Stephen Sondheim (‘Merrily We Roll Along’) ties mentor Oscar Hammerstein for most Musical Revival Tony wins
It’s a hit! A palpable hit! “Merrily We Roll Along” cleaned up at the 2024 Tony Awards, winning the coveted Best Revival of a Musical trophy. “Merrily” is now the fifth musical from composer Stephen Sondheim to win this revival category. That ties the record of Oscar Hammerstein II, who has also seen five of his tuners win this race, meaning that the works of these two theater legends have prevailed more than any other writers in this category.
Sondheim and Hammerstein haven’t picked up any actual Tony Awards themselves for these winning revivals. The Best Revival of a Musical Tony, like the other production categories, is awarded to a show’s producers.
Other Sondheim productions that have prevailed in Best Revival of a Musical category are “Into the Woods” (2002), “Assassins” (2004), and “Company” (for both the 2007 and 2022 productions). Additionally, the 1989 production of “Gypsy” starring Tyne Daly, won a combined Best Revival category that saw plays and musicals competing together. Separate categories were not created until the 1994 ceremony.
Hammerstein’s five winning revivals in this category are “Carousel” (1994), “Show Boat” (1995), “The King and I” (1996), “South Pacific” (2008) and “The King and I” once more in 2015.
That these two late writers have become clear good luck charms in this Tony race would surely make them smile. Sondheim was the recipient of intense mentorship at the hands of Hammerstein, who impressed upon him the importance of strong lyrics. Sondheim continued the tradition of mentorship throughout his life, frequently passing on his thoughts and knowledge to other young composers who sought his advice.
Several other composers or lyricists have seen re-stagings of their tuners win Revival of a Musical multiple times. Richard Rodgers has been represented with four victories: “Carousel” (1994), “The King and I” (1996 and 2015), and “South Pacific” (2008). Jerry Herman has three wins: “La Cage aux Folles” (2005 and 2010) and “Hello, Dolly!” (2017). Two Cole Porter musicals have won: “Kiss Me, Kate” (2000) and “Anything Goes” (2011). Ditto a pair of John Kander and Fred Ebb classics: “the still-running “Chicago” (1997) and “Cabaret” (1998). Two book writers both have a pair of victories. Michael Stewart is represented with the wins for “42nd Street” (2001) and “Hello, Dolly!” (2015). John Weidman wrote the scripts for “Assassins” (2004) and “Anything Goes” (2011).