This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Eli Tokash: Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of Take A Bow.

[0:04] Eli Tokash: It's 153, and I'm your host, Eli Tokash, and this week we've got a great episode for you folks. We are talking all things Tony Awards, all things Tony nominations, all the things. I'm so excited. And it's just gonna be me today. It's gonna be you got a lot of me today. So sorry. You know, if I put a guest on with this episode, it's gonna be three hours long. It's just gonna be madness or a little bit of an exaggeration, but it's it would be just a really long episode. There's too much to talk about, and I really wanted to, you know, chat with you guys and not have to rush through it all.

[0:35] Eli Tokash: With that being said, before we get into the grittiness of all things Tony Awards, Tony nominations that came out on Tuesday, May 2nd this week, I gotta talk to you about some Broadway news because there's some things that I wanted to mention, and there's also a show that I saw that I want to talk to you guys about. So on Tuesday, May 2nd, yesterday from when I'm recording, I got to see Greyhouse, which was just man, I don't know. It's starring Lori Metcalf, Sophia Ann Caruso. I've got some Mia Sinclair Jeanesse, Alyssa Marvin. Um, there's some familiar faces that you know have overlapped kind of with me and you know my generation of like Broadway kids or whatever. So some familiar faces, some familiar names for you folks to know and hear of.

[1:28] Eli Tokash: And so with that being said, I saw the show, and I just the show was it was creepy, it was scary, it was I don't it was crazy, it was it had so many twists and turns, it was it was confusing at times, and but then it was also with that beautiful and poetic and made so much sense and brilliant all at once, you know. It was just it was wild, you know. You're in the theater for an hour and 40 minutes, and you're kind of just like, what is happening? Like, what is going on? And and it's just it's it's really good. You know, we saw the third preview, and so much of it is up for interpretation. So much of it is up to you to decide. And I know that that's the same as interpretation, but it it really is. It's kind of this crazy thing and this crazy balance that they found to really take you on this journey and for you to figure out what this journey means, you know.

[2:44] Eli Tokash: It's it's it's really well done. We only saw their third preview, so I'm sure there's gonna be I mean, honestly, there was not many changes that need to be made. They may tighten it up a little bit, but you know, it was just it was crazy, and I feel like it's one of those shows that you like need to go back to fully understand and to fully catch everything because there's so much going on. The kids in the show are fantastic. There's kids in the show, you know, and it's great to see a new generation of Broadway kids on a stage because they really do shine and carry the show, which is really cool to see, and it's something that we haven't seen in five years, you know, since I was on Broadway. So we love that, and we also just love you know the story behind it all because it was interesting to see a new perspective on like the ghosts and the afterlife and and what haunts us as human beings, but also this kind of feminism of this feminist story of how all of these it's these girls, you know, showing and haunting a man for all of his wrongdoings, and it's just like holy moly, like it it's it's wild and it's really well put together, and there's so much to it, and it's so deep that I feel like I need to see it 17 more times.

[4:26] Eli Tokash: Um, but really I encourage everyone to see this show. I'm not usually a big horror guy, but honestly, like this show. I sure I was like creeped out a little bit at times and scared of like, oh, what's gonna happen next, and like, oh my god, but there's like no like jump scare or anything like that. Um you're kind they keep you on the edge of your seat in that kind of sense, but it's nothing that's like overly scary, nothing's too gory. Um, you know, I'm not usually into that things, and I was completely fine. So hopefully and you guys are too listening. But I highly recommend, you know, seeing the show if you are into those kind of things, and you know, just taking it a step further into looking at like what all of it means.

And there's like younger versions of their adult selves and you know, older versions of their ghosts and what is haunting them, and and and looking at it from that perspective of the feminist story behind it all is something that's even deeper because it's not really something that I understood fully until the end.

[5:35] Eli Tokash: Um so I feel like going into that next time will just be like a whole new journey to go on. So all of this to say, really enjoyed the show. It there's so much to take from it, it's so great. It's a play. Um, and you know how I feel about plays. So to be talking about a play for this long, you know, I liked it and thought it was good. And go see some familiar faces here. Uh if Lori Metcalf just everyone, honestly, like all of their performances are just masterclasses, and to be doing that eight shows a week, I mean, that is a challenge. And that is, you know, obviously why Lori Metcalf chose to tackle this material, because it's it is they have to be petrified and they have to be um vulnerable and they have to be, I mean, there's there's so many emotions that they take you through, and it it's pretty wild, and it's pretty amazing what what these performers do night in and night out. So congrats to all of them.

