This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Eila Mell: Hey, I'm Christiani Pitts and you're listening to Behind the Awards.

[0:13] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila. I'm here with Bruce and our special guest awards expert, Matt Stashin. Hello. Good morning, afternoon, whatever it is now.

[0:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Whatever people are listening, it doesn't matter. So this is our Tony Special number two. Very exciting season already.

[0:34] Eila Mell: It is. And I will say, before we dive into any of the things we're going to chat about, we have had a fever pitch of support on Instagram for Leighton Williams. I mean, all the followers are all about him. So I think it's 100% Leighton Williams that people are pulling for.

[1:02] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. In our DMs and our comments, they're just if our listeners were Tony voters, he's got the Tony. You know, I think he's got a really strong chance. I really think he could just become the favorite very quickly.

[1:15] Eila Mell: He could. Especially, you know, if our listeners have anything to say about it.

[1:22] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. That's right. So I pulled up some interesting, fun, little numbers for this year's nominations. So one thing I thought was interesting was since the Tonys were established in 1947, there have been five Broadway revivals of Oedipus that were eligible for nominations, and none of them have received a nomination until this year.

[1:54] Matt Stashin: Well, this is a very different Oedipus, and it works so well, don't you think, Matt?

[1:59] Matt Stashin: I do. Very much so. I think it's a complete reimagining of the show, and it is so effective.

[2:05] Eila Mell: I know. Much like Cats is a total reimagining of the show. So, Matt, do you think that's just a sign of the times that, you know, they're reimagining shows so differently?

[2:16] Matt Stashin: They do seem to be doing that more often, just thinking back to that production of Oklahoma a couple of years ago. There is this wave of, let's take things that have moved people or been really effective in the past and kind of update them and make them new for modern audiences.

[2:32] Eila Mell: Yeah, I think that's fun. But then also this season we have Ragtime, which is, you know, very true to the way it's been done. I don't know how you change Ragtime, but I'm sure somebody can think of a way that would be interesting. But, you know, I still think the real race this season is Cats versus Ragtime. We'll see where that goes.

[2:52] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, it'll be very interesting to see, for sure.

[2:54] Bruce Gotlieb: All right, Eila, another fun fact.

[2:56] Eila Mell: Yes. In our Best Actress of a Musical this year, we have all first-time nominees.

[3:05] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, that's exciting.

[3:06] Eila Mell: The last time that happened was in 2002.

[3:11] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, really?

[3:12] Eila Mell: So we're 24 years later.

[3:15] Bruce Gotlieb: Wow.

[3:16] Eila Mell: Excellent. So that's fun because, you know, part of the race, you know, part of the contention when you're discussing people who are nominated is, you know, do we reward two years in a row? Do we reward consistency? Do they want to reward somebody brand new? So it takes that part of the equation out. And it's also fun to anoint somebody the next, you know, the reigning queen of musicales.

[3:40] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, no, it feels like it makes it sort of a very even playing field.

[3:45] Eila Mell: Yeah, absolutely. Another thing that I found very interesting is Rose Byrne, who we know is nominated for an Oscar this past year. She is now the 17th actress in history to have a Tony nomination and an Oscar nomination in the same calendar year.

[4:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, good for her.

[4:06] Eila Mell: So that's interesting. And, you know, what a class to be in.

[4:10] Matt Stashin: I know, really. What a great year. Well, she's great. You know, I saw Fallen Angels and she's so great at it. They both are, though. Kelly O'Hara is equally good.

[4:20] Eila Mell: Okay. And speaking of her, this is her ninth career nomination.

[4:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Wow.

[4:26] Eila Mell: Her last eight nominations, however, were for musicals. This is her first for a play.

[4:31] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, good for her. And of course, she has a Tony.

[4:34] Matt Stashin: Of course, she does.

[4:35] Eila Mell: Yeah. For King and I, Matt?

[4:37] Matt Stashin: Yes.

[4:38] Eila Mell: Yes. And in my head, I thought it was for South Pacific. She did lose for South Pacific.

[4:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay.

[4:44] Eila Mell: And speaking of consecutive nominations, of course, we have Danny Burstein with his ninth, which makes him the most nominated male in Tony history.

[4:54] Matt Stashin: He is so deserving.

[4:56] Bruce Gotlieb: They were not consecutive, however.

