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[0:10] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's the round table with me, Robert Bannon. Yay, well, welcome. Hi, everybody. Welcome to the round table. My name is Robert Bannon. I'm so excited to be here on the Broadway Podcast Network. It's such an honor to be here, and I have an esteemed panel of the Tony Awards. The Tony Award nominations come out April 30th. Are you ready? Do you have a favorite? This live audience has a favorite. Well, we have someone who is really an expert on the Tony Awards with a book called The Tony Awards. Eila Mell is here. This book is so gorgeous. You can get it wherever books are sold. Everywhere books are sold. Everywhere books are sold. And it's so beautiful, and it only took her 10 months to make it.

And I've been, oh my goodness, I can't even pay my cable bill in 10 months. And the one and only, he's produced many nominated Tony Award albums. He is a cabaret superstar. His next show is at 54 Below May 10th at 9:30 called Contractually Obligated. He's contractually obligated to be here with us today. Robbie Rozelle is here. And one of my favorite podcasts, no offense to Alan Seales, but one of the most fun podcasts to listen to on the Broadway Podcast Network is Survival Job. Jason Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo are here. And in the green room before the show started, they told me that they have controversial hot take opinions on this award season. This award season, we said seems like it's been going on for decades.

It started in 2002. You guys remember Greyhouse was this season? Yeah. That was May. Greyhouse made my stomach hurt. Yes, yes, literally. Well, the Tony Awards are at Lincoln Center June 12th. On April 30th, the nominations will come out.

[2:09] Robert Bannon: Do you, doing research for your book, did you, there's a panel of people who nominate shows?

[2:15] Eila Mell: There are.

[2:16] Robert Bannon: And do you think there's a lot of infighting? Do you think that they do they, is it a secret ballot? Is it like Survivor? What happens?

[2:23] Eila Mell: Well, I don't know because I wasn't part of it. It's very secret. I can't be telling that. I wasn't part of that. I was part of the history of the Tony Awards.

[2:31] Eila Mell: Yes. And the first Tony Awards, all the way back in time till now has grown into be a big production.

[2:37] Robert Bannon: Oh yeah.

[2:38] Eila Mell: It's a big old show.

[2:39] Robert Bannon: It used to be a luncheon.

[2:40] Eila Mell: I like a luncheon.

[2:42] Robert Bannon: I like that too. I enjoy a luncheon with something.

[2:44] Eila Mell: We have now better.

[2:45] Robert Bannon: Yes, absolutely. Robbie, do you remember growing up and watching the Tony Awards?

[2:48] Robbie Rozelle: You know, as back in the first Tony Awards lunch that you were there.

[2:52] Robert Bannon: Actually.

[2:53] Robbie Rozelle: I was handed a statuette and a grilled chicken breast. And I'm just thrilled. Um, I grew up loving the Tony Awards. That's like how was my gateway to musical theater, like as a little gay boy growing up in upstate New York. It was production numbers from like Grand Hotel and The Secret Garden and Once on This Island, things like that that made me want to enter this industry.

[3:14] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. And now you're here.

[3:17] Robert Bannon: Jason, do you have memory? Where'd you grow up, Jason?

[3:19] Jason Coombs: I grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which is a very little inner city. So I didn't grow up watching the Tonys until I got to high school when I went to perform an arts high school and I got introduced to the world of musical theater, thanks to Rent, of course.

[3:32] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[3:33] Jason Coombs: Yeah. And since then, I just, I watch every year.

[3:35] Robert Bannon: Every year. I think we forget, being from the Tri-State area, that there's an entire world that is craving art and seeing Broadway. And a lot of times, it is people's only yearly experience seeing Broadway shows on stage. So it's a really exciting event.

[3:49] Robert Bannon: Sam, what's your, do you remember watching the Tonys?

[3:52] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes. I grew up doing community theater. So we used to do like little parties, like viewing parties, watching them. Um, and then I grew up with shout out Robin De Jesús, was my theater teacher. Then he decided to start getting nominated for Tonys. So then we like had elevated viewing parties, um, which was fierce. And then I sat in the balcony and when he lost a Boys in the Band. Fourth time's a charm, you know what I mean? It's gonna happen. I think so. It's gonna happen.

[4:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: Well, I was telling the story before that I was 12 years old when my parents bought tickets to be in the third mezzanine of the 50th Tony Awards. We went to the Men's Warehouse and rented a tuxedo and had a whole moment, little bow tie, and just obsessed with theater and obsessed with musicals. So I love, I love the Tony Awards.

[4:34] Robert Bannon: This season we're gonna go through some of our predictions. There's a lot of shows. This is not like the COVID year where it's one nominee and one winner.

[4:42] Eila Mell: No, and there's no clear front runner.

[4:44] Robert Bannon: The gas leak season.

[4:46] Eila Mell: No, there is no clear front runner. It can go anywhere.

[4:48] Robert Bannon: And as awards shows open and reviews come out and critics come out, the, it seems to be shaping and changing on the daily.

[4:55] Eila Mell: Yes.

[4:55] Robert Bannon: So can we just go right from the get-go? Because I'm ready for the hot takes because I'm scared.

[5:00] Eila Mell: Okay.

[5:01] Robert Bannon: I'm sorry, we're trying, you are such a classy person and author with her book out, and then you're on this panel with us, troublemakers.