[6:34] Eli Tokash: First preview underway for them. It's now on Broadway at the Lyceum Theater. Definitely go check it out. Absolutely loved it, and I'm 100% going back. So uh can't wait for that. And um, you know, it's gonna be it's gonna be one you don't want to miss this season. It's not part of this year's Tony nominations, this Tony season, because it hasn't officially opened, and obviously the nominations came out. So just to let everyone know, this will be in the following year, if you know, if it happens to be nominated or whatever, and or win anything or whatever it may be. But yeah, so that's the that's that. And then I'm also going to see the sign in Sidney Brucein's window with Rachel Brosnahan and Oscar Isaac tonight on Wednesday, May 3rd.

[7:18] Eli Tokash: So yesterday, if you guys are listening to this on Thursday, the day that this comes out, which I'm very excited for, and I will let you all know how that is as well. So stay tuned for all of that. Um seeing a lot of plays, you know. I'm trying to fit in some shows, you know, the sign and Sydney Brucein's window is obviously a Tony eligible show. It got it was nominated for two Tony Awards. So I just want to just want to go see all the things this year and and really make an opinion on all of the things. Really great stuff. I'm excited for that. And I have some Broadway news to share uh before we get into the Tony Awards. I want to shout out Hamilton is doing a uh Ham for Ham for like the first time in years.

I mean, literally, we're talking 2018, 2019, maybe possibly even before that. I know they haven't done it since the pandemic, but they are doing a Ham for Ham with Sweeney Todd. Uh this was teased by Lynn Manuel Miranda himself on his Instagram, and that's gonna take place for the first time in years on Friday at 4 p.m. outside the Richard Rogers Theaters.

[8:25] Eli Tokash: And for those of you who don't know, who may be new to the theater scene or whatever it may be, Ham for Ham is Hamilton's lottery version. There it is. And uh it's Ham for Ham because it's Hamilton for $10, and Alexander Hamilton's on the $10 bill. So that's where that comes, and you get to see the show for $10 bucks, and they do a performance live before drawing the the names of the winners at the lottery of whatever it is. So that's very exciting. And to do that with Josh Groban, who is uh uh and Sweeney Todd, I guess. I don't know if Josh Groban's gonna be there. I just assumed because he is Sweeney Todd and they are doing Sweeney Todd uh collaboration. Um, but we'll see how that uh what happens here, and um yeah, it's it's gonna it's really fun, and I'm excited to hopefully go.

Uh it is on my birthday, Friday, May 5th, but uh who knows? I may be there. We'll see. So, you know, go check that out. Go get uh Hamilton tickets for 10 bucks, very exciting stuff. And uh yeah, that's that's the news I have for you folks this week. But I mean, this whole episode is a bit of Broadway news. So let's just get into the Tony nominations, shall we?

[9:36] Eli Tokash: So let me start off talking about the Tony nominations by just saying I don't know what was going on Tuesday morning. Okay, um, it was 9 a.m. Okay, and I I was honestly shocked to see uh that a lot of the performers were awake as they were doing their videos, uh like they posted on social media of them like finding out because I've come on here and talked to a lot of people like, oh, I woke up to a bunch of texts and all the things, like it I think it's absolutely hilarious. Because I mean that's real. They they just well, I guess Monday nights they don't have a show, but uh, you know, performers don't get up before 9 a.m. at all. So to to see that was uh it was really fun. And some of them were even on like the Today Show at that time, like some Like It Hot cast was all together, Camelot's cast was together.

It was really, really cool to see, you know, kind of everyone just be with one another and and get to share in that news as it came out together. It was really, really cool. The videos were adorable. So to check those out. It's on the Sun Like It Hot social media pages.

