by Laura Weaver
It wouldn’t be an award ceremony without some sort of controversy, and the Tony’s are no exception to that. With the 2014 awards fast approaching, let’s have a look at two of the most famous Tony controversies.
It wouldn’t be an award ceremony without some sort of controversy, and the Tony’s are no exception to that. With the 2014 awards fast approaching, let’s have a look at two of the most famous Tony controversies.
Dame Julie Andrews refuses her Tony Nomination
In 1995, Dame Julie Andrews starred in the stage version of Victor/Victoria on Broadway, her first in 35 years. When the Tony nominations came out for the season, Julie was the only one from the production who was nominated. Despite commercial success, and the entire show being highly praised, no one else, nor the show itself, was nominated. It had been completely snubbed. Fans were furious and many Broadway insiders had no idea how this could happen, leading Julie to reject her nomination during a live broadcast. To this day, the show being snubbed still causes mass confusion and upset, and many do not blame Julie for what she did.
In 1995, Dame Julie Andrews starred in the stage version of Victor/Victoria on Broadway, her first in 35 years. When the Tony nominations came out for the season, Julie was the only one from the production who was nominated. Despite commercial success, and the entire show being highly praised, no one else, nor the show itself, was nominated. It had been completely snubbed. Fans were furious and many Broadway insiders had no idea how this could happen, leading Julie to reject her nomination during a live broadcast. To this day, the show being snubbed still causes mass confusion and upset, and many do not blame Julie for what she did.
The Mis-nominations of the Matilda’s
If there were ever an upset over nominations, it would have taken place last year. It’s common knowledge that when a show involves the role of a child, such as Matilda or Billy Elliot, the role is played by several different children. When Billy Elliot hit Broadway several years ago, the Billy’s, as they were known, were all nominated for a Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The only difference here was that instead of all being nominated separately, they were all nominated for one award and won the category. Fast forward to 2013 - Matilda had hit the Great White Way and was taking it by storm. The nominations came out and the four girls were nowhere to be seen. That is until the committee announced they were receiving a “special award”. Many were confused – how come the Billy’s were permitted to be nominated, but not the Matilda’s? Petitions were set up and signed, cast and crew alike from the show protested, and even cast and crew members from other shows also voiced their upset. The Tony Committee has never explained why this has happened, and probably never will.
If there were ever an upset over nominations, it would have taken place last year. It’s common knowledge that when a show involves the role of a child, such as Matilda or Billy Elliot, the role is played by several different children. When Billy Elliot hit Broadway several years ago, the Billy’s, as they were known, were all nominated for a Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The only difference here was that instead of all being nominated separately, they were all nominated for one award and won the category. Fast forward to 2013 - Matilda had hit the Great White Way and was taking it by storm. The nominations came out and the four girls were nowhere to be seen. That is until the committee announced they were receiving a “special award”. Many were confused – how come the Billy’s were permitted to be nominated, but not the Matilda’s? Petitions were set up and signed, cast and crew alike from the show protested, and even cast and crew members from other shows also voiced their upset. The Tony Committee has never explained why this has happened, and probably never will.
Neil’s supposed N-word bomb
During the opening number of last year’s ceremony, Mike Tyson made a cameo and had an interaction with Neil Patrick Harris, who was hosting the ceremony. Apparently, during the 10 second bit, Neil sang, “We’re going bigger, and is I his n****?”. Neil denied it, and still denies it, left, right, and center. To this day, we still don’t know what he said. Many have speculated what Neil actually said was “We’re going bigger, and the night is getting bigger,” and just happened to flub the line badly, making ‘night’ and ‘bigger’ one word. Who knows?
Bertie Carvel being put into the wrong category
Bertie Carvel originated the role of Miss Trunchbull in London, where Matilda the musical started. He proved to be so popular, and suited the role so perfectly, he was nominated for, and won, numerous awards. He was also brought over to originate the role for the original Broadway cast of Matilda. That seems fair, right? However, let’s consider this: the character of Miss Trunchbull is only in the show for approximately 15 minutes, if that. Yet somehow, Bertie was nominated for a Best Leading Actor in a Musical Tony. He did not stand a chance against Billy Porter, who won for his role in Kinky Boots. So where does the controversy come in? Many of us, including those in the Tony Committee, wanted to know why Bertie wasn’t nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category, which he’d have faced a far higher chance of winning. The committee, again, never explained their choices and the category remains answered.
There have been numerous other controversies, including the scandal of Bernadette Peters and not being nominated for her role as the Witch from Into the Woods, yet ending up having to present the award to Johanna Gleeson, her replacement...
Stay tuned for more Tony themed articles as the big day approaches.
During the opening number of last year’s ceremony, Mike Tyson made a cameo and had an interaction with Neil Patrick Harris, who was hosting the ceremony. Apparently, during the 10 second bit, Neil sang, “We’re going bigger, and is I his n****?”. Neil denied it, and still denies it, left, right, and center. To this day, we still don’t know what he said. Many have speculated what Neil actually said was “We’re going bigger, and the night is getting bigger,” and just happened to flub the line badly, making ‘night’ and ‘bigger’ one word. Who knows?
Bertie Carvel being put into the wrong category
Bertie Carvel originated the role of Miss Trunchbull in London, where Matilda the musical started. He proved to be so popular, and suited the role so perfectly, he was nominated for, and won, numerous awards. He was also brought over to originate the role for the original Broadway cast of Matilda. That seems fair, right? However, let’s consider this: the character of Miss Trunchbull is only in the show for approximately 15 minutes, if that. Yet somehow, Bertie was nominated for a Best Leading Actor in a Musical Tony. He did not stand a chance against Billy Porter, who won for his role in Kinky Boots. So where does the controversy come in? Many of us, including those in the Tony Committee, wanted to know why Bertie wasn’t nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category, which he’d have faced a far higher chance of winning. The committee, again, never explained their choices and the category remains answered.
There have been numerous other controversies, including the scandal of Bernadette Peters and not being nominated for her role as the Witch from Into the Woods, yet ending up having to present the award to Johanna Gleeson, her replacement...
Stay tuned for more Tony themed articles as the big day approaches.
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