[5:11] Eila Mell: I'm excited to be here.

[5:12] Robert Bannon: Well, let's talk about best musical. The best musical started the first show that opened this season was Once Upon a One More Time, way back in the summer. And that was a really fun red carpet because it was like Housewives and Broadway stars and glitter and all the fun things. And then all the way till shows like that opened last night and are opening today, like Cabaret and Hell's Kitchen. So there's a plethora of shows. Do we have a Sam? Do you have a favorite? Do you have, you told me you have a hot controversial take?

[5:38] Samantha Tuozzolo: I do think it's controversial. Excuse me, controversial. I can't speak. I just want to say, like the buzz coming around with Illinois is major, and I don't really know much about it. I'm going to the dress on Tuesday. People are saying it's going to come in and sweep it away. That's just what I'm hearing.

[5:56] Samantha Tuozzolo: Okay, that is not my opinions, but I just want to say we shouldn't be sleeping on Illinois. I just, I haven't seen everything, but I've seen a lot. And I think everybody is hating on The Notebook in such a bad way. And I thought it was beautifully staged. I thought the performances were beautiful. I thought it was acted beautifully. And I think that we shouldn't sleep on The Notebook. My two favorites so far were Days of Wine and Roses.

[6:21] Robert Bannon: Sorry, Jason, is coming in with a much different opinion.

[6:24] Samantha Tuozzolo: And I love The Notebook.

[6:27] Robert Bannon: The faces, if you're listening.

[6:29] Jason Coombs: Okay.

[6:30] Robert Bannon: I'm not, I didn't, I'm not judging. I didn't go see Days of Wine and Roses.

[6:34] Jason Coombs: Because I, no comment.

[6:37] Robert Bannon: Go ahead.

[6:39] Jason Coombs: I thought it was beautiful. I mean, look, look, what's theater to make you feel about real life, right? Days of Wine and Roses was such real life. Like I was sobbing when I left there. Other folks were laughing.

[6:50] Samantha Tuozzolo: She was.

[6:51] Jason Coombs: You must know a lot of drunk people that are...

[6:52] Samantha Tuozzolo: No, and not even drunk people, just like love and like families getting like split apart, whatever the reason might be. You know, I think, yes, ultimately it's about alcoholism and like families getting split apart because of addiction. But if you look deeper than that, it's love and family and raising a kid and trying to navigate life, whatever the challenges may be. And I think that's why I was like, this is great. I thought it was great.

[7:17] Jason Coombs: I think Kelly O'Hara is coming in hot for that Tony. I think she definitely could sweep it away.

[7:24] Robert Bannon: Um, okay.

[7:26] Eila Mell: Oh, they're fighting.

[7:27] Robert Bannon: All right. Who's gonna win?

[7:28] Eila Mell: Marianne Plunkett, I hear is also considered for leading, which I think is insane because that's so smart.

[7:34] Jason Coombs: It's smart.

[7:35] Eila Mell: She's the backbone of the show.

[7:37] Jason Coombs: But she doesn't sing.

[7:39] Eila Mell: That's not a leading part.

[7:40] Jason Coombs: She should be in supporting.

[7:42] Eila Mell: No, I think that's a leading part, actually.

[7:44] Jason Coombs: You do.

[7:45] Eila Mell: Yes, and Lindsay Mendez should be in supporting because I think that's crazy.

[7:49] Jason Coombs: Oh, I think differently.

[7:51] Eila Mell: But I get it.

[7:52] Jason Coombs: I saw Days of Wine and Roses, and I saw no wine or roses on that stage anywhere.

[7:58] Eila Mell: So there were lots of plants and there were lots of mixed drinks.

[8:01] Jason Coombs: This is like Broadway.

[8:03] Eila Mell: No truth in advertising.

[8:09] Jason Coombs: Did you have a favorite musical? Do you have a favorite musical front runner?

[8:13] Jason Coombs: Okay, so I might be a hot take, and I just saw it Friday night. I loved Hell's Kitchen. I thought it was so beautiful. I loved the, uh, So Shana.

[8:23] Eila Mell: Mm-hmm.

[8:24] Jason Coombs: Incredible. Like, she's a, of course we all know she's a queen, but her acting, like I've never, I've only seen her in Songs for a New World in person. So I knew she can sing it down, but I've never seen her like really, really act like that. And her mother and daughter, like the mother-daughter combination, iconic.

[8:38] Eila Mell: Critics pick.

[8:40] Jason Coombs: So Shana's great. She's making a lot of food on that stage.

[8:44] Eila Mell: She's like, if there was a Tony Award for Best Cooking.

[8:48] Jason Coombs: I would be in.

[8:49] Eila Mell: She's fantastic.

[8:51] Robert Bannon: Well, I see it on Wednesday, and I'm very excited to see it. I can't wait. I'm gonna love it.

[8:56] Jason Coombs: They're date, and they're singing down.

[8:58] Eila Mell: They're dancing down.

[9:00] Jason Coombs: They're dancing down. And the production value was incredible. I think it came out swinging, and people are now taking it a lot more seriously than they did when it was over at the public.

[9:09] Robert Bannon: Robbie, how for me, best musical.

[9:13] Robbie Rozelle: Shit up with SUFS.

[9:15] Eila Mell: Subs.

