Tony Awards: Can Aaron Tveit Lose Despite Being the Only Nomination In His Category?
This year’s Tony Awards has one surprising nomination where only one actor has been honored in thier category. Aaron Tveit is the only actor nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The American Theater Wing gave him the nod for his performance in Broadway‘s Moulin Rouge! The Musical where he plays the role of poet Christian.
What is ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ about?
Moulin Rouge! The Musical set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France, during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the 20th century. It tells the story of Moulin Rouge star performer Satine, and an American man, Christian, navigating through a tumultuous love affair. The Moulin Rouge is going bankrupt, and Harold Zeigler, the club’s owner, is willing to do whatever he deems necessary to save his show and the jobs of everyone in the cast.
The show’s official site explains the show in this manner. “Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Pop the champagne and prepare for the spectacular, spectacular,” it reads.
It continues, “Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. A theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom, and — above all — love, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical; it is a state of mind.”
Can Aaron Tveit lose his category despite being the only actor nominated?
Tveit is the only nominee in the category of Best Leading Actor in a Musical.
However, according to Broadway.com, Tveit must still receive at least 60% of those who want to see him win the award.
There is a second option for Tony voters in the same category. They can not vote for Tveit, leaving their vote for no one to take home the Tony statuette.
This will be the first time a Tony Awards acting category has had just one nominee. It’s also the first nomination for Tveit.
Tveit responds to his nomination
Tveit celebrated his nomination in a statement to USA Today.
“It’s a huge honor, and I am so grateful to be nominated!” the actor, known to television fans as Danny Zuko in Grease Live! said.
“It’s also vitally important to highlight that this recognition represents, collectively, thousands of hours of work by hundreds of individuals working on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. All the brilliant craftspeople, technicians, stagehands, and crew that run our show night to night, those in the front and back of the house, inside and outside our stage doors, our incredible audience and fans, and of course the cast, creative team, and producers.”
Audra McDonald and Leslie Odom Jr. host this year’s Tony Awards ceremony.
McDonald helms the live broadcast of the 74th Annual Tony Awards at 7 p.m. EST on Paramount+. Odom Jr. serves as host for The Tony Awards Present Broadway’s Back!, the live concert event celebrating Broadway’s return at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.