[10:44] Eli Tokash: Anyways, I just, you know, we've got to figure out this whole nomination. How we do the nominations for the Tony Awards. I think doing it at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday is not the move. I feel like it's a Monday at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. when like a show usually happens. I feel like it can be a thing, like a legit thing, like make an event out of it. Why are we watching it on YouTube live for 10 minutes? Miles Frost and Leah Michelle, all the credit to them. I mean, I'm sure they didn't sleep. They were at the Met Gala the night before. Actually, shout out to all the people that uh all the Broadway people who were at the Met Gala because it seems like every Tony nominee was at the freaking Met Gala except Philippa Soo, which she was there, but she didn't get nominated, which we'll get into in a second. But um, yeah, it was like that was kind of funny.

[11:39] Eli Tokash: Anyways, moving on. So they those poor things didn't sleep. They were at the hotel at like 7 a.m. uh getting all ready and ready to do the stream. And we do this stream and it's 10 minutes. We pause for a minute to take a look and and thank sponsors. But there's the the rest is literally like I'm being held hostage, I'm reading through a scroll of people's names that that I'm being told to say. I was like, oh my word, like what are we watching here? And and no nothing against Leah and and Miles because you everyone knows that I absolutely love both of those people as performers. Miles Frost, I I can go on tangents for for days. Um a huge fan of his. So I'm like nothing against them at all. And I know that they're just doing what they're being told, but what a like there are some hilarious personalities here on Broadway.

There are big personalities here on Broadway. And if we're not marketing that, then we're not representing Broadway and our community and our industry the in the proper way. You know, I mean, I don't know how it's 10 minutes of just saying names.

[12:56] Eli Tokash: Like there was nothing thrilling about the nominations this year, and it was because like they didn't allow them that freedom.

[13:04] Eli Tokash: I was thrilled from Miles Frost when he mentioned that it was his grandma's birthday, because I was like, oh, finally we can see a little bit about these people that are hosting, like hosts, okay.

[13:14] Eli Tokash: They announce it as oh, Miles Frost and Leah Michelle are hosting this year's Tony nominations announcement.

[13:21] Eli Tokash: Okay, then let them host.

[13:22] Eli Tokash: Like let them do their thing.

[13:24] Eli Tokash: I'm not asking them to do a whole Broadway show and like give us a performance and whatnot, but like there can be some conversation about it, there can be some communication between one another before they even announce the people.

[13:38] Eli Tokash: There could just some sort of back and forth banter showing each other their personality.

[13:43] Eli Tokash: It was great to see Miles Frost shout out his grandmother, as I mentioned, and it was great to see Leah Michelle like get excited for Michaela Diamond, you know, and it just gives us an insight of like them as people and like they can root for their friends, like that is okay.

[13:58] Eli Tokash: Just because they did that for Michaela Diamond does not mean that they need to do that for everyone.

[14:03] Eli Tokash: And I'm sorry if that seems unfair, but like that's you know, if you don't know the person, you're not gonna be as excited for them.

[14:10] Eli Tokash: But if you're if this person is like your best friend and and you see each other and you you talk and you text or whatever, like it's okay to be happy for the people who are in your life and you the people that you know have gotten you through stuff, like that that's completely fine.

[14:25] Eli Tokash: I I don't see anything wrong with that.

[14:28] Eli Tokash: And um, I think that I just wish that there was a little bit more of that and a little more insight into these people as a whole and this community, because everyone talks about how close and tight-knit this community is, but when we're just reading off a teleprompter of who's getting a nomination for the biggest award in the Broadway industry and in the community, like we're not showing any sort of like excitement, and and I just feel like there was an opportunity to have more of that, and um, you know, I wanted to see more of that, and I think that the Broadway industry can do so a little bit more with that, you know, thing.

[14:28] Eli Tokash: And I think that they need to they need to market it better, they need to get the people and fans involved, they need to, you know how everyone does their Tony Award prediction type of thing on a sheet, you know, why not do that for the nominations, you know, make predictions, allow them to come and watch, uh like give a limited audience and and and gain revenue here.

[15:32] Eli Tokash: Like, I don't know what what's going on here in the sense of like we're we're not making this a big deal because frankly, that day was more exciting because no one knew what was gonna happen than the Tony Awards, because then the Tony Awards is just one winner, and usually we can we can predict those or we can see there's a couple categories where it's like, oh, who's it gonna be?