[9:15] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah. I think it's incredible. I think it's so well written, and the work that they've done between the public and Broadway has tightened it and strengthened it in such a great way. It's fantastic. Tip to toe. I really think it would win best musical. I, you know, it's weightier than a lot of the musicals this season, and that is gonna push a lot of people. Honestly, it would not surprise me if Heart of Rock and Roll snuck in as like a dark horse because it's so fun in a season of like sad, depressing shows. And Heart of Rock and Roll is like mac and cheese for your eyes. It is so wonderful and just joyful at all times. I had a blast.

[9:56] Robert Bannon: Anybody think Back to the Future has a chance of getting in?

[9:59] Jason Coombs: No.

[9:59] Robert Bannon: No.

[10:00] Jason Coombs: Okay.

[10:01] Robert Bannon: Oh tough crowd.

[10:04] Robert Bannon: We're gonna go right here to the esteemed published author of the Tony Award book. Do you have a favorite? Do you have a pick? Are you allowed to tell us?

[10:14] Eila Mell: Yes, uh, yes, I can. I am Team Outsiders.

[10:17] Eila Mell: Okay, I love The Outsiders. I thought that was so much fun. I went in without expectations, and it just stuck with me. I just keep thinking about it. And the music was beautiful, and so I'm all about The Outsiders right now.

[10:30] Robert Bannon: I'm obsessed that out of the four people sitting up here, they each came up with a different idea. And the people in the audience right now all probably have different ideas and favorites. My friend Rosemary comes in from Jersey. She sees every show. She supports theater and art. She's here right now. I'm sure she has a pick for this season. It's really an overwhelming season. So we have a Days of Wine and Roses.

[10:51] Robert Bannon: Slash The Notebook.

[10:52] Robert Bannon: Slash The Notebook. We have a Hell's Kitchen. We have a SUFS. And we have an Outsiders. I think they're all good. I, I mean they're, they're all really solid good choices.

[11:03] Robert Bannon: Oh goodness, I'm being looked at. Am I giving my opinion?

[11:06] Robert Bannon: I loved it, I thought the, I, this is what I said about The Outsiders. I loved it, but I don't want to see it again. It was very hard for me to sit through. You know, as a fifth grade teacher, I live a lot of like in an urban city in an inner city. I live a lot of kids who are neglected and have parents that don't care. And I watched it and I was like, ooh, this is so good and so well done, but it was very tough.

[11:27] Robert Bannon: Hold on my heartstrings. And I can't wait to see Hell's Kitchen. And I loved The Notebook. I cried my little face out. And I didn't see SUFS yet. But I will see it.

[11:37] Eila Mell: You should.

[11:38] Robert Bannon: Absolutely.

[11:39] Robert Bannon: All right. Well, I, I, I'm excited. This is a, this isn't a moment. And Water for Elephants we didn't mention, but it came out with a critic's pick, and um, I, the, it's great. The theater world was a gah. I mean the critic's picks this year, all the reviews this year. I don't know if y'all follow the Twitter discourse of musical theater. Nothing's more entertaining, frankly, on the planet. But like what are critics' picks and what aren't are fascinating this season.

[12:07] Eila Mell: Fascinating. So you don't think Here Lies Love or the older shows get sneak in and they're gonna remember. I loved I saw Here Lies Love twice, and I think like maybe it gets a set design nomination and possibly Ariel, because my God, she was singing. And maybe Conrad, but what's running is like what needs help, you know, and the Tony is the boost for that. So I think it could get a nomination. I think it could get a nom. And I think it should.

[12:34] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[12:34] Jason Coombs: Yeah.

[12:35] Eila Mell: And I think it was criminal that it closed as quickly as it did.

[12:39] Robbie Rozelle: Absolutely. They can get an honorary Tony for the most amount of Home Depot plywood purchases. They rechanged that entire theater.

[12:48] Eila Mell: It's insane.

[12:49] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[12:50] Eila Mell: Insane. All right. Best play. There's some plays out here. You know, I think plays sometimes don't get musicals are a lot of it where it's at on Broadway. We think of musicals, but there are some amazing plays that it's the season of the play.

[13:02] Jason Coombs: Yeah, really.

[13:03] Eila Mell: It really is. And when we look at this list, you we wrote about Great Greyhouse, but The Cottage and Ja J over at MTC and I Need That with you know Danny DeVito to Appropriate to Patriots opening on Monday to Mother Play and Stereophonic Mary Jane with you know there's stars and original work and plays. So is there a play? We'll reverse the order. Was there a play that you saw that you loved?

[13:28] Robbie Rozelle: Well, I yes, I loved a lot of the plays on this list, but I think the one that's going to get the most nominations is Stereophonic.

[13:38] Eila Mell: That's got the buzz.

[13:40] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah, same a full, full same. It's fantastic. I also think it'll get a score nomination. Um, especially which is weird in a season with 27 new musicals. But the like the songs that have been written for the show are so good. And um I produce musical cast recordings and things like that. So like that was a very lived life that I got to watch in real time. Uh it is really excellent. I think it's the best play of the year. Everyone's saying it. It's it's that's the front runner, right? Everyone's everyone's called it, so I'm falling in line.

[14:17] Eila Mell: While I agree.

[14:18] Jason Coombs: Yes.

[14:19] Eila Mell: I do think Appropriate don't sleep on Appropriate. That's a revival.

