Snubs & Surprises in the 2023 Tony Nominations for Musicals

Several big names from the recorded music world received 2023 Tony nominations. Josh Groban received his second best actor (musical) nod for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Sara Bareilles received her first best actress (musical) nod for Into the Woods. Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally received their first Tony nods – best original score (music and/or lyrics) written for the theatre for Shucked.

Several more record veterans were nominated as producers of best musical contenders. Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Shellback and veteran music executive Barry Weiss are among the nominated producers of & Juliet. Mariah Carey is among the nominated producers of Some Like It Hot. Jason Owen, Gary Gersh and Sony Music Entertainment are among the nominated producers of Shucked.

In addition, Interscope and Immersive Records are among the nominated producers of Parade, which is nominated for best revival of a musical.

John Gore is assured of winning a Tony this year for best musical. He’s nominated as a producer of all five nominated shows – on his own in the case of Kimberly Akimbo and as part of the John Gore Organization on the other four nominees – & Juliet, New York, New York, Shucked and Some Like It Hot.

Three people received two nominations each in musical craft categories. Jennifer Weber is nominated for best choreography for both & Juliet and KPOP. Scott Pask is nominated for best scenic design of a musical for both Shucked and Some Like It Hot. Natasha Katz is nominated for best lighting design of a musical for both Some Like It Hot and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

For the most part, the 2023 Tony nominations went about as expected. All five of the nominees for best musical and all four of the nominees for best revival of a musical were picked by pundits as the likely nominees. But there were also some surprises.

Here are some of the most notable snubs and surprises in the musical categories 2023 Tony nominations.