John Simon on the Tonys 2003-04

[David]

Q: After reading your reviews, I can’t imagine which of the four Best Musical nominees you’ll give your vote to.

Simon: Now, let’s review that. What are my choices here?

Q: Your choices are Avenue Q; Caroline, or Change; The Boy from Oz; and Wicked.

Simon: I’ll do what I did at the Drama Critics Circle and abstain. There’s nothing I want to vote for on that roster.

Q: Do you believe that there are years when we simply shouldn’t award Tonys in certain categories?

Simon: Oh, very much so. I mean, all awards should always hold open the option of not giving an award. But unfortunately there is a perception that an award must be given and if what’s competing is, let’s say, horse ****, goat ****, pig **** and dog ****, well, one of those ****s has to win no matter what. I think that’s a very poor idea.

--"Talking Tonys with John Simon -- Broadway.com 2004