[15:56] Eli Tokash: But this, it's like who is gonna be the five out of the 25, you know, not the one out of five, you know.

[16:03] Eli Tokash: So I don't know.

[16:04] Eli Tokash: I just feel like there was so much potential here, and it wasn't the full potential, and I feel like we could just make it more fun, and I want to see more fun next year, and not just a 10 minute thing of just reading names, like make it be an hour long special.

[16:18] Eli Tokash: Let's do some fun things, let's get the community involved, and um, you know, let's make something out of it.

[16:25] Eli Tokash: Because, you know, a lot of people there this is their this is their thing, like this is the highlight of their year.

[16:32] Eli Tokash: Uh, all you Broadway fans listening, you don't care about the Super Bowl, you don't care about the Stanley Cup, like whatever these sports terms are that you want to share and throw out.

[16:42] Eli Tokash: Like, we don't we don't care about that as much as the Tony Awards, like this is our big day.

[16:47] Eli Tokash: So, you know, just I want to see more of that for us, for us fans and audience members.

[16:53] Eli Tokash: Um, and this is not a knock on Leah or Miles, this is more of like a a shout out to the Tony community and being like, hey, let's try to do something here with the Broadway League and and actors equity.

[17:05] Eli Tokash: Let's get everyone involved and let's figure something out that we could do something really special and make this day extra exciting and extra fun and and continue to grow our market.

[17:17] Eli Tokash: Like they Leah Michelle is a big name, you know, and there were some people on Broadway this year with big names and big followings that not just Broadway fans were tuning in this year, but uh if I'm not a Broadway fan and I'm seeing that, I'm like, okay, like, great.

[17:33] Eli Tokash: That that doesn't make me want to be a fan of Broadway and see the next Broadway show, you know.

[17:39] Eli Tokash: Like, we need something like that for these big audiences with these big names that we have on Broadway right now.

[17:44] Eli Tokash: We need to take advantage of this time to grow our audience and in our market.

[17:49] Eli Tokash: Um, anyways, that's my little rant.

[17:52] Eli Tokash: We'll move on.

[17:53] Eli Tokash: Let's talk about the Tony nominations themselves.

[17:56] Eli Tokash: First of all, congratulations to everyone that did get nominated.

[18:00] Eli Tokash: Thrilled for everyone involved.

[18:01] Eli Tokash: Everyone works so freaking hard on Broadway that everyone deserves recognition and none of this nonsense press that you know shows like bad Cinderella and uh you know, a beautiful noise didn't get any recognition.

[18:18] Eli Tokash: Uh 1776 didn't get any recognition.

[18:21] Eli Tokash: You know, there were a lot of shows that just like what is happening?

[18:26] Eli Tokash: Um, and it's really unfortunate to see, but uh, you know, it I it is what it is, I guess.

[18:32] Eli Tokash: But um, I always say that the Tony Awards, you know, we try not to let them define us, but the reality is is it does because it's a business and audience members see 13 Tony Awards nominations, they're gonna go see that rather than something that just simply did not get nominated.

[18:50] Eli Tokash: So um it'll be interesting to see what the turnover is like here in the next couple months, um, and how the ticket sales go and all of that things.

[18:58] Eli Tokash: It'll be something interesting to keep our eyes on.

[19:00] Eli Tokash: And for those of you who did not get nominated or recognized in any way, you know, like uh my apologies go out to you all because I know how hard it is.

[19:09] Eli Tokash: And you know, finding every land didn't get any nominations, and it still was able to run for two years, which is a solid run on Broadway.

[19:17] Eli Tokash: It's rare that people get over a year.

[19:20] Eli Tokash: Um, so you know, the it's possible, but uh it it just makes it a little bit more challenging and to see how these shows deal with it uh coming up will be uh pretty interesting to to see.

[19:31] Eli Tokash: I do want to to say that I'm thrilled for uh you know shows like some like it hot and Juliet.

[19:37] Eli Tokash: I've said all year, you know, it seems like there was a lot of buzz around Kimberly Akimbo with like you know, winning best musical.

[19:45] Eli Tokash: I even came into the season being like, oh, that's gonna win, you know, that's so good.

