The Broadway Revival of one of the greatest musical of all-time, Ragtime, may have been short-lived, but it is certainly not going unnoticed. Yesterday, the nominations for the Tony Awards (the most prestigious awards in American Theater) were announced. Ragtime was nominated for 7 Tony Awards, coming-in at #5 for the most nominated show. The show was nominated in the top-category of its eligibility, Best Revival of a Musical. The original production of Ragtime opened in 1998 and was the most expensive production ever staged at the time of its run. Although the original show was nominated for a slew of Tonys (including Best Musical), it took home 3 and lost the coveted prize to Disney’s The Lion King. [On a personal note, I actually saw the original Ragtime on Broadway and saw The Lion King the very next day. When the curtain closed on The Lion King, I was scratching my head in complete disbelief.] Ragtime and its revival (which I had the honor to see last Summer @ the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC) are simply put, two of the best shows to ever grace the Great White Way. Let’s hope the Tony Awards Committee realizes its extreme 1998 error and awards Ragtime with Best Revival of a Musical.
Below are Ragtime‘s 7 Tony Award Nominations:
– Best Revival of a Musical, Ragtime
– Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Leading Role: Christiane Noll, Ragtime
– Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Leading Role: Bobby Steggert, Ragtime
– Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Ragtime
– Best Costume Design of a Musical, Ragtime
– Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Donald Holder, Ragtime
– Best Direction of a Musical, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime