\u201cSchmigadoon!\u201d and \u201cThe Lost Boys,\u201d two Broadway musicals that opened just a few weeks ago, picked up more nods than any other shows as this year\u2019s Tony nominations were announced on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
The shows \u2014 \u201cSchmigadoon!,\u201d adapted from a comedic Apple TV series that began in 2021, and \u201cThe Lost Boys,\u201d adapted from the 1987 vampire film \u2014 will face \u201cTitan\u00edque,\u201d a loving, Celine Dion-inflected spoof of the \u201cTitanic\u201d movie, and \u201cTwo Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),\u201d an original romantic comedy, in the financially important race for best new musical. At a time when the economics of new musicals have become increasingly challenging, all four shows could use the boost that nominations, and particularly a win, could bring.<\/p>\n
As musicals on Broadway struggle, starry plays are faring better, and the list of nominations reflects a rush of celebrities to the stage: Among the nominees are the film stars John Lithgow, Daniel Radcliffe, Lesley Manville and Rose Byrne.<\/p>\n
The nominations suggest a notable comeback for the producer Scott Rudin, who returned to Broadway<\/a> this season after a four-year hiatus prompted by news reports about his propensity for bullying behavior. He produced two shows this season, a revival of \u201cDeath of a Salesman\u201d and a new play called \u201cLittle Bear Ridge Road,\u201d and both were nominated as the best in their categories.<\/p>\n A few records were set during the nominations.<\/p>\n Danny Burstein, a beloved Broadway actor, was nominated in the featured actor category for his performance in the play \u201cMarjorie Prime.\u201d This is his ninth Tony nomination (he won for \u201cMoulin Rouge!\u201d), and he is now the most-nominated male performer in history, breaking a tie with Jason Robards Jr. Burstein\u2019s \u201cMarjorie Prime\u201d co-star June Squibb was also nominated for a Tony Award; at 96 years old, she is the oldest nominee ever in her category, featured actress in a play.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Lost Boys\u201d and \u201cSchmigadoon!\u201d picked up 12 nominations each. Close behind, with 11 nominations, is an acclaimed revival of the musical \u201cRagtime,\u201d which is a production of the nonprofit Lincoln Center Theater.<\/p>\n A half-dozen shows got zero nominations, including the new musicals \u201cThe Queen of Versailles,\u201d which closed after a brief run<\/a> last fall, and \u201cBeaches,\u201d<\/a> which is struggling at the box office after opening to poor reviews last month. A starry revival of \u201cProof\u201d<\/a> also went home empty-handed.<\/p>\n Among the other nominees for performances in leading roles are two longtime Broadway favorites: Nathan Lane and Kelli O\u2019Hara. This is O\u2019Hara\u2019s ninth Tony nomination (she has won once).<\/p>\n For best new play, the nominees include Bess Wohl\u2019s \u201cLiberation,\u201d which on Monday won the Pulitzer Prize for drama,<\/a> as well as \u201cThe Balusters,\u201d by David Lindsay-Abaire; \u201cGiant,\u201d by Mark Rosenblatt; and \u201cLittle Bear Ridge Road,\u201d by Samuel D. Hunter.<\/p>\n Lane (\u201cDeath of a Salesman\u201d), Lithgow (\u201cGiant\u201d) and Radcliffe (\u201cEvery Brilliant Thing\u201d) were all nominated as best actor in a play, alongside Will Harrison (\u201cPunch\u201d) and Mark Strong (\u201cOedipus\u201d). Byrne and O\u2019Hara, co-starring in a revival of \u201cFallen Angels,\u201d will face Carrie Coon (\u201cBug\u201d), Susannah Flood (\u201cLiberation\u201d) and Manville (\u201cOedipus\u201d) in the race for best leading actress in a play.<\/p>\n The nominees for best leading actress in a musical are all first-time nominees: Sara Chase (\u201cSchmigadoon!\u201d), Stephanie Hsu (\u201cThe Rocky Horror Show\u201d), Caissie Levy (\u201cRagtime\u201d), Marla Mindelle (\u201cTitan\u00edque\u201d) and Christiani Pitts (\u201cTwo Strangers\u201d). The race for best leading actor in a musical, dominated throughout the season by Joshua Henry of \u201cRagtime,\u201d also features Nicholas Christopher (\u201cChess\u201d), Luke Evans (\u201cThe Rocky Horror Show\u201d), Sam Tutty (\u201cTwo Strangers\u201d) and Brandon Uranowitz (\u201cRagtime\u201d).<\/p>\n The nominations were announced in New York by the actors Uzo Aduba and Darren Criss, beginning a monthlong award period. The 857 Tony voters \u2014 mostly people who work in theater or who help finance Broadway shows \u2014 must finish seeing the latest productions, while the productions, constrained by newly restrictive rules limiting campaigning and promotion, look for ways to remind voters about the strengths of their nominees.<\/p>\n The awards ceremony will take place on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by the musician Pink<\/a> and broadcast on CBS.<\/p>\n The season has been a mixed bag for Broadway. Overall attendance and grosses are up over last season, but profitability rates are low because of skyrocketing production costs, and there is rising consumer concern about ticket prices. Only six new musicals opened this season, down from 14 last season.<\/p>\n