[19:49] Eli Tokash: And then I saw some like it hot and Juliet, and lately I've kind of been on that train in the sense of I thought they were great, both shows, and you know, those two shows led the way.

[20:00] Eli Tokash: So Like It Hot had 13 nominations and Juliet with nine nominations.

[20:04] Eli Tokash: They were tied for second with New York, New York, and Shucked.

[20:08] Eli Tokash: And honestly, New York, New York getting more nominations than Kimberly Akimbo is wild to me.

[20:13] Eli Tokash: But like, go off, you know.

[20:15] Eli Tokash: Um New York, New York beat uh Kimberly Akimbo.

[20:20] Eli Tokash: I mean, it had more nominations than the revivals, obviously, because there's a little bit more categories for newer shows.

[20:27] Eli Tokash: Uh so that just makes sense.

[20:28] Eli Tokash: But the fact that, you know, I don't I don't know.

[20:31] Eli Tokash: I it was just a little surprising to me personally with that with both with honestly, both Shucked and New York New York.

[20:38] Eli Tokash: I haven't seen Shucked uh getting more nominations than Kimberly Akimbo with the buzz that it had.

[20:42] Eli Tokash: But you know, nominations aren't everything, and we'll see what happens and see who wins these categories.

[20:47] Eli Tokash: Uh, because those are, you know, just as meaningful as the nominations when it comes down to it.

[20:52] Eli Tokash: But yeah, huge shout out to some like it hot.

[20:54] Eli Tokash: I've said that probably that would be my pick to win it all this year because it's literally just like Camelot, I said for the revival, you know, some like it hot is Broadway, and it's this big Broadway musical, and it's original, it's not like the pop songs like Anne Juliet, because that's big and that's big Broadway.

[21:15] Eli Tokash: Kimberly Akimbo's a little bit more smaller, and you know, it's not as flashy, you know, it's really not like when you think of Broadway, it's it's it's flashy, and uh, you know, Kimberly Kimbo's not that, so I figured like for the Tony purposes, you know, the the voters would kind of lean more that, and it seems by the nominations that they are.

[21:36] Eli Tokash: Um, but we'll see, we'll see how that goes and how that continues to play out.

[21:40] Eli Tokash: Um, I think it'll be pretty interesting.

[21:43] Eli Tokash: So that all of that said, in the revival category, leading the way was Sweeney Todd with the nominations, gaining eight Tony nominations, which is super exciting.

[21:53] Eli Tokash: I've yet to see Sweeney Todd, very excited to see it.

[21:56] Eli Tokash: I've yet to see Parade as well on Broadway.

[21:59] Eli Tokash: I saw it at City Center, so I would love and need to see it here on Broadway, and then of course, in that category as well, is Into the Woods and Camelot, who into the woods tied with parade for second most nominations in a revival category, and Camelot was last in the nominations category.

[22:17] Eli Tokash: And let me tell you, they would be tied for second, it would be a three-way tie for second if these Tony Ward voters got it right.

[22:27] Eli Tokash: How is Philip Passo not nominated for best like leading actress in a musical?

[22:35] Eli Tokash: Like my mind is blown.

[22:37] Eli Tokash: Okay, so now we're on the conversation.

[22:39] Eli Tokash: We're talking about snubs now.

[22:40] Eli Tokash: Okay, there's too many to subs to talk about.

[22:43] Eli Tokash: Philip Pusue I is is leading the way for me.

[22:46] Eli Tokash: I came on here and said I would be absolutely shocked if she didn't get a Tony Award.

[22:46] Eli Tokash: Well, I am.

[22:46] Eli Tokash: She didn't get a Tony nomination, and I am at a loss for words.

[22:56] Eli Tokash: This is literally lunacy, in my opinion.

[22:59] Eli Tokash: Philip Asieux gave a masterclass performance for her role in Camelot.

[23:05] Eli Tokash: Just stunning.

[23:07] Eli Tokash: And her counterpart, you know, Jordan Donica did get the nomination, similar to Anna Uzaley, who um is the lead in New York, New York.

[23:16] Eli Tokash: You know, usually we see this pairing of okay, Ben Platt got a nomination, Michaela Diamond got a nomination, Josh Grobin got a nomination, Annalie Ashford got a nomination.

