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Moulin Rouge The Musical Tom Hiddleston Lead Tony Awards 2020 Nominees

Broadway’s Resilience: Unveiling the 74th Annual Tony Award Nominees for the 2019-2020 Season

The highly anticipated 74th Annual Tony Awards are finally upon us, celebrating a Broadway season unlike any other. After an unprecedented period of uncertainty and a prolonged pause caused by the global Coronavirus pandemic, the Broadway community is at last receiving the well-deserved recognition for its incredible talent and dedication. On October 15, live at noon ET, Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart (renowned for his role as Genie in Aladdin) hosted the official announcement of the nominees, bringing a wave of excitement and anticipation to theatre enthusiasts worldwide. While the specific date and platform for the virtual ceremony remain under wraps, the revelation of the nominees marks a crucial step in honoring the outstanding achievements of the 2019-2020 Broadway season.

The Unprecedented 2019-2020 Broadway Season: A Story of Resilience

The 2019-2020 Broadway season was dramatically cut short when all shows went dark on March 12, 2020, in response to the burgeoning pandemic. What was initially hoped to be a temporary closure extended indefinitely, with theatres remaining shuttered until at least June 2021, and in many cases, even longer. This abrupt halt meant that many productions, some still in previews or having just opened, did not get the full opportunity to be seen by nominators and voters.

To address this unique challenge, The Broadway League and American Theatre Wing established a specific eligibility cut-off date: February 19, 2020. This decision meant that only productions that had officially opened by this date were considered for the 74th Annual Tony Awards. In total, 18 remarkable productions met these criteria and are now in the running for this year’s accolades. Notable productions like SIX, which had begun previews but had not officially opened by the February 19 deadline, along with highly anticipated musical revivals such as West Side Story, Company, and Caroline, or Change, unfortunately fell outside the eligibility window for this season. While these shows received critical acclaim for their brief runs, they will, hopefully, be eligible for consideration in a future Tony Awards season, allowing their artistry to be recognized when Broadway fully reopens.

The exceptional circumstances of the season also led to certain categories being significantly impacted. For instance, no musical revivals officially opened within the eligibility period, meaning the “Best Revival of a Musical” category will regrettably not be presented this year. Despite these challenges, the nominated productions stand as a testament to the enduring power and creativity of the theatre community, reflecting the vibrant energy that graced Broadway stages before the shutdown.

A Closer Look at the Nominees: Key Categories

The nominations span a wide array of categories, celebrating everything from groundbreaking new plays and musicals to captivating performances and stunning technical achievements. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the contenders vying for the coveted Tony Awards.

Best Play

This category highlights exceptional original dramatic works that pushed boundaries and captivated audiences.

  • Grand Horizons
  • The Inheritance
  • Sea Wall/A Life
  • Slave Play
  • The Sound Inside

Best Revival of a Play

Honoring outstanding reinterpretations of classic or previously produced plays. Notably, A Soldier’s Play, while having an acclaimed Off-Broadway run in 1981, made its long-awaited Broadway debut in 2020, qualifying it as a revival for these awards.

  • Betrayal
  • A Soldier’s Play
  • Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Best Musical

The pinnacle award for new musical theatre, recognizing productions that masterfully combine story, song, and spectacle.

  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Book of a Musical

Acknowledging the vital storytelling and narrative structure that forms the backbone of a successful musical.

  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Celebrating Stellar Performances

The heart of Broadway lies in its performers, and the acting categories celebrate the extraordinary talent that brings stories to life on stage. This year’s nominees include a mix of established stars and rising talents, each delivering powerful and memorable performances.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

  • Joaquina Kalukango, Slave Play
  • Laura Linney, My Name Is Lucy Barton
  • Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
  • Mary-Louise Parker, The Sound Inside

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

  • Ian Barford, Linda Vista
  • Andrew Burnap, The Inheritance
  • Jake Gyllenhaal, Sea Wall/A Life
  • Tom Hiddleston, Betrayal
  • Tom Sturridge, Sea Wall/A Life
  • Blair Underwood, A Soldier’s Play

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

  • Karen Olivo, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Elizabeth Stanley,Jagged Little Pill
  • Adrienne Warren, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

In a rare occurrence, only one actor was nominated in this category. According to Tony Awards rules, if the Nominating Committee determines there is only one nominee, the category is submitted to the Tony Voters. An award can still be granted if it receives the affirmative vote of sixty percent (60%) of the total ballots cast.

  • Aaron Tveit, Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

  • Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play
  • James Cusati-Moyer, Slave Play
  • David Alan Grier, A Soldier’s Play
  • John Benjamin Hickey, The Inheritance
  • Paul Hilton, The Inheritance

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

  • Jane Alexander, Grand Horizons
  • Chalia La Tour, Slave Play
  • Annie McNamara, Slave Play
  • Lois Smith, The Inheritance
  • Cora Vander Broek, Linda Vista

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

  • Danny Burstein, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Derek Klena, Jagged Little Pill
  • Sean Allan Krill, Jagged Little Pill
  • Sahr Ngaujah, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Daniel J. Watts, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

  • Kathryn Gallagher, Jagged Little Pill
  • Celia Rose Gooding, Jagged Little Pill
  • Robyn Hurder, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Lauren Patten, Jagged Little Pill
  • Myra Lucretia Taylor, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Recognizing Creative and Technical Excellence

Beyond the scripts and performances, the magic of Broadway is built on the intricate work of designers, choreographers, and musicians. These categories celebrate the artists who craft the visual, auditory, and kinetic elements that make each production unique and immersive.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

This category honors original music and lyrics composed specifically for the nominated plays and musicals.

  • A Christmas Carol
  • The Inheritance
  • The Rose Tattoo
  • Slave Play
  • The Sound Inside

Best Direction of a Play

  • The Sound Inside
  • The Inheritance
  • A Soldier’s Play
  • Betrayal
  • Slave Play

Best Direction of a Musical

  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Best Choreography

  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Orchestrations

  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play

  • The Inheritance
  • Betrayal
  • A Christmas Carol
  • A Soldier’s Play
  • Slave Play

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Costume Design of a Play

  • Slave Play
  • A Soldier’s Play
  • The Inheritance
  • A Christmas Carol
  • The Rose Tattoo

Best Costume Design of a Musical

  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Lighting Design of a Play

  • A Christmas Carol
  • Slave Play
  • The Sound Inside

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play

  • A Christmas Carol
  • The Inheritance
  • Sea Wall/A Life
  • Slave Play
  • The Sound Inside

Best Sound Design of a Musical

  • Jagged Little Pill
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical
  • Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

The Road Ahead for Broadway

These nominations serve as a powerful reminder of the artistic brilliance that illuminated Broadway stages during the 2019-2020 season, even if it was prematurely interrupted. The Tony Awards, often considered the Oscars of theatre, play a crucial role in celebrating excellence and keeping the spirit of live performance alive during these challenging times. As the Broadway community eagerly awaits the virtual ceremony and looks forward to a triumphant return to live performances, these nominees represent the resilience, creativity, and unwavering passion that defines the theatrical world. The 74th Annual Tony Awards will not just honor individual achievements but will also stand as a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring magic of Broadway.