[14:24] Robbie Rozelle: Well oh well I'm embarrassed it's in the best plays in Mike Bannon. That's my that's my notes. It was like the other day when we were at the heart of rock and roll and I thanked someone for being associate choreographer and they were not the associate choreographer.

[14:38] Jason Coombs: Well I left my sheet downstairs anyway I'm peeking at just Stereophonic this week uh you can listen to uh uh my opening night commentary with assist by the Alan Seales uh we were at the and it was a rock and roll party it started at like 11 o'clock at night it was all the way downtown it was way too cool for me and they were fascinating what great artists that and artistry on that stage uh I I think it's got it. I if you can see if you you everyone tells me three hours is gonna fly by in the theater. Three plus it's like three twenty it's long but it's flies. I couldn't even watch Oppenheimer it's too long. I fall asleep.

[15:18] Eila Mell: So okay I hear you well well now that we'll talk about the revivals.

[15:21] Jason Coombs: Yeah.

[15:22] Eila Mell: Do you like revivals out here? Do we have fun revivals out here? There's one big revival like a block from where we're sitting right now which is uh which is Merrily Merrily Spamalot Tommy The Whiz Cabaret Gutenberg is uh considered a revival.

[15:36] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah I like for me it's Cabaret I saw the London production I'm seeing the Broadway one on Wednesday but it's spectacular and uh what such a uh different take on the material that it's so fresh and but still uh so um insightful to what the material is it's for me the best revival this season I got it yeah you're welcome.

[15:38] Jason Coombs: I haven't seen Cabaret I need to someone wants to take me as their their plus one I'm free this week it's a steep ticket price you know what I mean yeah uh but come on Marilee I know Mary was like a front runner for a while and now that I've worried like jumped in it's you know but I'm I'm still team Marrily I'm on that train Team Marilee it was so well done all cross the board I walked out of there with no notes really none shout out Crystal Joy Brown love her none you know why uh as an artist watching that show with those performances it just was so moving and so great I thought everything was 10 out of 10 for me for Marrily don't sleep on Marrily he said really no no no notes zero notes shade of it all right what about you do you have a fave?

[15:38] Eila Mell: I think it's gonna be Marrily uh it's just it's the first successful production of a show that so many people love so much there's so much love for Steven Sondheim and the end of that show that it's so beautiful.

[15:38] Robbie Rozelle: That is beautiful yeah yeah yeah but do you think that there's weird to say in the Museum of Broadway uh Steve Fatigue because uh like the revivals of his shows have been winning year after year.

[17:25] Eila Mell: Yeah and then last year I don't think so I don't think this year I think it's gonna get it.

[17:31] Eila Mell: Yeah, I agree.

[17:33] Robbie Rozelle: Okay.

[17:33] Eila Mell: But I have to add that I am excited about The Whiz too.

[17:36] Robbie Rozelle: Oh yeah.

[17:37] Eila Mell: I love The Whiz.

[17:41] Robbie Rozelle: Oh.

[17:39] Eila Mell: I mean, I love the idea of The Whiz.

[17:43] Robbie Rozelle: It's the first revival of it.

[17:45] Eila Mell: It's the first one.

[17:46] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[17:47] Eila Mell: There was like one in the 80s, but it was like Stephanie Mills' back.

[17:50] Robbie Rozelle: Yes, it was kind of the same.

[17:51] Eila Mell: Yeah. I mean, well, I'm gonna keep my snarky opinion to myself.

[17:56] Robbie Rozelle: But no, why would you?

[17:57] Eila Mell: This is your point.

[17:58] Robbie Rozelle: I just wish The Whiz got the money like the touring houses that come to Broadway with a touring show. Like, if you see videos of Shrek the Tourer that looks like my fifth grade production musical, I just think that, you know, The Wiz is doing a million and a half dollars on Broadway every week. It's selling out and breaking records in the West Coast. I just wish they would have given it a little bit more money and pizzazz and gave it a little bit more polished up for a revival of a show that's beloved and put it on here on Broadway in the gigantic theater, and and you know, give it a give it a little bit more. The performances are bananas. I just want them to be supported by the look of the show.

[18:34] Eila Mell: Right, because you look at the money that went into Marrily, the money that went into Cabaret, it's a lot of money.

[18:39] Robbie Rozelle: Cabaret follow-up for most plywood purchased for a musical.

[18:43] Eila Mell: And you know, I would Marrily's great. I wanted to do this whole panel backwards and go backwards in time and start at the end and to be end in the beginning.

[18:52] Jason Coombs: You did.

[18:52] Eila Mell: Because you started with Best Musical, and that would be the last award of the night.

[18:57] Jason Coombs: Well, revival of a play that seems Pearly seems like a long time ago.

[19:01] Eila Mell: But it was so good.

[19:03] Jason Coombs: It was really good. Pearly and doubt, and I mean the people in Uncle Vanya, and and and Appropriate is a revival.

[19:09] Eila Mell: It is a revival.

[19:10] Jason Coombs: It's so good, bro.

[19:11] Eila Mell: It's so amazing. Sarah Paulson could read this backdrop and win a Tony Award.

[19:16] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[19:16] Eila Mell: And the backdrop just says Museum of Broadway over and over again, and she would win.

[19:20] Jason Coombs: She'll find different ways of bringing it to life.

[19:22] Eila Mell: That's alright.

