broadway by numbers

What Does a Tony Award Do for a Musical’s Lifespan?

Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti in “Once” at the New York Theatre Workshop.

Unsurprisingly, Tony-winning musicals last longer than their non-awarded peers. A new study from statisticians at New York University and Rider University found that productions that win Best Musical, Best Revival, Best Play, Best Director, and/or Best Leading Actor or Actress outrun the Tonyless by 50 percent. Even a nomination — but no win — results in a 30 percent longer lifespan, with a New York Daily News nod often proving more valuable than a New York Times endorsement. With three wins in the above categories, a nod in two others, and a glowing Daily News review, it looks like Once has a long and healthy life ahead of it.

What Does a Tony Do for a Musical’s Lifespan?