The Tony Awards announced today that it will "retire" the Special Theatrical Event category, effective with the upcoming 2009-2010 season. Any show that would typically compete in that category — ranging from one-man shows to non-narrative performance pieces — will become eligible to compete in the Best Play or Best Musical categories. Liza Minnelli took home the Special Theatrical Event trophy for Liza's at the Palace at the 63rd annual ceremony on June 7.
This is a stupid decision. The Special Theatrical Event awards, while perhaps a bit underused, was created in response to the show “Contact” winning Best Musical, despite the fact that there was no singing or orchestra, but a lot of dancing to prerecorded songs. I liked it because it encouraged different types of shows that broke the mold to get out there, and didn’t take away slots in the other competitions from more deserving, traditional fare. If Liza had been considered a musical this year, she would have likely bumped one of the best musical nominees (although I wouldn’t have been too concerned if it had been Rock of Ages) and possibly one of the best actress slots, leaving less honor to go around.
I don’t get this decision, unless they plan on being generous with non-competitive awards honoring special events from now on. Maybe they will fashion a new/different trophy for it…
Please let this nice family work out their problems in peace. They are going though what alot of familys come to reach where they are now. Whatever they deciede I will support their decisionThe kids will always come first with them and they have to do this in quiet and peace. So reporters please back off and give this good family some alone time.
@PeggyKaufmann
I think you posted a comment for the wrong news item.
Anyway, this seems like a ill-conceived decision to retire this category. Special Events like Liza Minelli’s show, or Will Farrell’s comedy special do not fit in either category of Play or Musical, therefore it is a “Special Theatrical Event.”
I wonder what category they will have to make up next time Liza does an award worthy Broadway show (which she will)