[4:57] Matt Stashin: Correct.

[4:58] Eila Mell: His nominations?

[4:59] Matt Stashin: They were not consecutive. I know for at least he was not nominated for Pictures from Home.

[5:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. I mean, that would be a really hard thing to pull off.

[5:08] Eila Mell: That's what Kelly O'Hara has done.

[5:10] Matt Stashin: Wow.

[5:11] Bruce Gotlieb: Nine straight shows.

[5:12] Eila Mell: Really? She's been in a show every year for nine years.

[5:15] Matt Stashin: No, just not every year, but nine consecutive shows she's done.

[5:19] Eila Mell: Oh, I see.

[5:20] Matt Stashin: She's done. She's been nominated every time.

[5:22] Eila Mell: Oh, I see. Okay. Well, we'll forgive Danny for that. It's still a big achievement. And he's so deserving. He's just, every time he's in something, he's incredible.

[5:31] Eila Mell: One thing that June Squibb gets to say is that she is toppling the milestone that was set by Lois Smith at 89 in 2020 for The Inheritance. She is at 96. She's becoming the oldest Tony nominated performer in history.

[5:47] Bruce Gotlieb: That's amazing. And it's so interesting because Lois Smith played the role of Marjorie in the movie version of Marjorie.

[5:54] Matt Stashin: Yes, she did.

[5:54] Eila Mell: And I think in the early, like the early versions of the stage show, too, I think.

[5:59] Matt Stashin: I think she did. Yeah. I was about to say that, Eila. You got in there just before me.

[6:03] Eila Mell: Sorry, Matt.

[6:06] Matt Stashin: But I mean, and what's even more incredible is that she's playing a character 10 years younger than she is.

[6:12] Eila Mell: That's right.

[6:13] Matt Stashin: Good for her. And she's fantastic. And it's not like she has a small little featured part. She's got a big, solid part with a ton of lines.

[6:21] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And up and down from that chair.

[6:23] Eila Mell: I know. I've seen people younger than her use a teleprompter on stage, which doesn't work all that well, but she's not doing that.

[6:29] Matt Stashin: No.

[6:30] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, thank goodness, right?

[6:31] Eila Mell: Yes. I don't think she'd get the nomination if she were doing that.

[6:35] Eila Mell: We also have eight double nominees, people that are nominated in two different categories, and then five people that are competing against themselves in the same category.

[6:47] Bruce Gotlieb: So Linda Cho is best costume for Ragtime and Schmigadoon.

[6:52] Eila Mell: Heather Gilbert lighting design for Bug and Fear of 13.

[6:56] Matt Stashin: Kai Harada for sound design for Cats and Ragtime.

[7:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Donald Holder for lighting for Ragtime and Schmigadoon.

[7:03] Eila Mell: Adam Honoré for lighting for Cats and Ragtime.

[7:08] Bruce Gotlieb: And of course, Schmigadoon director and choreographer Christopher Cattelli.

[7:12] Eila Mell: Right. Wow.

[7:13] Matt Stashin: Queen Jean is in the mix with Liberation and Cats.

[7:16] Bruce Gotlieb: And Robert Icke is nominated for both revival of the play and as author.

[7:23] Eila Mell: So these people are-

[7:24] Matt Stashin: Wow. That's a lot of double nominations.

[7:26] Eila Mell: They're really working this season.

[7:28] Matt Stashin: We've also got Konstantin Rassouli for the book and producing Titanic. Marla Mindel's actually nominated three times this year because she's the book as a producer and an actress.

[7:39] Bruce Gotlieb: The other thing also, speaking of Christopher Cattelli from before, he's up for director and choreographer for Schmigadoon, which he was nominated in those exact same categories last year for Death Becomes Her.

[7:53] Eila Mell: Two incredible shows.

[7:54] Bruce Gotlieb: He loves the Splashy musical and we love him for it.

[7:57] Eila Mell: I know. What's he doing next year? I can't wait.

[8:00] Bruce Gotlieb: If it's not big and splashy, he should stay home.

[8:03] Eila Mell: And he's super nice too. So you just want to cheer for him.

[8:06] Matt Stashin: Absolutely. So this is fun little Elphaba trivia for you.

[8:11] Eila Mell: What's that?

[8:12] Matt Stashin: We have three former Elphabas all on Broadway getting nominations.