[23:28] Eli Tokash: It's kind of like, you know, they feed off of each other and they complement each other's performances and they kind of go hand in hand.

[23:35] Eli Tokash: So it was kind of shocking to me in that sense.

[23:37] Eli Tokash: It was also shocking and very upsetting to see that the male categories, both in a musical and in a play.

[23:48] Eli Tokash: So in the musical category, best performance by an actor in a leading role of a play, they had five nominations, and the female category had four nominations.

[24:00] Eli Tokash: In the musical category, best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical.

[24:05] Eli Tokash: There were six men nominated and five women nominated.

[24:10] Eli Tokash: That is crazy to me.

[24:13] Eli Tokash: I don't care if you know.

[24:38] Eli Tokash: Okay.

[24:39] Eli Tokash: If there's a tie that and there's six people, why not make six people in the other category?

[24:48] Eli Tokash: Same in a play.

[24:49] Eli Tokash: I understand that two people were nominated from the same show, and they probably split the votes and tied, so they just added both of them.

[24:56] Eli Tokash: Okay, then give someone else an opportunity here.

[25:01] Eli Tokash: I I mean, I I don't think that's crazy to think.

[25:05] Eli Tokash: It's not just Philip Asue and Anna Uzeli who got snubbed.

[25:09] Eli Tokash: Adriana Hicks, both of her co-stars got nominated in the sense of Christian Borrow and Jay Harrison Gee.

[25:16] Eli Tokash: Adriana Hicks is the lead uh woman in and some like it hot and gives a stunning performance of sugar.

[25:23] Eli Tokash: And she didn't get nominated.

[25:25] Eli Tokash: Okay.

[25:26] Eli Tokash: So there's three females that had an opportunity that just weren't given the opportunity.

[25:31] Eli Tokash: And I'll also go a step further in mentioning Robin Herder.

[25:36] Eli Tokash: Robin Herter gives a stunning performance in A Beautiful Noise.

[25:40] Eli Tokash: A beautiful noise did not get a single nomination.

[25:43] Eli Tokash: And that's fine, and it is what it is.

[25:54] Eli Tokash: So, uh, I digress. But with Robin Herder and Will Swenson not getting anything was shocking because both of them are the only reason that that show is really like enjoyable and like wanting to go back. Like she makes me, Robin Herder makes me want to go back. Will Swenson, I'd see that performance any day of the week. Give me it. Like both of them steal the show multiple times in that production. And it's really unfortunate to see that, you know, they didn't get the recognition for the work that they're putting in. It's wild to me. So with that being said, there's three opportunities right there, and I think that it's not fair. And I don't really care if there is the argument of, oh, they only did it for the tie, because I think that they just could have added another woman to the category then and just evened the playing field.

But you know what? It is what it is, and I think we're past the gender categories anyways. I know it's probably a fair way to do the Tony Awards in the sense of giving, you know, everyone an opportunity. I think that the Tony Awards are nervous to do a non-binary category or just like a neutral category. I can't answer why that is, but I think they are. Um, and I think that, you know, I think that's the only thing holding them back, so it's just interesting to think about and, you know, kind of try to understand and raise flags about to hopefully, you know, get them to understand eventually.

[27:40] Eli Tokash: Anyways, I'm gonna move on and I'm gonna continue talking about snubs. I think that, uh, who else do we think here? Should we go into plays? We'll go into plays. I think that Jefferson Mays was absolutely snubbed for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play. I don't know how he didn't get nominated. That man was on the stage the entire time. It was a one-man show. Jefferson Mays did it all, he did not get a nomination. Don't understand it. I didn't see a lot of the plays that were nominated in that category. I know I'm saying this right now, and I have yet to see any of the plays that were nominated in the category, and frankly, I won't be able to see many of them because Top Dog Underdog is closed.

Uh, I could see Goodnight Oscar, uh, Between Riverside and Crazy, Death of a Salesman, I believe are both closed. So, you know, I won't really have the opportunity to see those performances by those performers, but, uh, you know, I was just, it was shocking, and it's again, I think it's a timing thing again, and this, and I'll say it with Jeremy Pope in The Collaboration. I mean, I don't know why he's not on that list. And frankly, like when Top Dog Underdog splits votes, I don't know how they put both of them in there, and they don't do someone that I, I don't know. I think it's interesting. I think that one show should have one leading person. You know, you have a lead character, you know.

