Broadway News has confirmed that “Just for Us,” a solo play written by and starring Alex Edelman which played Broadway in 2023, will not be eligible in competitive Tony Awards categories. According to a representative for the production, the play’s producers opted out of eligibility. While the nominating committee and voters were not invited to attend, the Tony Awards administration committee was.
No Broadway production is required to submit itself for Tony eligibility. In 2018, producers of “Springsteen on Broadway” did not opt into competitive Tony consideration, but the Tonys administration committee did attend and decided to honor the production with a Special Tony Award.
Oftentimes, limited Broadway engagements will opt out of competitive Tony eligibility to avoid offering free tickets to the hundreds of voters, which could make it more challenging for a production to recoup its investment. In 2017, the Jake Gyllenhaal- and Annaleigh Ashford-led revival of “Sunday in the Park with George,” a 10-week limited run which was the inaugural production at the newly refurbished Hudson Theatre, also chose not to submit itself for Tony consideration. The revival recouped its full investment. That said, “Just for Us” has not announced a recoupment.
Written and performed by Edelman, “Just for Us” features the comedian recounting his real-life experience when, after having become the target of online anti-Semitism, he decides to go straight to the source and attend a meeting of white nationalists in Queens. The play began previews on June 22, 2023, and opened on June 26 at the Hudson Theatre. The solo piece, directed by the late Adam Brace, played a limited engagement through August 19. The production appeared on a national tour from October 2023 through March 2024. A live capture of the Broadway mounting was released on HBO on April 6.
“Just for Us” was produced on Broadway by Jenny Gersten, Rachel Sussman, Seaview and Mike Birbiglia.
As previously announced, the 77th annual Tony Awards will take place on June 16 at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; Ariana DeBose will serve as host. Nominations will be announced on April 30.
The Tony Awards are presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
Andy Lefkowitz contributed reporting to this story.
