Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – "Who got snubbed by the Tonys? | The shows and actors who missed out on 2024 Award nominations"

Release Date: May 27, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of MickeyJoTheatre, host Mickey-Jo delves into the 2024 Tony Award nominations, focusing on the shows, actors, and creatives who were notably absent from the nominee list. Drawing from his extensive experience and recent Broadway season observations, Mickey-Jo provides insightful analysis into potential snubs and the factors contributing to their omission.

Overview of the 2024 Tony Awards

Mickey-Jo begins by contextualizing the significance of the Tony Awards within the Broadway community. He explains:

"The Tony Awards are an annual celebration of some of the best of Broadway theater... produced largely plays and musicals in Midtown Manhattan" (00:00).

He highlights the timing of the nominations and awards, noting their impact on a show's financial success and longevity on Broadway.

Completely Shut Out Shows

Mickey-Jo identifies several productions that received no nominations:

1. Once Upon a One More Time

   • Described as a "Britney Jukebox Musical" with a campy and insincere tone.
   • Opened in the summer, a typically disadvantageous period for Tony recognition.

2. Harmony

   • Ran at the Barrymore Theatre but closed prematurely.
   • Elements felt dated, possibly hindering its nomination prospects.

3. How to Dance in Ohio

   • Opened at the Belasco Theatre and also closed shortly after.
   • Suggestion that an Off-Broadway debut might have garnered more attention and nominations.

4. Heart of Rock and Roll

   • A charming and buoyant show praised for its enjoyment factor.
   • Lack of sincerity cited as a barrier to Tony recognition.

5. The Wiz (Revival)

   • Surprisingly received no nominations, despite expectations for cast performance recognitions.
   • Mickey-Jo notes limited exposure due to minimal critical engagement.

Mickey-Jo remarks on the competitive nature of the season:

"This was a crazy busy year, especially for new musicals and musical performances" (12:45).

Largely Snubbed Shows

Several shows received minimal nominations despite expectations:

1. The Notebook

   • Nominated in a few creative categories but fewer than anticipated.
   • Specific performances, such as Joy Woods’ portrayal of Joy, were overlooked.

2. Here Lies Love

   • Closed prematurely but still secured nominations for original score and set design.
   • Performers did not receive nominations.

3. Greyhouse

   • Praised for its technical elements like lighting and sound.
   • Received a couple of nominations despite early closure.

4. Back to the Future (Musical)

   • Roger Bart was nominated, but leading man Casey Likes was not.
   • Reflects the show's niche appeal compared to more artsy productions.

5. Gutenberg

   • A two-person show that did not secure major nominations.
   • Josh and Andrew, the leads, were both snubbed.

6. Uncle Vanya

   • Steve Carell starring did not receive a nomination, though William Jackson Harper did.
   • Commentary on celebrity influence and Tony voting dynamics.

Snubbed Creatives

The episode highlights notable omissions in creative categories:

1. Rebecca Frecknell – Director of Cabaret Revival

   • Despite Cabaret’s many nominations, Frecknell was not recognized.
   • Mickey-Jo advocates for more female representation in directing nominations.

2. Corey Patak – Lighting Designer for The Great Gatsby

   • Praised for innovative lighting, yet not nominated.

3. Paul Tate DePoo III – Scenic and Projection Designer for The Great Gatsby

   • Noted for exceptional set design blending flats and projections.

4. Lauren Lotaro – Choreographer for Heart of Rock and Roll

   • Described as "whimsical and clever," deserving a nomination.

5. Ingrid Michelson – Composer for The Notebook

   • Recognized for a "beautiful and stirring" score but overlooked.

6. Gareth Owens – Sound Design for Tommy

   • Deserved recognition, though acknowledged for Hell's Kitchen instead.

Mickey-Jo emphasizes the importance of recognizing behind-the-scenes talents to elevate the overall quality of productions.

Snubbed Performers

Performance categories saw several deserving actors and actresses missing out:

1. Casey Likes – Back to the Future

   • Despite being a leading man and previous nominations, he was not nominated.

2. Will Keane – Patriots

   • Won the Olivier Award but did not secure a Tony nomination for his supporting role.

3. Steve Carell – Uncle Vanya

   • A prominent name whose performance did not receive recognition, overshadowed by William Jackson Harper.

4. Francis Benhamou – Prayer for the French Republic

   • Delivered standout performances but was not nominated.

5. Dorian Harewood & Marianne Plunkett – The Notebook

   • Both received nominations, though others like Joy Woods did not, sparking surprise.

6. Liam Pierce – How to Dance in Ohio

   • Erin James adds:

     "This nomination genuinely surprised me that we didn't see it and I was really rooting for this one" (30:05).

   • Pierce's expressive performance was deemed deserving of recognition.

7. Conrad Ricamora – The Notebook

   • Praised for his portrayal but did not receive a nomination.

8. Joy Woods – The Notebook

   • Despite memorable moments, missed out on a nomination.

Mickey-Jo and co-host Erin James discuss the emotional impact of these snubs, especially for emerging talents who could greatly benefit from Tony recognition.

Conclusion and Community Engagement

Mickey-Jo wraps up by inviting listeners to share their thoughts and suggest additional snubs in the comments section. He emphasizes the subjective nature of nominations and acknowledges that perceptions of snubs may vary among the audience.

"If there is a performer, a show, a creative that I didn't mention... Please put their name in the comments section down below" (31:34).

He also teases upcoming content, including predictions for the Tony winners and further coverage on his YouTube channel, encouraging subscriptions for more theatre-related content.

Notable Quotes

• Mickey-Jo on Snubbing Terminology:

  "...the word we tend to use for that is snubbed, which is a weird word if you think about it. What's the historical context for snubbed?..." (00:00)

• Erin James on Liam Pierce's Snub:

  "This nomination genuinely surprised me that we didn't see it and I was really rooting for this one..." (30:05)

• Mickey-Jo on Cabaret’s Director Snub:

  "...Rebecca Frecknell deserves that nomination..." (25:15)

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive examination of the 2024 Tony Award nominations, spotlighting the achievements and oversights within the Broadway community. Mickey-Jo’s detailed analysis, supported by specific examples and personal insights, offers valuable perspectives for theatre enthusiasts and industry followers alike.

For more detailed discussions and reviews, subscribe to MickeyJoTheatre’s YouTube channel and stay tuned for upcoming episodes on Tony Awards predictions and Broadway analyses.

Timestamp Reference:

• (MM:SS) indicates the minute and second mark in the transcript where the quote or information was discussed.