How can a show that played off-Broadway be considered a revial on Broadway?

[Joviedamian]

I was curious how the decision is made to consider a show that only play off-Broadway, be considered a Broadway Revival when it makes it Broadway debut? Example: Assassins.

[CATSNYrevival]

I think they call it the "classics" rule. If a show, like Assasins for example, already had it's New York premiere years prior and is deemed a "classic" of the theatre cannon by the Tony committee then the show is made eligible for revival even though it technically hasn't played on Broadway before.

[Kad]

A revival simply means a new mounting; Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors, etc. are too well-established to be considered a "new" (recently debuted) musical or play, which is what Best Musical and Best Play award.

[Joviedamian]

Thank You, CATS! and Kad

[Jordan Catalano]

From this day forth, you shall be known as Karl.

[My Oh My]

HAHAHAHA.

[bobs3]

I think the "classics rule" started after HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and BURIED CHILD were nominated for Best Play Tony many years after their off-broadway premieres. Neither play won.

[Jon]

There was also a Russian play (by Turgenev, if I recall correctly) that was over 100 years old, but was considered a "new play" because it had never been on Broadway.

[dramamama611]

From what I understand, a lot has to do with how well a show is known: everyone KNOWS Cinderella, many (particularly the theater crowd) KNEW of Little Shop, Rocky Horror was bigger than life.

I do think its a bit odd that given that idea that the petition to have One Man, Two Guvs be considered a revival was turned down. While the GENERAL public may not be up on their classic theater, those "in the know" should be.

[TalkinLoud]

I don't think it's that odd. It's based on an old play, but it's really a completely new work.

[AC126748]

Jon, the play you are referring to is FORTUNE'S FOOL by Turgenev. It had hardly received any major productions in the US before its Broadway premiere in 2002. Thus, it was deemed a new play despite the fact that such a categorization defies logic. There are always anomalies like this. If I recall correctly, Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN was deemed a "new" play when it had its Broadway premiere in 2009, despite having been staged Off Broadway twice twenty years prior and receiving several major regional productions.

[Wynbish]

What Karl said

[Kad]

In the case of One Man, Two Guvnors- it wasn't really a revival of Servant of Two Masters. It was an adaptation.

[Roomba]

So what will MISS FIRECRACKER be considered?

[AC126748]

A revival, almost certainly.

[AC126748]

Here's the rule's actual language if anyone is interested:

Classics. A play or musical that is determined by the Tony Awards
Administration Committee (in its sole discretion) to be a “classic” or in the historical or popular
repertoire shall not be eligible for an Award in the Best Play or Best Musical category but may
be eligible in the appropriate Best Revival category, if any, provided it meets all other eligibility
requirements set forth in these Rules.
(h) Revivals. Each year the Tony Awards Administration Committee shall determine
whether there shall exist in quality and quantity a sufficient number of Revivals to merit the
granting of an Award for Best Revival of a Play or Musical and, if so, the Tony Awards
Administration Committee shall also determine whether there shall be a separate Play and
Musical Revival category; provided, however, that if there are at least three such plays and
three such musicals, there shall automatically be separate Play and Musical Revival categories.
A “Revival” shall be any production in an eligible Broadway theatre of a play or musical that: (A)
is deemed a “classic” or in the historical or popular repertoire in accordance with paragraph 2(g)
above; (B) was previously presented professionally at any time prior to the 1946-47 Broadway
season in substantially the same form in the Borough of Manhattan (other than as a showcase,
workshop or so-called “letter of agreement” production) and that has not had a professional
performance in the Borough of Manhattan at any time during the three years immediately
preceding the Eligibility Date; or (C) was previously presented professionally at any time during
or after the 1946-47 Broadway season in substantially the same form in an eligible Broadway
theatre and that has not had a professional performance in the Borough of Manhattan at any
time during the three years immediately preceding the Eligibility Date. The determination that a
play or musical is ineligible in the category of Best Play or Best Musical shall not, in and of itself,
make the play or musical eligible in a Best Revival category unless the play or musical also
meets the requirements of this paragraph. Regardless of whether a production of a play or
musical is eligible for a Best Revival category, the elements of the production shall be eligible in
those categories in which said elements do not, in the judgment of the Tony Awards
Administration Committee, substantially duplicate any prior presentation of the play or musical,
The Tony Awards® • Rules and Regulations 2012–2013
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except as prohibited by paragraph 2(l) of these Rules; provided, that the play or musical
otherwise meets all the requirements set forth herein for Revivals.