starting on Saturday... We will have tons of Tony related coverage both here in the regular feed and in Patreon throughout the next month" ([29:30]).
Notable Quotes:
- "Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious." – Advertisement for Dutch ([00:00], [14:40])
- "I will throw in a little bit of insight into my thoughts on these as we go through." – Matt Tamanini ([00:45])
- "I'm honestly a little surprised because that means that there is not a single currently running show in this category." – Matt Tamanini ([11:05])
- "Joy Woods a little bit surprising because she has not really been featured as much in the precursor awards." – Matt Tamanini ([15:05])
- "I’m really disappointed. It’s not even getting nominated for a single thing this season, which is wild and I think speaks to just how great of a season this was." – Matt Tamanini ([26:45])
Final Thoughts
Matt Tamanini's comprehensive analysis of the 2025 Tony Nominations provides Broadway enthusiasts with valuable insights into the current landscape of musical and theatrical productions. His balanced approach, mixing objective rundown with personal reflections, makes the episode both informative and engaging. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to Broadway, this episode of BroadwayRadio offers an in-depth look at the excitement and competition leading up to the Tony Awards.