[19:23] Robbie Rozelle: Literally.

[19:24] Eila Mell: Like the tree, Inappropriate, also gorgeous.

[19:26] Robbie Rozelle: Oh.

[19:27] Eila Mell: Third runner-up for most amount of plywood.

[19:31] Jason Coombs: What are you comes and threes?

[19:32] Eila Mell: What are you doing?

[19:33] Robbie Rozelle: I think it is going to be Appropriate. But I also love Pearly Victorious. So I'm kind of torn, but I think it'll be Appropriate.

[19:41] Jason Coombs: Robbie, what's my question for you because you are a Tony expert. Uncle Vanya's a new translation by Heidi Shrek. If it wins, does she win a Tony?

[19:49] Robbie Rozelle: I think she does. Kind of like when a revival, I guess, like a revival of a musical or revival of a play wins and it's never been on Broadway.

[19:58] Eila Mell: Right.

[19:58] Robbie Rozelle: Got it. Um Listen, I'm just asking the question and taking in the information.

[20:05] Eila Mell: Listen, I said Appropriate for Best New Play. So I already are.

[20:10] Jason Coombs: Absolutely.

[20:11] Eila Mell: I don't even know how I booked this.

[20:14] Robbie Rozelle: I don't know.

[20:16] Eila Mell: Recency bias, honestly.

[20:18] Jason Coombs: So you're Appropriate is Sam's pick.

[20:20] Eila Mell: I don't know.

[20:21] Jason Coombs: I'll go last.

[20:22] Eila Mell: Jason, what's your pick?

[20:23] Jason Coombs: I know I know. I'm gonna go with Pearly.

[20:25] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[20:26] Jason Coombs: I think significance of Pearly.

[20:29] Eila Mell: I think it's a little bit.

[20:33] Jason Coombs: Cara doing her Carol Burnett best up there.

[20:35] Eila Mell: It was perfect.

[20:37] Jason Coombs: Truly, it was a Carol Burnett performance, and it is it should win the every award.

[20:42] Eila Mell: She is such a star.

[20:43] Jason Coombs: Star.

[20:44] Eila Mell: Sam, do you I I loved Appropriate. So I'm gonna say my front runner's Appropriate, but I don't, I don't want to say.

[20:52] Jason Coombs: I want to say we should not sleep on An Enemy of the People.

[20:55] Eila Mell: No, I think these are acting.

[20:56] Jason Coombs: Did you just laugh at me?

[20:58] Eila Mell: No, it's it's the you should not sleep on.

[21:01] Jason Coombs: Okay.

[21:01] Eila Mell: It's uh making sure these are just acting. You can get Appropriate and Pearly and and you look at Doubt, which or or you know, these are pieces that are serious. They're acting up there.

[21:13] Jason Coombs: And we're having just stars come to Broadway.

[21:18] Eila Mell: Right. Do you like that? Do you like star casting everyone?

[21:23] Robbie Rozelle: I I am gonna say sometimes. I think that for an actor with their equity card, an actor who like does not sing, it is a little discouraging. It's like where's the space for us?

[21:34] Eila Mell: Right.

[21:35] Robbie Rozelle: If all the if Jeremy Strong is coming on Broadway and Jessica Lang, which by the way, I can't wait to see Mother Play on Thursday Hello by What a Star. It's like amazing as a theater goer to see these performances so close.

[21:47] Eila Mell: Like I'll never forget seeing Sally Field in Glass Menagerie.

[21:51] Robbie Rozelle: Thank you.

[21:52] Eila Mell: Like so close to her, and I was like, this is amazing. But at the same time, it's like sometimes I think we lose a little of like the the theater of it all.

[22:00] Robbie Rozelle: Right.

[22:00] Eila Mell: When we're like, is that uh fucking what's his name? Roy? What's what's his name in the show?

[22:08] Jason Coombs: Uh yes, sure.

[22:09] Eila Mell: Whatever. You know, Jeremy Strong and in Succession, you know, takes you out of it a little when these people are like so well known for like their hit TV show.

[22:18] Robbie Rozelle: Right.

[22:19] Eila Mell: So I don't know my answer to that. I think they're also keeping those shows running and giving so many actors words. Like I mean the people has a huge cast.

[22:28] Jason Coombs: Huge.

[22:28] Eila Mell: Yeah. So I mean but like three of them are stars.

[22:33] Robbie Rozelle: Sure.

[22:34] Jason Coombs: Do you like it?

[22:36] Eila Mell: I I see what I see what they're saying. It's like you're bringing those people, those people bring people in. Those stars bring people in, and you want to fill these theaters, right? To keep the shows going and populated. It's also a little bit challenging, but I think it's it's a it's a reason that's uh rooted in uh importance, I think.

[22:54] Eila Mell: Hila, what do you think?

[22:55] Eila Mell: Well, I I appreciate it when it's I love by the way. I love I'm sorry. I said it three different ways because I'm so insecure about saying that.

[22:58] Robbie Rozelle: I'm sorry.

[23:04] Eila Mell: But everybody I have an alias when I go to Starbucks because no one knows how to say it.

[23:08] Jason Coombs: What is your Starbucks name?

[23:09] Eila Mell: It's Jack.

[23:10] Robbie Rozelle: Sure.

[23:11] Eila Mell: Can we call you Jack for the rest of the panel?

