‘Suffs’ is 9th show to win Tonys for Book and Score, but not Best Musical

At this year’s Tony Awards “Suffs” managed to win prizes for Best Musical Book and Best Score, both of which went to Shaina Taub. Historically, winning those two accolades in particular would bode well for a show’s chances at Best Musical. Yet in a shocking turn of events, the top award went to “The Outsiders.” But this is not the first time something like this has happened.

In 1978 “On the Twentieth Century” won Tonys for Best Score (Cy Coleman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green) and Best Book (Comden and Green). It also won Best Actor in a Musical (John Cullum), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Kevin Kline), and Best Scenic Design (Robin Wagner). Yet Best Musical that year went to Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr.‘s revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” A tribute to the music of Fats Waller, it also won Tonys for Best Actress in a Musical (Nell Carter) and Best Direction of a Musical (Maltby).

In 1981 “Woman of the Year” won Tonys for Best Book (Peter Stone), Best Score (John Kander and Fred Ebb), Best Actress in a Musical (Lauren Bacall) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Marilyn Cooper). In fact, it only ended up losing two awards: one for Robert Moore‘s direction (he lost to Wilford Leach for “The Pirates of Penzance”), and the other for Best Musical, which went to “42nd Street.” That show only ended up taking home one other award, Best Choreography, which was awarded posthumously to Gower Champion.

In 1988 “Into the Woods” won Best Book (James Lapine), Best Score (Stephen Sondheim) and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason). Yet Best Musical that year went to Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s “The Phantom of the Opera.” The show that went on to become the longest-running production in Broadway history also took home Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Judy Kaye), Best Direction of a Musical (Hal Prince), Best Lighting Design (Andrew Bridge), Best Scenic Design (Maria Björnson) and Best Costume Design (Björnson).

In 1992 “Falsettos” won two Tonys for Best Book (William Finn and James Lapine) and Best Score (Finn). However, Best Musical ended up going to “Crazy for You,” Ken Ludwig‘s reworking of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin‘s 1930 musical, “Girl Crazy.” It also wound up with two other awards: Best Choreography (Susan Stroman) and Best Costume Design (William Ivey Long).

In 1998 “Ragtime” won Best Book (Terrence McNally), Best Score (Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Audra McDonald) and Best Orchestrations (William David Brohn). But when it came to Best Musical, Disney’s “The Lion King” won the night. It also took home Best Direction of a Musical (Julie Taymor), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson) and Best Costume Design (Taymor).

In 1999 “Parade” won Best Book (Alfred Uhry) and Best Score (Jason Robert Brown). But “Fosse,” a revue showcasing the legendary choreography of Bob Fosse, ended up winning Best Musical, Best Orchestrations (Doug Besterman and Ralph Burns) and Best Lighting Design (Andrew Bridge). Luckily, “Parade” came back to Broadway in 2023 and won the Tony for Best Musical Revival.

In 2002 “Urinetown” won Best Direction of a Musical (John Rando), Best Score (Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis), and Best Book (Kotis). Yet Best Musical that year went to “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” That show also took home Best Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Harriet Sansom Harris), Best Choreography (Rob Ashford), Best Orchestrations (Doug Besterman and Ralph Burns) and Best Costume Design (Martin Pakledinaz).

And in 2006 “The Drowsy Chaperone” received Best Book (Bob Martin and Don McKellar), Best Score (Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Beth Leavel), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Gallo) and Best Costume Design of a Musical (Gregg Barnes). However, “Jersey Boys,” Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice‘s jukebox/biomusical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, won the night. It also took home Best Actor in a Musical (John Lloyd Young), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Christian Hoff) and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley).

So while “Suffs” didn’t come away with the top award of the night, it’s still in great company.

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