[8:18] Eila Mell: Really? Who is it?

[8:19] Matt Stashin: Two of them are competing against each other.

[8:21] Eila Mell: Yes. We have Shoshana Bean for The Lost Boys, Anna Gasteyer in Schmigadoon, and Cassie Levy in Ragtime.

[8:28] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, wow. I didn't know she was an Elphaba. I knew the other two.

[8:33] Matt Stashin: I didn't know that either.

[8:34] Matt Stashin: She was Elphaba on the tour in 2008 and The Understudy on Broadway.

[8:41] Eila Mell: Oh, OK. So she's not, you know, she could have done either role, I feel like.

[8:45] Matt Stashin: She could do Glinda or Elphaba.

[8:46] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah. But she, I guess, loves a belting moment.

[8:50] Matt Stashin: Yeah, well, we love her for that.

[8:53] Matt Stashin: We have three Olivier winners who are up for their Tony-nominated roles. We have John Lithgow in Giant, Leighton Williams, who we were speaking about at the top of this, in Titanic, and Leslie Manville for Oedipus.

[9:06] Eila Mell: And, you know, the question is whether or not, you know, one could be a precursor or help them find out if they're going to, you know, win both.

[9:15] Matt Stashin: I know. I feel like that may be the only real precursor that we have, even though not everything is eligible.

[9:22] Eila Mell: So you can't really tell.

[9:23] Matt Stashin: But I think that people really respect the Oliviers.

[9:26] Eila Mell: I think they do. And it's funny, you know, when you're looking at, like, leading up to the Oscars, how all of those other award shows help tell the narrative of what's going to happen. And on Broadway, you know, when you're looking at some of these other awards that will happen before the Tonys happen, they all kind of stand individually.

[9:47] Matt Stashin: And nothing necessarily leads you to be able to rank or guess what's going to be.

[9:56] Eila Mell: Exactly. Because I think that the Tonys are the only ones that are only Broadway.

[10:01] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes.

[10:02] Eila Mell: Yes. You have factors that come into play where, could there be an off-Broadway person in the mix? Could there be non-gendered characters where you just have lead performer, you know, so you have men and women both vying for one or two awards?

[10:19] Matt Stashin: Right. Exactly. So the categories don't mirror the Tony categories. So you don't know.

[10:23] Eila Mell: Yeah. It's definitely interesting.

[10:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Very interesting.

[10:28] Eila Mell: Well, those are all my facts. I've given you all I have.

[10:32] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay. Well, before we start, I just want to tell everybody what it was like to be at Cats the night that they got nine nominations.

[10:41] Eila Mell: It was so crazy. So it was a special performance. I was lucky because my friend works for TDF and TDF bought out the theater and they did a special performance for high school seniors that are part of this program that TDF has.

[10:55] Eila Mell: And so it was, you know, a few adults and like 2000 high school seniors. And they were so excited. They, you know, I wondered, do they know what Ballroom is? Do they understand, you know, the concept of the show? They know. They love it.

[11:12] Bruce Gotlieb: So it was thrilling.

[11:13] Eila Mell: Jeremy Pope, who, as you guys know, is one of the producers of Cats, came out and made a speech before the show and said, Cats have nine lives and we have nine Tony nominations.

[11:24] Bruce Gotlieb: That's a good reference to pull out.

[11:26] Eila Mell: Yes. The whole crew is there, the directors and the designers. It was very exciting and such a thrill to be a part of. And they're so, so excited about the nominations.

[11:37] Bruce Gotlieb: That's amazing.

[11:38] Eila Mell: Cupcakes backstage that had, you know, nine nominations. And anyway, so I just wanted to share that. And it was just, you know, just like a party to be there that night, especially with all the kids who love the show so much. The screaming was insane.

[11:54] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm sure. I can only imagine.

[11:54] Eila Mell: I mean, it is one of those shows that is not your traditional audience.

[11:59] Bruce Gotlieb: Right now.

[12:00] Eila Mell: So, you know, going in, you're in for a much more boisterous experience.

[12:07] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And these kids made the show even more fun. It was just great to be in that environment.

[12:12] Eila Mell: How fun.

[12:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes.

[12:17] Montego Glover: This is Montego Glover and Behind the Awards. We'll be right back.

[12:22] Eila Mell: All right. Shall we get down to business?

[12:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, let's get down to it.