[23:13] Eila Mell: Okay. But I do, you know, I appreciate it for the reasons that Jason said, because it does bring people to the theater and it brings a new audience in. So if the people are good actors, then I think that it's fine.

[23:29] Robbie Rozelle: What I don't like is when they come to something like maybe a Chicago where they don't really have the goods and they just stick people in who can't really always do the job answer.

[23:40] Eila Mell: That's a fun, secretly shady answer, and I'm here for it.

[23:43] Robbie Rozelle: I mean Starcasting versus stunt casting, really.

[23:46] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[23:46] Robbie Rozelle: Stunt stunt to sell tickets, but not they don't have the goods to back it up.

[23:51] Eila Mell: But then star casting, like Jink Monsoon in Chicago, who is a star who is uh can do the the job, right?

[24:00] Robbie Rozelle: And do it well.

[24:01] Eila Mell: As opposed to Melanie Griffith.

[24:03] Robbie Rozelle: Oh, the purple non-threat that I did see.

[24:05] Robert Bannon: But you know, uh what I what frustrates me, like I think what Sam is saying is that yes, like Broadway used to make stars, and now it seems like stars make Broadway, but this is another topic of the podcast. But you know, it's expensive, so people don't want to take a risk to see they want to see somebody they know, they want to spend their money to see somebody that they watch on television and film, and it's kind of vetted by the business as opposed to the unknowns that are doing something, and how hard it must be to be a producer to get a show up in a Broadway house that doesn't have a star attached to it and get the word out that this is something to see. Is is a real conversation on Broadway.

[24:37] Eila Mell: I mean, when you think about it though, Subs does not have a name in the show. Like it's got a name within the 10 blocks that we all work in, right? But uh like Jen Kalella is the biggest name in the show.

[24:50] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[24:51] Eila Mell: And people like the average person does not know her.

[24:54] Robbie Rozelle: Yes, but they're throwing Hillary Clinton and Melissa McCarthy all over all that press attached to it.

[24:59] Eila Mell: I see what you're saying, but there's still stars attached to it that are like, oh my god, if Melissa McCarthy is a producing this, is she? Or is she just on the card?

[25:06] Robbie Rozelle: She is, right?

[25:07] Eila Mell: She might be on the on Claire. I know Hillary is a producer.

[25:12] Robbie Rozelle: But also that makes wild sense.

[25:14] Eila Mell: Totally. Yeah. Hillary and and Malala Malaya, who also uses the name Jack at Starbucks.

[25:20] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[25:20] Eila Mell: And all of the um latte. Can we talk about best actress in a musical? Is there, you know, there's a lot of great actresses out here who are singing and dancing their faces off. Is there someone that really stood out to you this season?

[25:34] Robbie Rozelle: Kelly O'Hara.

[25:36] Eila Mell: Kelly O'Hara. Yep. The legend that she is. I think it's her year. I think she's great. Like, and this was written for her. I think she's a strong, strong contender.

[25:48] Robbie Rozelle: Um I personally would love it if Ariel Jacobs snuck in somehow. And Gail Rankin is also fantastic and somebody who's sort of worked her way up from the ensemble to like star, and that's thrilling to see.

[26:03] Eila Mell: Yeah, I gotta go Kelly O'Hara. I did I was not a big fan of Days of Wine and Roses, of the show in general.

[26:09] Robbie Rozelle: So weird.

[26:09] Eila Mell: I thought it would have I thought it would have been a better play. But oh yeah, yes. Their performances were incredible. I was so happy that I got to see that live. That's something I will never forget. Their performances were impactful on me. Uh so I think, come on, Kelly O'Hara. Come through. It's your time.

[26:28] Robbie Rozelle: I mean, yes, I'm here for the Kelly train as well. Slash, because they're putting Marianne in leading. I mean, it is a master class watching that performance. Holy shit.

[26:40] Eila Mell: So I'm stuck between those two. My favorite thing about her performance, and I when I when I talked to her on the red carpet and I talked to Dorian Harewood, is that the acting they do when they're not even on in the sense they are acting for two and a half hours throughout that whole piece. It's really something she's stunning.

[26:57] Robbie Rozelle: Honestly, like if I were a voter, that's who I would vote for is Marianne Plunkett. Also, when she appears as Mona from Um Who's the Boss in the Act Two for a second. It's um like that wake change set me. I was so happy.

[27:14] Eila Mell: But she is glorious. She, yes, she is glorious. And the backbone of the show. I don't know that the show works as well without her.

[27:22] Robbie Rozelle: No, she's she's amazing. She's stunning. Jason, do you have a favorite actor in a musical?

[27:27] Jason Coombs: Can I just say one quick thing?

[27:29] Robbie Rozelle: You can say whatever you want.

[27:30] Jason Coombs: I just want to give a quick because I'm on I'm on the Hell's Kitchen High still.

[27:33] Robbie Rozelle: Yes.

[27:33] Jason Coombs: Malia Joy Moon is gonna be a star, y'all. She's she is gonna be a star. And I hope she gets a nomination at least because her performance was incredible. She's so young. It's her first role on Broadway. Like, she's a she's gonna be a star. Calling it here now.

[27:50] Robert Bannon: Well, we have we we love to talk our nonsense. So we're gonna fly through these real quick down a row and give us your faves because we have five minutes. Oh Best Actor, Leslie Odom Jr.

