Broadway Robbery: Ten Shows That Should Have Won the Tony But Didn't- from CHICAGO to MATILDA!
By: Nicole Rosky Oct. 31, 2016
They say that hindsight is 20/20, and in the case of Broadway, time has certainly illuminated some of the injustices of Tonys past. True, sometimes it takes years for art to truly be understood and appreciated, but theatre fans are well aware that it doesn't necessarily take that long to recognize some of the Tony Voters' biggest mistakes. Next week marks six months 'til the 2017 Tony Awards, and to celebrate the half-way point, we're taking a closer look at some of those outright "Huh?" winners of the past.
Before we dive in, let's first consider some honorable mention musicals. Did the better show win in these years? Probably. But in the case of these six shows, surely they would have taken home Tonys if they had opened in less competitive seasons (we're looking at you, 1989!)
Chicago (lost to A Chorus Line in 1976); Dreamgirls (lost to Nine in 1982); Sunday in the Park with George (lost to La Cage Aux Folles in 1984); Into the Woods (lost to The Phantom of the Opera in 1988); Grand Hotel (lost to City of Angels in 1990); Ragtime (lost to The Lion King in 1998).
And now let's start investigating some genuine Broadway robberies...
West Side Story (1958)
What It Lost to: The Music Man
Need we even explain? West Side Story is undoubtedly one of the greatest musicals of all time, but in 1958 it lost to the charms of a traveling salesman and plain, old, Iowa stubbornness.
Gypsy (1960)
What It Lost to: The Sound of Music and Fiorello!It's impossible to deny the impact that Rodgers and Hammerstein had on musical theatre, even with their final collaboration, but in a year of a tie (and this is the only Best Musical tie in Tonys history), shouldn't Rose have gotten her turn too?!
Funny Girl (1964)
What It Lost to: Hello, Dolly!
Both shows center around brassy ladies. Both shows have famous songs about parades. Both shows have become linked with Barbra Streisand. But are both shows equally breathtaking? We think not. Sure, Hello, Dolly! is a perfectly lovely musical, with singable tunes and memorable characters, but Funny Girl is in a league of its own.
Hair (1969)
What It Lost to: 1776
Fact: 1776 is an undeniably great musical about an important time in American history. But while 1776 was telling a story about a conflict that happened some 200 years before, Hair was changing the way that people looked at the Vietnam War (and the culture surrounding it) as it was was happening. It defined a generation.
Follies (1972)
What It Lost to: Two Gentlemen of Verona
"Hey, what's your all-time favorite musical?"
"Hmmm... probably Two Gentleman of Verona"
-Said no one, EVER.
Miss Saigon (1991)
What It Lost to: The Will Rogers Follies
When Miss Saigon literally landed on Broadway, it left us with some of the most beautiful songs written for the musical theatre, introduced us to one of our now most-beloved stars, and stayed with us for a decade. When was the last time you even thought about The Will Rogers Follies?
Parade (1999)
What It Lost to: Fosse
Was there a choreographer who was more important to Broadway than Bob Fosse? Certainly not. But the show, which showcased some of the greatest work of his career, was little more than a plotless revue. Parade might be one of the lesser-known musicals on this list, but what it lacked in commercial appeal, it made up for with its heartbreaking story and stupendous score.
Wicked (2004)
What It Lost to: Avenue QSay what you will about Wicked, but until Hamilton, perhaps no other show penetrated modern pop culture like the misunderstood green girl and her popular pal. Twelve years later, fans still flock to the Gershwin Theatre in droves, and that will unlikely cease anytime soon.
Next to Normal (2009)
What It Lost to: Billy Elliot
No one will argue the merits of Billy Elliot, but did it really break boundaries in the same way that Next to Normal did? Kitt & Yorkey's first collaboration earned a Pulitzer Prize the following year for its brave depiction of how loss and mental illness can effect a family. It was the one that deserved the Tony. (See what we did there?)
Matilda (2013)
What It Lost to: Kinky Boots
Just three years ago, drag queens on a mission reigned supreme to four naughty maggots with imagination. So how did 2013's critical darling, Matilda, end up falling short to the spunky but formulaic Kinky Boots? That's a mystery we still haven't quite wrapped our heads around...
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