Tony Committee Makes Eligibility Decisions for 2005-2006 Season So Far

The Tony Awards Administrative Committee made the second eligibility decisions of the 2005-2006 season on January 26. The most surprising decisions announced today were that neither Latinologues nor Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, both thought destined for the Special Theatrical Event category, will be eligible for that category. Instead Latinologues will be up for Best Play and Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life will be eligible for Best Musical, which means the creative team and actors affiliated with each production will be eligible for Tony gold.

The Tony Awards Administrative Committee also made many decisions about which actor would be eligible in which category. The typical rule of thumb for acting nominations is above-the-title billing means a person is considered in the leading category, while below-the-title billing equals consideration for awards as a featured performer. Every situation is different and each year producers petition for certain people to be considered in a particular way.

With that in mind, the committee has deemed that In My Life stars Jessica Boevers and Christopher J. Hanke, both billed below the title, will be considered in the Best Actress/Actor in a Musical categories. Jersey Boys' onstage Frankie Valli, John Lloyd Young, will be eligibly in the Best Actor in a Musical category, while the rest of the cast will be considered for featured category. Other performers that were billed below the title but will be considered for lead awards are The Woman in White's Maria Friedman and The Color Purple's LaChanze.

All other decisions were consistent with the opening night credits.

The Tony Awards nominations will be announced on May 16. The awards ceremony will take place at Radio City Music Hall on June 11.