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7 hugely popular musicals that never won the Best Musical Tony Award

By Cristine Struble

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 12: People walk past the Ambassador Theatre, home to "Chicago the Musical," in Times Square on May 12, 2021 in New York City. "Hamilton", "The Lion King", "Wicked" and "Chicago" announced they would be the first shows to reopen on September 14, 2021, with others following. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced pandemic restrictions to be lifted on May 19. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 12: People walk past the Ambassador Theatre, home to "Chicago the Musical," in Times Square on May 12, 2021 in New York City. "Hamilton", "The Lion King", "Wicked" and "Chicago" announced they would be the first shows to reopen on September 14, 2021, with others following. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced pandemic restrictions to be lifted on May 19. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images) /
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Going to a Broadway musical, whether in New York City or via Broadway Across America, is a theater experience that can leave a lasting impression. While the Best Musical Tony Away often denotes the best and brightest in musical theater, sometimes the American Theater Guild doesn’t always agree with the audience’s choice for the “label” best. A few highly acclaimed, hugely popular musicals never earned that coveted Best Musical Tony Award. Can you name a few?

Sometimes earning the Best Musical Tony Award is more than just a statue for a production. That designation can help a show have a longer run or even tour across the U.S. via Broadway Across America. While many show long for the success of Hamilton or the longevity of Phantom of the Opera, the reality is that some Broadway musicals have their moment in the spotlight yet fade to black more quickly than others.

While that Best Musical Tony Award is often plastered on marquees and printed on the Playbill, the lack of that designation doesn’t mean that a musical cannot be successful. Some hugely popular musicals never earned that Best Musical Tony Award. Can you name a few?

These popular musicals didn’t win the Best Musical Tony Award

Wicked

Sure, the successful production has defied gravity and is hugely popular, but there was no magical spell that earned a Best Musical title for Wicked. The world of Oz lost to Avenue Q. Although Wicked has become a beloved production, those puppets might need a revival soon.

Miss Saigon

Although the helicopter scene might be that huge gasp moment, the adaption of Madame Butterfly never earned its American Theater Award statute. Miss Saigon lost to Will Rogers Follies. Luckily theater lovers still believe that the movie in the mind should go on and on. The revival and touring production continue to be well received.

Grease

Sandy and Danny might have wanted each other, but the Tony Awards didn’t want Grease. Although there have been many beauty school dropouts, the original Grease lost to Two Men from Verona. Then again, that musical didn’t need an award to become one of the most well-known stories in pop culture.

Chicago

From the Bob Fosse dances to the captivating music, Chicago was stuck behind the bars and didn’t earn the Best Musical Tony in 1975. It lost to A Chorus Line. Although, the revival earned many awards, and the current production is always a popular choice.

West Side Story

While many people await the Steven Spielberg adaptation of the iconic musical, West Side Story did not win the Best Musical Tony for its original production in 1958. It lost to The Music Man. While both West Side Story and The Music Man (returning to Broadway with Hugh Jackman in a revival) have become beloved musicals, the impact that West Side Story has had on other musicals is huge. Sometimes that aspect is the biggest award.

Beautiful: The Carole King Story

While everyone knows the songs from the jukebox musical Beautiful: The Carole King Story, it did not earn the Best Musical Tony. Losing to Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder didn’t impact the popularity of this musical. The popular tour had many people feeling the earth move under their feet and joining a friend to sing about that natural woman.

Funny Girl

While many people might assume that Barbara Streisand’s iconic role earned topping billing as 1964’s best musical, it did not. In the battle between the leading ladies, Hello Dolly earned applause and Funny Girl was left in the shadows. While both musicals have become iconic, the revivals of Hello Dolly have brought the classic songs to a new generation of musical fans.

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This list of musicals is just a small sampling of the many popular musicals that didn’t earn the Best Musical Tony Award when they first hit the stage. From Something Rotten to Dreamgirls, the list of non-winners is full. Sometimes the award isn’t as important as how the show resonates with the audience. Fans know what’s popular and they keep going back to hear those sweet notes time and again.

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