The Tony nominations are out and there are some surprises, not so much in what was nominated but in what wasn't. The folks behind Young Frankenstein are probably open-mouthed with amazement. The show got but three — one for scenic design, two for supporting actors. No nod for Best Musical or Best Score or Best Book or the leads…all those categories where the previous Mel Brooks musical swept. I didn't see most of the other contenders and it's quite possible they were all superior…but it also sounds like someone in the Broadway community felt Young Frankenstein deserved a public spanking instead of the possible box office assist.
Still, its three nominations were three more than the new revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof got…and The Little Mermaid didn't fare so well, either. The stage version of the Disney cartoon received only two — one for Best Score and one for lighting. I guess that means no number on the Tony telecast, just as there probably won't be one from Young Frankenstein.
November, which I saw and liked a lot, got a single nomination — for Laurie Metcalf's fine performance. That probably means it will close when Nathan Lane departs in July.
I'm pleased that Xanadu, which I saw and liked a lot, is up for Best Musical, as is its star Kerri Butler for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical…and a little surprised that its fine supporting cast, especially Jackie Hoffman, was overlooked.
All in all, it's an odd list…and one that will probably make for an especially low-rated Tony Awards broadcast. I don't see a single category in which many people will have any sort of rooting interest or where, as sometimes happens, a certain "win" will represent some sort of important statement. The most interesting announcement was that a special Lifetime Achievement Tony will be presented to Stephen Sondheim, which will probably allow them to do some big, star-studded medley of important Sondheim numbers.
And I think that's all I have to say about the nominations. Just that it's an odd list.