Broadway battles for Tony Awards with boozy parties and celebs

The claws and fangs and Schmigs were out this week as the race to the Tony Awards heated up.

That’s because the so called road voters were in town for the Spring Road Conference, the annual theater convention where Broadway shows hawk their wares to presenters from around in the country in hopes they book their tours.

But the event’s more sinister purpose is to gain an advantage at the Tony Awards, which are just two weeks away. The visitors from Chicago, Cleveland and Dallas make up roughly 10% of all Tony voters.

In a season without an obvious Best Musical frontrunner, an obvious underdog or, well, an obvious hit, that slice of the pie could make a difference.

“I think whoever wins gets about 28% of the vote,” one voter said.

So, naturally the nominated musical revival “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” thought it would be a nice and hospitable idea to treat the out-of-towners to lunch at three-Michelin-starred Le Bernadin — one of the world’s best restaurants — where they noshed on salmon in sauce vin jaune alongside Best Featured Actor nominee Andre de Shields. Now that’s what I call a fancy feast.

There was an interesting rule change this year, though. In the past, the show’s individual bashes were huge, official affairs, like when Alicia Keys performed a concert at Gotham Hall to boost “Hell’s Kitchen.” That’s over.

Instead, shows threw smaller off-schedule, unsanctioned fetes for the most influential members of the group.

I stopped by a few. One producer let off steam about a pan I gave a show of his four years ago, and a general manager physically recoiled when they met me. Life of the party!

The high-flying vampire spectacle “The Lost Boys,” which is in a tight two-man race for Best Musical against the comedy “Schmigadoon,” had post-show cocktails at the bar at Tempo by Hilton. 

One of the musical’s famous producers, Patrick Wilson (who I’m told will soon be crooning “Edelweiss”), stayed until last call, and director Michael Arden gave a speech about his impactful memories of seeing theater while growing up in Texas.

Its rival “Schmigadoon,” based on the canceled Apple TV show, took over the beer spot Yard House.

“Titanique” stars Frankie Grande, Constantine Rousouli and Layton Williams held court in the Laurie Beechman Theatre below the West Bank Cafe, and drag queen Marcia Marcia Marcia did a hysterical Celine Dion act.

And little “Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)” had a more influencer-centric album release party at the karaoke bar RPM Underground, where its nominated stars Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts charmed attendees. I particularly enjoyed when producer Kevin McCollum apologized onstage for being the only person there in a suit. 

Talking to voters, I got the sense that the Best Musical race is currently between “Schmigadoon” and “The Lost Boys.” Fellow nominees “Titanique” and “Two Strangers” simply aren’t in it.

Smart insiders made the case to me that either of the top two contenders could take the Tony on June 7. Voters miss scale and ambition, some said of “Boys,” while others argued that “Schmig” is a solid example of something people like and are familiar with.  

But I heard a few more mentions of “Schmigadoon.” Its fans could be often heard saying “a love letter to Broadway,” which is an ancient Greek phrase meaning “closing notice.”

The shows also tried to outdo each other by enlisting celebrities to endorse them. 

Neil Patrick Harris hosted a “Lost Boys” talk at the conference, and next week the show will hold another event with co-producer Stephen Curry.

Bowen Yang moderated a “Titanique” panel with Best Actress nominee Marla Mindelle, Rousouli, Williams and director Tye Blue. 

Best Actor in a Musical nominee from “Ragtime,” the golden voiced Joshua Henry, performed “Make Them Hear You” with his guitar for the road voters. They ate it up.

John Legend led a talk for “Jellicle Ball.”

And “Schmigadoon” went a sweeter route, enlisting the well-liked teen theater reporter Joel Crump for their event.

But will any of this elaborate song and dance matter? 

Maybe. “Jellicle Ball” and “Ragtime” especially are in the tightest race of the night — Best Musical Revival. And the salmon at Le Bernadin is the best you’ll ever have.

But for Best Musical, one voter put it bluntly about this rocky season.

“All of these shows close in six months,” they said.