Podcast Summary: "Who was Snubbed by the Tony Awards? | The Shows and Performers Who Weren't Nominated in 2025"

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey-Jo)
• Episode: Who was Snubbed by the Tony Awards? | The shows and performers who weren't nominated in 2025
• Release Date: May 4, 2025

Mickey-Jo, the passionate host of MickeyJoTheatre, delves deep into the 2025 Tony Awards nominations, analyzing the notable omissions that left both critics and fans surprised. In this detailed episode, Mickey-Jo dissects each category, highlighting deserving shows, performances, and creatives that didn't receive the recognition they arguably deserved. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions and insights from the episode.

1. Introduction to Tony Awards Snubs

Mickey-Jo opens the discussion by reflecting on the excitement surrounding the Tony nominations. While he praises the nominations as a reflection of an extraordinary season, he emphasizes the inevitability of snubs due to the finite nature of award categories.

Mickey-Jo [00:00]: "Whenever we talk about awards, nominations... there is also the other side of that. Because these categories are finite... you also get snubs."

He sets the stage for the episode by defining a snub as "a lack of a nomination for someone or something that was really deserving of that nomination."

2. Best Musical Snubs

The Best Musical category saw several strong contenders, but Mickey-Jo identifies a few notable omissions.

• "Boop": Surprisingly absent despite leading the Drama Desk nominations, breaking the tradition of Drama Desk-leading musicals securing Tony nominations.

  Mickey-Jo [06:45]: "It is to a certain extent surprising not to see Boop here, particularly because it led the Drama Desk nominations."

• "Real Women Have Curves": Based on reviews and word of mouth, Mickey-Jo feels this show deserved a nomination but didn't make the cut.

  Mickey-Jo [09:30]: "Real Women have curves... could really have done with the Best New Musical nomination, didn't get one."

3. Best Play Snubs

In the Best Play category, Mickey-Jo acknowledges the strong nominees but points out significant omissions.

• "Job": A limited run from last summer, "Job" was forgotten amidst the competition, failing to secure any nominations.

  Mickey-Jo [15:10]: "I do think it sadly was just forgotten."

• "Stranger Things, the First Shadow" and "Cult of Love": Both played strong roles in the season but were overlooked for Best New Play.

4. Revival Snubs

Revival categories also saw Mickey-Jo expressing disappointment over certain exclusions.

• "Once Upon a Mattress": An updated version of the classic musical, it received no nominations, including for its leading lady, Sutton Foster.

  Mickey-Jo [21:50]: "Once Upon a Mattress... got no nominations whatsoever."

• "Othello": Despite smashing box office records and recouping in just nine weeks, this revival received no nominations, leading Mickey-Jo to question the Tony Awards' recognition of commercial success.

  Mickey-Jo [25:30]: "Othello got zilch... they sent out a press release talking about how the show had recouped in just nine weeks."

5. Direction Snubs

Mickey-Jo reviews both musicals’ and plays’ direction categories, highlighting deserving directors who were overlooked.

• George C. Wolfe for "Gypsy": An esteemed director who Mickey-Jo expected to see but wasn't nominated.

  Mickey-Jo [30:00]: "I did think that George C. Wolfe... would get into this category... but he didn't."

• Felicia Richard for "Purpose": Directed the play to critical acclaim, yet she wasn't recognized in the Best Director of a Play category.

  Mickey-Jo [34:20]: "The brilliant direction by Felicia Richard... should have been Tony nominated."

6. Design and Technical Categories Snubs

Mickey-Jo discusses the intricacies of set, lighting, and costume design, pointing out missing nominations.

• Set Design for "Sunset Boulevard": Despite its innovative video design elements, the set design team wasn't nominated.

  Mickey-Jo [38:10]: "Everything that you're seeing... was also credited to set design... wasn't nominated alongside the other sets."

• Lighting Design for "Dead Outlaw": Praised by a friend for its stunning lighting, it surprisingly didn't receive a nomination.

  Mickey-Jo [41:00]: "Dead Outlaw... didn't get recognized for its lighting because its lighting is apparently stunning."

• Costume Design for "Real Women Have Curves": While the show was nominated in other categories, its costume design, which Mickey-Jo found exceptional, was overlooked.

  Mickey-Jo [39:45]: "Real Women have Curves did get some recognition here, which was lovely to see."

7. Performance Snubs

The heart of the podcast centers on standout performances that didn't garner Tony nominations across various acting categories.

a. Leading Actor in a Play

• Kit Connor as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet": Mickey-Jo was "devastated" by the omission, praising his "charming performance."

  Mickey-Jo [47:30]: "He was so good. I know it's already closed, but so is Yellowface."

b. Featured Actor in a Play

• Kieran Culkin in "Glengarry Glen Ross": Despite winning an Academy Award, he wasn't nominated for his performance.

  Mickey-Jo [49:00]: "Kieran Culkin, the biggest surprise here, but I don't know, share what you think."

c. Leading Actress in a Play

• Kit Connor was mentioned again, but Mickey-Jo primarily focuses on the actress category, noting misses like Bianca Lee in "Oh Mary."

  Mickey-Jo [51:20]: "Bianca Lee is always one of my favourite parts of that production. I was so hoping to see a nomination."

d. Featured Actor and Actress in a Musical

• David Thaxton in "Sunset Boulevard": Praised for his "subtlety" and role depth, yet overlooked.

  Mickey-Jo [53:10]: "How do you not give that man a Tony Award nomination?"

• Grace Hodgett Young in "Operation Mincemeat": Deserving of a nomination for her performance but wasn't recognized.

  Mickey-Jo [54:45]: "Grace is one of the names that we're going to talk about in Featured actress in a musical not being nominated."

e. Leading Actor in a Musical

• John Gallagher Jr. in "Swept Away": Despite delivering a "terrific performance," he wasn't nominated.

  Mickey-Jo [58:20]: "John Gallagher Jr. Didn't get nominated for his terrific performance."

• Ramin Karimloo and David Hyde Pierce: Both delivered commendable performances but missed out on nominations.

8. Conclusion and Future Coverage

Mickey-Jo wraps up the episode by congratulating the nominees and expressing excitement for the upcoming Tony Awards ceremony in early June. He invites listeners to share their thoughts on the snubs and hints at future content, including predictions and reviews of remaining shows.

Mickey-Jo [1:15:00]: "Congratulations to everyone and everything that was nominated. I am so excited for the Tonys this year because... it has been such a fantastic, fantastic year of brilliant theatre."

Key Takeaways:

• "Boop" and "Real Women Have Curves" were significant snubs in the Best Musical category.
• "Job", "Stranger Things, the First Shadow", and "Cult of Love" missed out on Best Play nominations.
• Renowned directors like George C. Wolfe and Felicia Richard didn't receive nominations in their respective categories.
• Performances by Kit Connor, Kieran Culkin, David Thaxton, and others were notably absent from acting nominations.
• Technical categories such as set and lighting design had deserving omissions, highlighting the evolving nature of theatre production elements like video design.

Mickey-Jo's passionate analysis underscores the complexities and subjective nature of award nominations, especially in a season teeming with exceptional talent and productions. His insights provide a compelling look into the Tony Awards' decision-making process, celebrating those who were nominated while mourning those who were left out.

Stay Connected: For more in-depth theatre criticism, news, interviews, and lifestyle content, subscribe to Mickey-Jo's YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre.