Daniel Radcliffe received’t be competing in opposition to his Merrily We Roll Alongside Broadway co-star Jonathan Groff for a Tony Award subsequent June, and the explanation has nothing to do with efficiency high quality: The awards administration committee dominated immediately that Radcliffe might be eligible within the featured performer class, apparently leaving the lead class to Groff.
Lindsay Mendez, who performs Mary Flynn, the musical’s most distinguished feminine character, will, like Radcliffe, who performs Charley Kringas, be eligible within the featured slot (the Tony’s equal to Oscar’s “supporting” classes).
Whereas Groff’s character of Franklin Shepard has historically been thought of the principle character of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical, this yr’s hit Maria Friedman-directed revival included the three stars’ names above the title, leaving some wiggle room with regard to the class selections.
Certainly, viewers members could be hard-pressed to determine which actor goes the place: Whereas Merrily‘s plot kind of revolves across the trajectory of Groff’s Franklin, the trio of characters/performers far most of the time share the stage, and, on this revival anyway, Radcliffe, because the idealistic Charley, delivers one of many evening’s largest showstoppers: The rapid-fire, comically bitter “Franklin Shepard, Inc.”
And priority received’t assist: The unique 1981 manufacturing of Merrily We Roll Alongside acquired just one Tony nomination, for Sondheim’s rating (he misplaced to 9 composer Maury Yeston). Merrily, a flop amongst critics and audiences on the time, has grown in stature significantly within the ensuing a long time, with the revival now one of many largest hits and money-makers on Broadway.
The Radcliffe-Mendez eligibility questions have been settled immediately with the primary spherical of determinations made by the administration committee. Such determinations sometimes tackle class points relating to performers, whether or not a present falls into an unique or revival class, and, more and more in recent times, the place to put projection designers.
Whereas producers and performers can provide enter and opinions, the final word resolution on eligibility is made by the Tony’s administration committee. Right now’s announcement didn’t reveal whether or not Merrily producers or solid made particular requests. Deadline has reached out to a present spokesperson for remark.
The Tony Awards eligibility deadline for the 2023-2024 season is Thursday, April 25, 2024. Nominations might be introduced on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, with the 77th Annual Tony Awards, introduced by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, set for broadcast stay from The David H. Koch Theatre at Lincoln Middle for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Different eligibility determinations introduced immediately embody:
- Briga Heelan and Justin Guarini might be thought of eligible within the Finest Efficiency by an Actress/Actor in a Main Position in a Musical classes for his or her respective performances in As soon as Upon a One Extra Time;
- Anna Fleischle and Sven Ortel might be thought of collectively eligible within the Finest Scenic Design of a Musical class for his or her work on As soon as Upon a One Extra Time;
- Arielle Jacobs might be thought of eligible within the Finest Efficiency by an Actress in a Main Position in a Musical class for her efficiency in Right here Lies Love;
- Eric McCormack and Laura Bell Bundy might be thought of eligible within the Finest Efficiency by an Actor/Actress in a Main Position in a Play classes for his or her respective performances in The Cottage;
- Casey Likes might be thought of eligible within the Finest Efficiency by an Actor in a Main Position in a Musical class for his efficiency in Again to the Future: The Musical;
- Tim Hatley and Finn Ross might be thought of collectively eligible within the Finest Scenic Design of a Musical class for his or her work on Again to the Future: The Musical;
- Duncan Henderson and Nina Dunn for PixelLux might be thought of collectively eligible within the Finest Scenic Design of a Play class for his or her work on The Shark is Damaged
- Justin Ellington and Stefania Bulbarella might be thought of collectively eligible within the Finest Sound Design of a Play class for his or her work on Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
All different eligibility might be per opening evening credit.