What the GRAMMY'S Mean for MUSICal Theatre

Tonight is music's biggest night, the Grammy Awards. While that may be, it is by no means even close to the biggest name for musical theatre. That award goes to the Tony's which happen in June. So why does tonight even matter to the theatre community? Well, there is one award given for musical theatre (Best Musical Theatre Album).

It used to be that this award solely went to the producers of the album, meaning not too much actually happened for those involved in the show. But as of last year, principle vocalists now take home Grammys as well. For example, last year Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad also took home statues in addition to the producers of the BOOK OF MORMON cast album.

This gives a much stronger argument for why the Grammys mean anything for musical theatre actors. It is nice to see the mainstream world giving credit to the actors who are featured in Broadway shows, but also who lend their voices and influence the success of cast albums.

Here are the nominees for tonight's broadcast:

Follies

Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters & Ron Raines, principal soloists; Philip Chaffin & Tommy Krasker, producers (Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist)
(New Broadway Cast With Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters, Ron Raines & Others)
Label: PS Classics

The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess

David Alan Grier, Norm Lewis & Audra McDonald, principal soloists; Tommy Krasker, producer (George Gershwin, composer; Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Heyward & DuBose Heyward, lyricists)
(New Broadway Cast With Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier & Others)
Label: PS Classics

Newsies

Jeremy Jordan & Kara Lindsay, principal soloists; Frank Filipetti, Michael Kosarin, Alan Menken & Chris Montan, producers (Alan Menken, composer; Jack Feldman, lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast With Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay & Others)
Label: Ghostlight Records/ Razor & Tie

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Matthew Broderick & Kelli O'Hara, principal soloists; David Chase, Bill Elliott & Robert Sher, producers (George Gershwin, composer; Ira Gershwin, lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast With Matthew Broderick, Kelli O'Hara & Others)
Label: Shout! Factory

Once: A New Musical

Steve Kazee & Cristin Milioti, principal soloists; Steven Epstein & Martin Lowe, producers (Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova, composers/lyricists) (Original Broadway Cast With Steve Kazee, Cristin Milioti & Others)
Label: Masterworks

And my thoughts:

SHOULD WIN: FOLLIES - this is one of my favorite cast albums because it sums up the show so well and features great vocals and production value

WILL WIN: ONCE - it was critically acclaimed and is the most "mainstream" of the albums.

UPDATE: As I predicted, ONCE won the Grammy! Congratulations to all involved!