[12:27] Eila Mell: All right. So in our second episode, we are going to be covering Featured Actress in a Play, Lighting Design of a Musical, Costume Design of a Play, Best Original Score, and Director of a Play.

[12:43] Bruce Gotlieb: OK, these are good categories.

[12:45] Eila Mell: They are. So I will let you decide where we should start.

[12:50] Bruce Gotlieb: We're going to start with Costume Design of a Play.

[12:54] Eila Mell: Oh, OK. So what are our choices?

[12:57] Eila Mell: Our nominations are Brenda Abbandandolo for Dog Day Afternoon, Queen Jean for Liberation, Jeff Mahshie for Fallen Angels, Emilio Sosa for The Ballisters, and Paul Tazewell for Joe Turner's Coming Gone.

[13:15] Matt Stashin: Well, my want, I would love to see Queen Jean win this one for Liberation. I think those costumes were so well detailed and so true to the period. I thought it was phenomenal. I do think the will win. I think this one's going to go to Fallen Angels.

[14:31] Matt Stashin: So my want is for her to win. I don't think she will win in this category only because I think she's going to get it for Cats and I don't think they're going to reward her in both. So I think that you might be right. I think that Fallen Angels might get it. That's what I'm going to predict will get it. Yeah. Okay. I have also Liberation as my want. I did think that the costumes were just, you know, really, really perfect. I will also chime in and say, and I know we've discussed this before, the wigs in Liberation are just outstanding. And I know that, you know, when we had Bess on our show, she shared with us that that's where their mic packs are. And there's not only one, but there's two mic packs in each of those wigs.

You wouldn't know it. So to be able to hide mic packs in a wig that doesn't look like you're doing anything, I know that I'm getting away from costume, but it falls into that element. And I really still think that it's time to have a wig category. That and projections need its own category too.

[15:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. So with that being said, I do also agree with you guys. I think it's going to be Fallen Angels, not because of any other reason than, again, it's a little bit more showy. You know, the period costumes, there's a lot of 70s costumes on the stage this season, which are so fun. Yeah. But they're just not as showy, unfortunately.

[16:07] Matt Stashin: Yeah. Even the men's costumes in Fallen Angels are pretty fun.

[16:10] Bruce Gotlieb: That's great.

[16:12] Matt Stashin: Yeah. But I want to give honorable mention to Dog Day Afternoon. I like those costumes a lot too.

[16:17] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[16:19] Matt Stashin: I just think Liberation was better. Not better, but well, yeah, a little better. Sorry.

[16:26] Bruce Gotlieb: No need to be sorry. We have tough conversations to have here.

[16:31] Matt Stashin: Yes. But, you know, that's not to say I wouldn't be thrilled if my friend Emilio Sosa won for the Ballisters. I would love that too. But it's just harder for, you know, everyday modern clothing to be awarded for costumes.

[16:45] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. Modern costumes don't win all that often. It's happened, but it's rare.

[16:50] Matt Stashin: Yeah. All right. We are going to move forward. The nominees for Best Original Score, Music, and or Lyrics written for the theater are, and I apologize if I'm mispronouncing anybody's names, Steve Barconetti, Music for Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Jim Barn and Kit Buchan, Music and Lyrics for Two Strangers, Carry a Cake Across New York, Cinco Paul, Music and Lyrics for Schmigadoon, The Rescues, Music and Lyrics for The Lost Boys, and Caroline Shaw, Music for Death of a Salesman.

[17:24] Bruce Gotlieb: Now, before we dive into who, what, when, where, why, question.

[17:28] Matt Stashin: Yes.

[17:29] Bruce Gotlieb: Now, Schmigadoon, these pieces, at least for the most part, existed already from the TV show.

[17:36] Matt Stashin: I have done some investigation.

[17:38] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay.

[17:39] Matt Stashin: And it turns out there are actually 11 new songs for the show.

[17:43] Bruce Gotlieb: Are there 11 new songs? Or are there 11 songs where they changed the lyrics? Because that's what I thought it was.

[17:48] Matt Stashin: It could be. That could be it too. But there are 11 songs that are changed for this show, I guess we can say.

[17:54] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And then that would classify it as a new song.

[17:57] Matt Stashin: So, yeah, that's significant. Yeah.

