Since I haven't been to New York in several years and have seen none of the shows involved, I don't have a lot to say about the Tony Award Nominations that were announced this morning. Mark Rylance is up for two and I hope he wins at least one. I have no idea how deserving he is compared to the others but the guy just gives the best damn acceptance speeches ever.
Over all, the list sounds like the Tony Awards telecast on June 8 will be less than enthralling. There are new nominations that will spur rooting interest outside the folks involved in the productions. Hugh Jackman is hosting this year because Neil Patrick Harris is busy starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (for which he is nominated) and Neil may have picked a very good year to skip. Broadway really hasn't had a blockbuster smash — the kind that generates interest outside Times Square — since The Book of Mormon, two years ago. I fear the greatest attention this time around will be paid to wondering whether Woody Allen will win for Best Book of a Musical for Bullets Over Broadway.
I suspect he won't. The show hasn't garnered the reviews and wasn't even nominated for Best Musical. Interestingly, the most nominations were for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, which isn't doing great business these days according to reported grosses.