If you hadn’t heard – the Tony Awards Management Committee met and decided to cut a 100 voters from the small elite group that decides on “theatre’s biggest awards.” I don’t know how anyone can think it is a good thing to shrink the voter list to a point where a huge majority have a vested financial interest in their show winning. There isn’t enough diversity in the voter pool.
If there were or are some upcoming changes about including more artists in the voting pool, I am all for mixing it up (after all the critics don’t vote in the Oscars or Emmys, of course they “sort of” have their own awards with the Golden Globes). But what I would really love to see is – keep the critics in and add even more artists.
I realize it is difficult on the shows to support the free tickets, but perhaps some of the producers and road show presenters are who needs to go. I know there was a purging a few years back, but maybe it wasn’t enough. Or maybe there needs to be an “Academy” equivalent in Theatre, let’s just make sure there are term limits – learn from the mistake of others after all.
For just the facts, check out the New York Times Arts Blog. For some excellent commentary – check out the below posts and articles:
Chris Caggiano: Critics No Longer Tony Voters
Adam Feldman: This Just In: Tony Awards Nix Crix
Patrick Healy: Journalists Will No Longer Be Voting for Tony Awards
Matthew Murray: Reviewing the Tony Situation
Tom O’Neil: Tonys to Press: Drop Dead
Matt Windman: Destroying the Credibility of the Tony Awards: Banning Journalists as Voters
Also check out How Voting Works on the Tony Awards website.
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I always like awards voted for by audiences. Or completely decided by experienced critics, i.e. the press. A mix of the two would be great!