[18:00] Bruce Gotlieb: I mean, my own personal opinion, I'm sorry, that's a little bit of a cop out. I do not think Schmigadoon should be eligible in this category.

[18:08] Matt Stashin: Okay. Fair enough. Was Smash eligible in this category?

[18:12] Bruce Gotlieb: It would not. No.

[18:13] Matt Stashin: No.

[18:13] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, perhaps they didn't change as much, but it's similar, right? It's a similar situation.

[18:19] Matt Stashin: Yeah, exactly. And if Smash wasn't eligible, Schmigadoon should not be eligible. That's my own personal opinion.

[18:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay. Well, Bruce, why don't you jump in with what you think?

[18:29] Bruce Gotlieb: With that all being said, I want Schmigadoon to win because I just love the music so much. It's so much fun.

[18:37] Matt Stashin: That's interesting. So, you know, I think that for me, the most surprising part is that they really didn't want to give Beaches or Queen of Versailles any nominations because both of them were eligible. And so it's unusual for two straight plays to get into the score category when there are musicals that are eligible. I'm not saying that's a mistake. I'm just saying that, you know, it seems like without saying it, you know, people were kind of determined not to reward those shows.

[19:14] Bruce Gotlieb: They didn't like them.

[19:15] Matt Stashin: Right. So I think my want is Lost Boys. I think that the music is interesting. I don't know. It was a hard call for me between that and Two Strangers. But I think I just feel like Two Strangers, the music in the show, it tells the story in a different way than normal. And I just feel like I kind of like the traditional way music tells the story in the show a little better than what Two Strangers is doing, as much as I like that music, if that makes sense.

[19:48] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[19:49] Matt Stashin: So, yeah. But I think that Two Strangers will win. I think they will reward originality. And I think that's not a bad thing.

[19:57] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, I agree. I mean, the music in Schmigadoon is great. I mean, I just looked it up. Corden Putten won an Emmy.

[20:04] Matt Stashin: Oh.

[20:05] Bruce Gotlieb: So I do think the music is great. Like I said, I don't think it should be here. I'm very torn for my want to win, because I think both Lost Boys and Two Strangers do a good job of telling the story through the songs, like you were saying, Isla. I'm going to lean my want and my should win are both Two Strangers.

[20:24] Matt Stashin: Yeah, I think it's a really close race.

[20:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[20:27] Matt Stashin: Bruce, do you disagree? What do you think?

[20:29] Bruce Gotlieb: I don't disagree. You know how much I love Two Strangers. The thing that led me away from it was, and spoiler alert, it's going to be my pick for book, because I think the book is so strong. And the show can exist and be successful without the music. Whereas these other shows, I felt, if they didn't have the music, wouldn't be as successful. That's why I leaned in the direction I did.

[20:55] Matt Stashin: So that's why I chose it. You said it better than I did. I think that you're right. You really don't need the music to tell the story in Two Strangers. And that's why I didn't pick it, even though I think it will win. And I wouldn't have a problem if it won't.

[21:07] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, and neither would I. I think that it's so original, and there's so much good stuff going on there. We should reward that, you know?

[21:17] Matt Stashin: Yeah. Agreed. All right, where to next?

[21:21] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, I think it's time to hop over to Lighting Design of a Musical.

[21:26] Matt Stashin: Okay.

[21:27] Bruce Gotlieb: And our nominees are Kevin Adams for Chess, Michael Arden and Jen Shriver for The Lost Boys, Jane Cox for Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, Donald Holder for Schmigadoon, Donald Holder and Adam Henri for Lighting Design, and 59 Studio for Projection Design for Ragtime, and Adam Henri for Cats the Jellicle Ball.

[21:54] Matt Stashin: Okay.

[21:55] Bruce Gotlieb: So Donald and Adam are both in like a double duty situation here.

[22:00] Matt Stashin: Yeah.

[22:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Do you think, do we think that that helps, hurts?

[22:03] Matt Stashin: I feel like this, in this case, it's not going to hurt them.

[22:07] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. Okay.

[22:09] Matt Stashin: I just feel like the shows are going to stand on their own.

[22:11] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, I think they vote for the show and not the person in these cases.

[22:16] Matt Stashin: I think that that hurts more in the acting and directing categories, maybe.

[22:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[22:20] Bruce Gotlieb: You want to start?

