Tony Committee Makes 2nd Batch of 2007-08 Season Eligibility Decisions

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has released its second batch of decisions concerning eligibility of shows opening during the 2007-2008 Broadway season. Typically, actors who are billed above the title are considered in the leading acting categories, while below-the-title performers are featured. However, producers can campaign to go against such billing decisions, or the Tony committee itself can decide shift things around.

Below are highlights of the decisions, by show:

August: Osage County - The 13-member ensemble company is billed together in the program, but Deanna Dunagan as the menacing matriarch and Amy Morton as her eldest daughter have stepped up to the Leading Actress in a Play category.

Cymbeline - Martha Plimpton, who played the title role in this Shakespeare revival, is now eligible in the Leading Actress in a Play category. The rest of the ensemble company are featured.

Cyrano de Bergerac - Despite being billed as one of the revival's three stars alongside Jennifer Garner and Kevin Kline, Daniel Sunjata has been moved down to Featured Actor in a Play consideration.

Grease - Reality TV stars Max Crumm and Laura Osnes have been bumped up to be considered in the categories of Leading Actor and Actress in a Musical for their work as Danny and Sandy.

The Homecoming - All six stars of the Pinter revival are billed above the title, but only two Ian McShane and Eve Best will compete in leading categories this award season.

Is He Dead? - Past Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz has been elevated to the Leading Actor in a Play race for his work in the comedy.

Pygmalion - The George Bernard Shaw revival had four above-the-title stars, but for Tony consideration only Claire Danes and Jefferson Mays will remain in the leading categories. Boyd Gaines and Jay O. Sanders are now up for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

The Ritz - Although she was billed above the title, Rosie Perez will be considered in the category of Featured Actress in a Play. Kevin Chamberlin, however, remains in the leading category.

Rock 'n' Roll - Brian Cox and Rufus Sewell will both be considered in the category of Leading Actor in a Play.

Young Frankenstein - Although all seven principal players are billed together, only Roger Bart in the title role will be eligible in a leading category.

The 2008 Tony Award nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 13, with the ceremony being broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 15.