Absolutely agree.
In fact, I wish they'd give it to the less-likely blockbuster than the obvious one. Lion King didn't need a Best Musical win to have a hit run or tour year after year, but Ragtime did. I'd say the same for Phantom vs ITW, Millie vs Urinetown, Spamalot vs Piazza, Jersey Boys vs Color Purple or Drowsy Chaperone, Crazy for You vs Falsettos and Jelly's Last Jam, and many others.
Those shows very much need the Tony win and marketing use of that to help them have a Broadway run and a tour. Ragtime needed that, Lion King did not. I'm glad in 2004 they didn't give all the awards to the show that didn't need them, and also didn't happen to deserve them comparatively. |