[22:21] Matt Stashin: Sure. What I think is that Chess will win. I want Chess to win. I think that there are certain things that the show did really dynamically, and Lighting was one of them. And I think that there's other categories where I felt like Chess could have maybe stuck in with more nominations and didn't. So I think they will figure a way to reward in some way. The show, I don't think they'll, I don't think it'll be nominated, then shut out.

[22:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[22:57] Matt Stashin: And I think they're doing some really interesting things with the lighting design.

[23:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay.

[23:02] Matt Stashin: You know, I'm going to go for the same in my want and think I will, think will win. And I'm going to go with Lost Boys, just because the tech for the show is so strong.

[23:14] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes.

[23:15] Matt Stashin: That was my, like, my.

[23:16] Bruce Gotlieb: That was your other?

[23:17] Matt Stashin: Yeah, I was kind of going back and forth, back and forth. And I eventually just flipped a coin in my head. So my thought is that if people are torn, they might just go with the tech, you know, just all the tech together might sway people. So that's why I'm going with Lost Boys.

[23:33] Bruce Gotlieb: And I think this category is really hard because, you know, first of all, there's six nominees. So there's a lot to choose from. And every show is, you know, is pretty good in this category. I thought Cats might have been a little dark in places, to be honest. It wasn't a major issue for me, but I just I don't think there's any clear winner. And so that's why I think that the overall tech of Lost Boys will take it.

[23:59] Matt Stashin: That's a fair statement. For me, the who I think will win, I think is easier. I think the Lost Boys is going to win. I'm very torn between the Lost Boys and Cats for my should win, the one I want to win. And what you were saying, Isla, about the darkness in places, I think part of me thinks that was a choice on their part to like the grunginess and the griminess in the ballroom scene, at least the way it was depicted on like Pose and Paris is Burning and things like that. Like, I think the lighting tried to evoke that. I think I'm going to give it some grace and say that's what it was going for and that it was a choice.

[24:31] Bruce Gotlieb: I don't know if that's a fact or not, but, you know, I agree with you. I think it was a choice. It just I don't want to have trouble seeing stuff. That's all.

[24:39] Matt Stashin: That's fine. That's just, you know, that's just how it affected me. Some people may have loved it for that. And, you know, clubs are dark and, you know, there are many reasons why it would be a little dark.

[24:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, I'm going to stick with Lost Boys for both. I think I want it to win. I think it was the best lighting of the year and I think it's going to win.

[24:57] Matt Stashin: OK, so Bruce, you seem to be the dissenter this year.

[25:01] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, everyone has a role to fill.

[25:05] Matt Stashin: Isla, you and I are in agreement on a lot. I'm enjoying this.

[25:08] Bruce Gotlieb: I know, and we don't normally agree so much.

[25:11] Matt Stashin: All right, Bruce. Well, let's see if we can mix it up a bit in the next category.

[25:16] Bruce Gotlieb: All right, let's fight it out.

[25:17] Matt Stashin: All right. So we are going to go with Director of a Play.

[25:22] Bruce Gotlieb: All right.

[25:23] Matt Stashin: So our nominees are Nicholas Heitner for Giant, Robert Icke for Oedipus, Kenny Leon for The Bollisters, Joe Mantello for Death of a Salesman, and Whitney White for Liberation.

[25:39] Bruce Gotlieb: This is a hard category.

[25:41] Matt Stashin: It is a hard category.

[25:44] Bruce Gotlieb: So I think that every director in this category would be a great win. But I think, I think anyway, the contest is between Joe Mantello and Whitney White.

[25:55] Matt Stashin: OK.

[25:55] Bruce Gotlieb: And I am going to go with Whitney White. I think Liberation winning the Pulitzer helps, and I think it deserved to win the Pulitzer. I felt it was going to win all along.

[26:06] Matt Stashin: I think you did too, Matt.

[26:07] Matt Stashin: I did.

[26:08] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. I also think it has a really strong chance of winning Best Play. So I think that Best Play and Best Director often go hand in hand. So I think it's going to be Whitney White.

[26:19] Matt Stashin: And for me, it was really hard to not choose Whitney White. But I'm going with Joe Mantello. I feel like every second of Death of a Salesman was so carefully directed and just so beautifully done that I have to go there.

[26:35] Bruce Gotlieb: So that's my choice.

[26:37] Matt Stashin: I'll go next. I think it's a little bit closer. I think Whitney White, Joe Mantello. I also think Robert Icke has a real shot.