That's it. I don't know how you have three different leads as, or two male and one female. Like, I don't understand how that all works. Obviously, the Tony Awards committee decides all of that. I think that they should just keep it to one. I think that they should put the second character in a featured role, and I think that that's the fairest way to put it all together, just to give everyone a fair, uh, and the shows a fair opportunity to succeed.

[29:38] Eli Tokash: And you know, going further, I think that Haran Abhisakara in Life of Pi. I think it's crazy that he didn't get nominated. Um, there were three male performers in it that I thought got absolutely snubbed, and now I'm showing, and now I'm telling you that from the three plays that I saw this season. So you could take it with a grain of salt or whatever. But, um, you know, just I was blown away with the fact that those three in particular were not nominated in their respective categories that they, uh, were eligible for. Again, didn't see them, so I don't want to say I don't know how this one's nominated and this one isn't. And I think that that's, uh, unfair to say, anyways, because, you know, everyone works just as hard.

Uh, and I'm sure their performances were great too, obviously, because they are in the role. But sometimes, you know, the committee does do like how good is Sean Hayes in Goodnight Oscar. I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know. Is he nominated because he's Sean Hayes, or is he nominated because the performance was good? You know, and you don't hear the names Jefferson Mays and Haran Abhisakara in these larger platforms and these in the media and all the things like you do with Sean Hayes and Wendell Pierce and people like that. Um, I'm leaving Jeremy Pope out of this particular argument because he is in a Marvel movie, so we do see him in the media, uh, occasionally. But yeah, I just think that, you know, there's that whole thing to think about as well. And hopefully, you know, that's not the case, but you can't help but think when you have these incredible performances, how they didn't get in.

[31:19] Eli Tokash: So there's that, and then I'll continue to go further and I'll go back to featured actress in a musical, and to say, I mean, okay, Bad Cinderella did not get nominated, fine. There were articles everywhere that, you know, they got what they deserved, did not getting a Tony nomination. They popped off in the comments of the live stream. It's an honor not to be nominated. You know, they were kind of having fun with it. And it's just like, I get it. Like it's not the best musical, but like, how are you gonna punish someone like Carolee Carmelo, Grace McLean, Jordan Dobson? You know, they're all like with what they're giving, they are making the most off of the material, off of the character, out of everything.

And it's really kind of frustrating that they're not getting that recognition that they deserve. Because frankly, I mean, the Queens, they're the best part of Bad Cinderella. And obviously, Linady would be the one who would get nominated for leading actress. But, uh, Kara Lee and Grace are just as important to the show and have a huge role and they shine every time they're on that stage. Like when they're not on stage, you kind of think to yourself, like, oh, I can't wait for the next queen moment because they are just that good, they are that funny, they're that entertaining, and they are that good at what they do. And so to not recognize them was crazy to me, in the sense of like I thought at least one of them deserved some sort of recognition, and even just to like go even further, just to give the musical itself, the show, an opportunity to have some sort of success. You know, I thought it was unfortunate a little bit, but you know, it is what it is, and the decisions were made, and those weren't mine, so I'm just criticizing their choices.

[33:14] Eli Tokash: Um, okay, moving on, Gavin Creel, Joshua Henry, Alex Joseph Gray, all were snubbed in the category of best performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical. I'm thrilled for everyone that did get, uh, nominated here. Everyone I thought absolutely deserved the nomination. So I don't want to take away anything here because I was actually able to see all of these shows. Well, I didn't see Shucked, but Kevin Cahun's performance I hear is fantastic in Shucked. And you know, Justin, Kevin, Jordan, and Alex for their Kimberly Kimbo, Some Like It Hot, Camelot, and Shucked. I'm thrilled for all of them and getting nominated and the recognition that they deserved. I was just surprised to not see Gavin Creel, Joshua Henry for their roles in Into the Woods, and Alex Joseph Gray for his performance in Parade, because I think his performance in Parade is absolutely wonderful.