[27:59] Robbie Rozelle: Leslie Odam Jr.

[28:00] Robert Bannon: Sam, what do you think?

[28:02] Samantha Tuozzolo: Um, um, come back to me, please. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

[28:05] Robert Bannon: Actor in a player musical. What are we doing?

[28:07] Samantha Tuozzolo: Musical.

[28:08] Robert Bannon: Oh, musical shit. Don't lie to me. Uh actually, I think it's Jonathan Groff's year because he's never won.

[28:10] Eila Mell: Yeah, I agree.

[28:10] Robbie Rozelle: I think it's Jonathan Groff.

[28:16] Jason Coombs: Groff, Grof, Groff.

[28:17] Robbie Rozelle: Or it could be Darcy.

[28:19] Jason Coombs: Groff sauce.

[28:20] Robbie Rozelle: I wouldn't mind. Darcy's number one either. And Chip Zion is great.

[28:24] Eila Mell: Absolutely. I I agree totally. And um, let's keep it moving. We're gonna go to actor in a play.

[28:31] Jason Coombs: What Jason said, Leslie.

[28:32] Robbie Rozelle: Leslie.

[28:32] Eila Mell: I'm right there with you. It's Leslie Obbin Jr.

[28:35] Jason Coombs: Yeah, agree.

[28:36] Robbie Rozelle: Same.

[28:36] Eila Mell: Wow. They all think it's Leslie. Well, now I have to see. Now we have the pressure of the time, so I have no time for opinions. It's like Rozelle's. They're all just falling in love. We've got the controversy. What about actress actress in a play?

[28:50] Samantha Tuozzolo: Sarah Paulson.

[28:52] Eila Mell: So easy.

[28:52] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[28:53] Jason Coombs: Yeah, Sarah Paulson.

[28:54] Eila Mell: I can't really say with confidence yet, but don't sleep on Jessica Lang.

[28:59] Jason Coombs: I can give a follow-up to you after Thursday night.

[29:01] Eila Mell: Okay. I want it.

[29:03] Jason Coombs: Yeah.

[29:04] Eila Mell: I'm going to jump on the Sam train. Sarah or Jessica Lang. I think then that just shows you that Ryan Murphy just hires them because they're good, because they're both like that's insane.

[29:14] Jason Coombs: I think that it's going to be an interesting year. I think there's amazing work. I think people need to support art and theater. It doesn't have to be Broadway or Off Broadway. Wherever you live, there is a community theater, there's a regional theater, there's a storehouse, and you can buy the Tony Award book. You can see Robbie Rozelle at 54 Below this May. Shows called Contractually Obligated. Because I am. And you can listen to the Survival Job podcast and find out your favorite Broadway stars and what they do and what their jobs were. And I'm so grateful for the people that came here and hang out with us today.

[29:46] Robert Bannon: Thank you to the team here at Broadway Podcast Network and the Museum of Broadway. The Tony Awards are coming to you June 12th. Make sure you check it out. We may have to bring you all back on and do a saucy, snarky recap of what ended up the nomination. Because can I just say one thing? Supporting actress in a musical is a stacked category. We didn't get to it. So we definitely do need to follow up. We should continue this time. Oh, they're giving us time. Supporting actress in a musical. I want to know supporting actor and actress in a musical. Please.

[30:16] Jason Coombs: I vote Daniel Radcliffe. 100%.

[30:19] Robbie Rozelle: It's never been nominated.

[30:20] Jason Coombs: Everyone says Daniel Radcliffe?

[30:21] Eila Mell: Yeah, Radcliffe.

[30:22] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[30:22] Jason Coombs: Never been nominated in his time.

[30:24] Robert Bannon: Jason, do you like Daniel Radcliffe?

[30:26] Jason Coombs: I'm gonna go with Daniel Radcliffe, yeah. Or I would, and I would love if Conrad got a nomination.

[30:30] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah, that'd be nice.

[30:31] Eila Mell: Yes.

[30:32] Jason Coombs: I would love for him to get a nomination, but at least.

[30:35] Eila Mell: I think he will.

[30:35] Jason Coombs: It's Dan.

[30:36] Eila Mell: I think he will too.

[30:37] Jason Coombs: Yeah. And what about best supporting actress?

[30:40] Eila Mell: Oh boy. Well, so this is just because I love it. I don't think it's gonna happen, but I'd love to see Crystal Joy Brown win. I love her.

[30:47] Robbie Rozelle: Coach Crystal.

[30:49] Eila Mell: Same.

[30:50] Jason Coombs: Same.

[30:51] Eila Mell: Keisha Lewis. It's so great.

[30:52] Robbie Rozelle: What did you say?

[30:53] Eila Mell: Tisha Lewis.

[30:55] Jason Coombs: Who is the piano teacher, the piano teacher in Hell's Kitchen is so good.

[30:59] Eila Mell: Oh she's incredible, y'all. Like Hell's Kitchen. I'm on that train. It's it's a big thing.

[31:04] Robbie Rozelle: No one says BB.

[31:05] Eila Mell: No one said B B.

[31:06] Jason Coombs: B could because of the ties to Candor and Ebb and the nostalgia factor of it.

[31:12] Eila Mell: That is very possible.

[31:15] Jason Coombs: I think it's going to be Lindsay, though.

[31:17] Eila Mell: Lindsay Mendez.

