In a robust season with 14 new musicals, three tied for the most nominations, with 10 each: “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Death Becomes Her” and “Maybe Happy Ending.” And Audra McDonald, who has already won a record six competitive Tony Awards, set another record: she picked up her 11th nomination for her role in “Gypsy,” making her the most-nominated performer ever.
The nominations were announced at the end of the most robust Broadway season since the pandemic. Box office grosses are approaching prepandemic levels amid a bumper crop of 42 show openings. Several productions have drawn much-desired young audiences, and the season featured a mix of quirky and original shows alongside big-brand spectacle. But the industry faces challenges too: Ticket prices, especially for the hottest shows, have become out-of-reach for many, and fewer shows are turning a profit as the cost of producing has risen.
Four new takes on classic shows were nominated for best musical revival, including “Gypsy,” “Pirates! The Penzance Musical,” “Sunset Boulevard” and “Floyd Collins.” The four nominees for best play revival are “Eureka Day,” “Our Town,” “Romeo + Juliet” and “Yellow Face.”
Daniel Dae Kim made history as the first Asian American ever nominated as best leading actor in a play, for his performance in “Yellow Face,” according to the Asian American Performers Action Coalition. Asian Americans have historically been significantly underrepresented on Broadway, and this season was noteworthy for the relatively high number of Asian American performers, producers and members of creative teams.