Honestly, I honestly thought that Jake Peterson could have gotten nominated, the role of Frankie Epps in Parade. I thought that there were so many wonderful performances on Broadway this year. And I think that this is a testament to how strong this season is, where it's anyone's game, and so many people were doing the work and doing it so well that I think it was, it's really cool to see. And, um, you know, I thought that that was another snub, but again, it's a category where it's like again, not everyone can get nominated, and it's unfortunate. But, um, yeah, uh, I don't know. I just thought I'd mention that.

[34:35] Eli Tokash: And, uh, I think that's all I had off the top of my head, at least for snubs. I haven't really been able to fully digest it because it just came out yesterday, and I haven't been able to see everything. So, um, I may be switching that come Tony predictions, but you know, we'll see how it goes. And, uh, yeah, that's the biggest snubs that I saw. And then, um, I just want to give a little rundown here of, you know, the people that did get nominated. I was shocked that the only nomination that Ohio State Murders got was Audrey McDonald's performance. Again, not surprised, but, uh, shocked to see that was the only nomination. Uh, not even Kenny Leon for his directing. Kenny Leon didn't get nominated for anything and had two Broadway shows that he directed this season.

And I was just blown away by that because I think his work is just absolutely stunning. I will go further in saying I'm glad that K-pop got some recognition here at the Tony Awards, even after their very, very short run here on Broadway. And I was just really upset to see again, no 1776, no Beautiful Noise, no Kite Runner. I was just, it was really, I couldn't believe it. So, with that being said, you know, that's my rundown of the Tony Awards this season. I'm not gonna list all the categories because like I said, y'all can look that up. It's pretty like, I don't know, it's not really that surprising, but there were some big snubs that I thought were in this season that I thought people deserved. And I wanted to just come on here to give them some recognition and, uh, you know, applaud them for the work that they're doing.

[35:46] Eli Tokash: So, with that being said, that's all I have. That's my rundown for the Tony Awards this season. I will give my predictions closer to the Tony Awards, and I'll chat with you all about all of that soon. Next week we have another episode. We're coming back to the interviews and all of that. We actually have a very fun interview next week. I'm very excited for it. I'm excited to share it with you all. I know you guys are gonna enjoy it. We have a couple guests on the episode, and, uh, they're all just absolutely hilarious and so much fun. So looking forward to it.

[36:41] Eli Tokash: And, uh, thank you all so much for listening to me rant about my Tony Awards view and my nomination rundown and all the things. And, uh, yeah, I can't wait for the Tony Awards this year. I think it's gonna be a really fun season. Ariana DeBose is hosting the Tony Awards, and you all know I love her and love that that's happening. So I can't wait to see it. And I know that this is gonna be a good season, and hopefully we can, you know, attend the Tony Awards this year, but, uh, we'll see how that goes. So, anyways, thanks again for listening. I hope that everyone is having a great week, and I hope that, uh, from now until next week, you all have another great week. So, until then, bye everyone. Have a great week.

[37:24] Eli Tokash: For this episode's curtain call, I would like to recognize a few people who also deserve to take a bow. This podcast would not be possible without the help from Lori Barenstein, Alan Seales, Kimberly Garrett, and the team at the Broadway Podcast Network. Next in line to take a bow are our fabulous editors, Jessica Warren, who edits the audio of the podcast that you just listened to, and Tessie Tokash, who edits the videos and visuals for this podcast. And how about a bow for our executive producer, Chris Greiner? And our final bow are extra special to the patrons Brian Thompson, Pat McNamara, the listeners at PCC, as well as all of the other patrons for their continued support. If you're interested in becoming a patron, go to Patreon.com slash T A B. If you enjoyed this week's episode, make sure to subscribe on the platform that you are currently listening to this on, or go check out our YouTube where you can watch the episode.

You can also subscribe, like, and comment on there as well. If you're more into the regular social media and want to follow us, you can do that at Take A Bow Podcast across all social media platforms. The music of this podcast was made by Nikki Torsha and Cormac Collinon, and the logo was created by Giselle Bustoes. And that wraps up this episode's curtain call. Thank you all again for listening to this week's episode, and I can't wait to see you next week. Bye everyone. Have a great week.