[31:18] Jason Coombs: Do you?

[31:18] Eila Mell: Yeah. I do think Marilee might do a big sweep.

[31:21] Jason Coombs: Oh, that's always possible, isn't it? I think it's gonna be the three of them. Well, uh, that's gonna be But I still am here to say that Lindsay should be in leading.

[31:31] Eila Mell: Yeah, I think that's a good idea. That is a leading part. That is not a that is the only female part, like the biggest female part. It should be in leading. So then Crystal and Katie have it have a shot in supporting. That's just the politics of these are is fascinating about who goes in what category. And if you if you want to know more information about the categories, then you gotta buy the Tony Award book.

[31:50] Robbie Rozelle: What that book.

[31:51] Eila Mell: Yeah. I know that what's gotta get the book. What's it called?

[31:55] Jason Coombs: The Tony Awards.

[31:56] Eila Mell: The Tony Awards.

[31:57] Jason Coombs: The Tony Awards.

[31:58] Eila Mell: I missed that intro, I guess. The gay fantasia on National. We can spend the hours talking about best score, best director, best choreographer, and all of that. We may have to do a part two.

[32:13] Robert Bannon: Do you have do you want to do supporting actors in a play?

[32:15] Eila Mell: No, let's talk about it.

[32:18] Robert Bannon: What do you think?

[32:18] Eila Mell: Well, I yeah, I would love to talk about this supporting actors in a play. Carrie Young is brilliant. She's gotta win. I mean, we've all said that. Four times a charm for it would it be third or fourth. I think this would be her fourth nomination. And is it in a row? She's nominated for every Broadway show.

[32:36] Jason Coombs: She was actually in all 127 Broadway shows this season.

[32:40] Robert Bannon: And what about best featured actor or best supporting actor in a play?

[32:44] Eila Mell: Oh this one is tough. It could be one of the guys from Patriots. It could be Corey Stoll.

[32:49] Jason Coombs: Sure.

[32:51] Eila Mell: I don't know. It could be Michael Marioli.

[32:54] Robbie Rozelle: Yeah.

[32:55] Eila Mell: Oh, actually, Willie Brill is excellent in stereophonic. So don't sleep on the city. My favorite though. It's Jim Parsons in Mother's Play.

[33:04] Jason Coombs: My favorite is Billy Eugene Jones.

[33:06] Eila Mell: Oh, he's so good.

[33:07] Jason Coombs: Yeah.

[33:07] Eila Mell: In everything that he does. He deserved a win for Fat Ham. He played both characters. It's so good.

[33:15] Robbie Rozelle: Yes, literally. Oh my goodness. I love fellow theater nerd people with me here today. I love this community of people. Do you think director is going to be controversial? Do you think they'll sneak in female directors? Do you think we'll have to I think it's going to be mostly female directors? And I think it's going to be a few double nominations. Uh Shelly Williams and Michael Grife directed three shows this season.

[33:37] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah.

[33:38] Jason Coombs: So that's that's not controversial.

[33:40] Eila Mell: I just think that's a take.

[33:41] Jason Coombs: Alex Timbers and Alex Timbers.

[33:45] Eila Mell: I can barely get out of bed and talk onto the computer. And meanwhile, like two of his shows opened weeks from each other. It's insane. I had to door dash myself coffee because I couldn't even make it to the Dunkin' Donuts. Never mind direct three shows this season. Shout out to all the theater makers of this season because like that's so much work. And like every human who like touches a probably show and makes it happen. Especially again, there were 9,000 musicals and plays this season. So shout out to every single person who touched one.

[34:14] Eila Mell: Can we talk about you talk to David Corins about his three shows that he designed?

[34:17] Jason Coombs: Yeah, David.

[34:18] Eila Mell: Including Here Lies Love.

[34:19] Jason Coombs: Yeah, David Corins designed and Tommy, whose design is crazy. And they're dancing their faces and rocking out there. They are living on that stage. Great. Well, and we didn't talk anything about the great Gatsby, but I want to shout out that that choreography I thought was incredible.

[34:36] Robbie Rozelle: Please tell me.

[34:37] Eila Mell: Camille Brown and in this season too, multiple shows and Nicole dancing. She did Hill's Kitchen too, right?

[34:43] Jason Coombs: Yeah, yeah.

[34:43] Eila Mell: Wow. So people are dancing and singing. And what's interesting is we give such our hot takes, but there's a fandom for everybody, and people put their their blood, sweat, and tears in years of their life, and I think that we can't always go by what the New York Times says. We have to go see the shows and make our own opinions.

[35:01] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. Yeah, and I know we did this panel, it's so fun to like give our predictions, but like people are exactly what you said, putting themselves out there. Like enough of the meanness. Like, we can all have opinions on our our preferences, but things are getting really mean, and it's art. So shut up and just go buy a ticket and enjoy the people.

[35:29] Eila Mell: Or before the panel starts.

[35:30] Robert Bannon: That's what it's all about. Catch me at classhouse.

[35:33] Eila Mell: Hey, that's right.

[35:34] Robert Bannon: The real show is in the green room. Thank you all for being here with us today. You could listen to the round table on the Broadway podcast network. You can follow us at the round table with Robert Bannon. Make sure you listen to BPN wherever you uh listen to your podcast. And thank you all so much for being here. It's an honor to chat with you all.