[26:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[26:44] Matt Stashin: No, I. That new take on it, the fact that he also wrote this version of the show. I had heard rumors they might try to have it considered for a new play because it was so radically different. I'm kind of glad they didn't. I don't, I do think it is a revival. But I am, I'm now debating.

[27:03] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards! Today, we’re diving deeper into the 2026 Tony Awards with our expert guest, Matt Stashin.

[27:33] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, we’re excited to discuss some of the categories that are always hotly contested. Let’s start with Featured Actress in a Play. Who do you think will take home the award, Matt?

[28:03] Matt Stashin: I think it's going to be a tough competition this year. Betsy Aidem has been getting a lot of buzz for her performance, but I wouldn’t count out Laurie Metcalf. She always brings something special to the stage.

[28:31] Eila Mell: Absolutely! Laurie Metcalf is a powerhouse. But what about the nominees who might surprise us?

[28:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, Marylouise Burke has a unique charm that could resonate with voters. It’s going to be interesting to see how the voting plays out.

[29:16] Matt Stashin: And don’t forget about Aya Cash! She’s been making waves with her role, and I think she could be a dark horse in this category.

[29:41] Eila Mell: Great points! Now, let’s move on to Lighting Design of a Musical. This category often goes unnoticed, but it’s so crucial to the overall experience.

[29:59] Bruce Gotlieb: Definitely! Kevin Adams has been nominated for his work, and he’s known for creating stunning visual landscapes.

[30:19] Matt Stashin: I agree, but I think Jane Cox’s work this year is particularly innovative. She really knows how to use light to enhance storytelling.

[30:42] Eila Mell: Both are fantastic choices! Now, how about Costume Design of a Play? This is another category where the artistry can really shine.

[31:02] Bruce Gotlieb: Emilio Sosa is always a strong contender, but I’m really excited about what Qween Jean has brought to the table this year.

[31:25] Matt Stashin: Yes! Qween Jean’s designs are fresh and vibrant. It’s going to be a tough call between them.

[31:40] Eila Mell: Moving on to Best Original Score, this is a category that often stirs up a lot of opinions. Who do you think will win?

[32:00] Bruce Gotlieb: I think Caroline Shaw has a strong chance. Her work has been praised for its originality and emotional depth.

[32:25] Matt Stashin: I’d have to agree, but let’s not overlook The Rescues. Their score has been captivating audiences all season long.

[32:45] Eila Mell: Great insights! Lastly, let’s discuss Director of a Play. This category can be quite competitive.

[32:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Nicholas Hytner is always a favorite, but Robert Icke has been making waves with his innovative direction.

[33:05] Matt Stashin: And we can’t forget about Kenny Leon. His work has been impactful and resonates with both audiences and critics.

[33:25] Eila Mell: Such a rich pool of talent this year! Now, let’s share some fun facts about the 2026 Tony nominees.

[33:45] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes! Did you know that this year’s nominees span across multiple genres and styles? It’s a testament to the diversity of talent in theater.

[34:05] Matt Stashin: Absolutely! And many of these nominees have collaborated with each other in the past, which adds an interesting layer to the competition.

[34:25] Eila Mell: It’s exciting to see how these connections influence their work.

[34:45] Bruce Gotlieb: And it’s also fascinating to see how the landscape of theater continues to evolve with each passing year.

[35:05] Matt Stashin: For sure! The 2026 Tony Awards are shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet.

[35:30] Eila Mell: We can’t wait to see how it all unfolds! Thank you, Matt, for joining us today and sharing your insights.

[35:58] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, thank you, Matt! And to our listeners, stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the awards.

[36:26] Matt Stashin: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the ceremony.

[36:36] Eila Mell: And don’t forget to check out my book, "The Tony Awards," for more behind-the-scenes stories and insights.

[36:56] Bruce Gotlieb: You can find it on Amazon and all major book retailers.

[37:16] Eila Mell: Thanks for listening, everyone! We’ll see you next time on Behind the Awards.

[37:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye for now!

[37:56] Matt Stashin: Bye!

[38:16] Eila Mell: Bye!

[38:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[38:56] Eila Mell: Bye!

[39:16] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[39:36] Eila Mell: Bye!

[39:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[40:16] Eila Mell: Bye!