New York — The much-anticipated production of “Othello,” featuring acclaimed actors Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, failed to secure any nominations for the upcoming 2025 Tony Awards, despite its strong box office performance. The Shakespearean tragedy has captivated audiences on Broadway, commanding an average ticket price of $374.17 last week, making it one of the highest-grossing shows in recent weeks.

Alongside “Othello,” the musical “Redwood,” starring Idina Menzel, also received no recognition from the Tony nominations. This trend extended to “The Last Five Years,” featuring Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren, and “McNeal,” with Robert Downey Jr. making his Broadway debut. All were left without nominations, raising questions about how popular productions are evaluated compared to critical acclaim.

George Clooney achieved his first Tony Award nomination for his role in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a play he co-wrote; however, it did not secure a nomination for Best Play. The production has garnered significant box office success, dominating sales among Broadway offerings in the weeks leading up to the nominations.

In similar fashion, the revival of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” featuring Bob Odenkirk, was overlooked in the play revival category, although Odenkirk was recognized for his performance. Co-stars Kieran Culkin and Bill Burr, however, did not receive acting nominations, further emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the awards.

While Sarah Snook was nominated for her solo role in “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” the production missed out in the Best Play category despite her previous Olivier Award-winning performance in London. This reflects a disconnect where individual talent shines, but the broader production does not receive accolades.

The Best Play category notably excluded “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” which previously claimed the Olivier Award for Best New Play. Instead, nominees included a selection of original works like “English,” “The Hills of California,” “John Proctor is the Villain,” “Oh, Mary,” and “Purpose,” which tend to be based on fresh narratives rather than adaptations.

Despite being nominated for Best Revival of a Play, “Romeo + Juliet” saw its leading actors, Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor, missing from the individual nominations, sparking discussions about the often-subjective nature of recognition in theatrical performances.

On a more positive note, Gracie Lawrence received her first Tony nomination for her role in “Just In Time,” marking her Broadway musical debut. She portrays the iconic singer Connie Francis, sharing the stage with Jonathan Groff, who also earned a nomination for his role.

James Monroe Iglehart’s portrayal of Louis Armstrong in “A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical” was the show’s sole nomination, despite the production announcing an early closing in February following its November debut.

While the scores for both “Smash” and “The Last Five Years” have gained popularity among audiences, neither was nominated for Best Score this year. The category featured other contenders, including “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Maybe Happy Ending,” “Operation Mincemeat,” and “Real Women Have Curves,” the latter securing two nominations, including one for actress Justina Machado.

As the 2025 Tony Awards approach, the curious mix of recognition and omission has left the theater community eagerly speculating about the criteria that drive the decisions behind the nominations.