Should Fans Get a Vote at the Tony Awards?
(Photo: Theo Wargo/GETTY)
by Chris Peterson
Every year, as the Tony Awards approach, theatre fans take to social media to make their predictions, cheer for their favorites, and argue passionately over who deserves to win. There are always surprises, snubs, and victories that spark conversation. And while it’s fun to watch it all unfold, it’s easy to feel like the fans are standing on the outside looking in.
But what if they weren’t?
What if Broadway’s most loyal supporters(the people who buy the tickets, stream the cast albums, wait in rush lines, and spread the word) had a real, tangible voice in the outcome? Not as individuals, but collectively, through a single vote in each Tony Awards category. One vote, based entirely on a fan poll, added alongside the hundreds of professional ballots already being cast.
It’s not a revolutionary idea. It’s not even a significant shift. But it would be a meaningful one.
Right now, there are about 830 Tony voters. These are theatre professionals: actors, directors, designers, producers, and critics, all of whom are required to see every show before voting. It’s a system that rewards craft, and it should remain that way. But the absence of the audience from that process is starting to feel like a missed opportunity.
Imagine this instead: fans vote online in each of the 26 Tony categories in the weeks leading up to the awards. The results are tallied. The top vote-getter in each category receives one collective vote, representing the voice of the public. That vote is then added to the total pool, just like any other Tony ballot. In a category with 830 professional votes, the fan vote becomes number 831.
It would not drastically alter the outcome(unless it created or broke a tie). But it would send a message that the audience matters.
Broadway already relies on fans. They keep shows running, drive conversation online, and help turn a new musical into a cultural moment. Theatres launch TikTok campaigns and cast recording previews not to impress critics, but to reach the people who will show up and buy a ticket. And yet, when it comes to the Tonys, their voice is nowhere in the room.
Adding a single fan vote to each category would be a smart way to increase engagement and visibility without compromising the integrity of the awards. It’s a small step that could lead to stronger connections between Broadway and its audience.
It also gives fans a reason to tune in. Right now, many viewers watch the Tonys as passive observers. If they knew their vote was part of the outcome, they might be more likely to watch, post, and celebrate the wins. It creates a shared investment in the result, and that shared investment could help grow viewership—something the Tonys could absolutely use.
Of course, it would have to be done carefully. There should be protections against ballot stuffing, and the process would need to be transparent and secure. But the technology exists. This idea simply raises the stakes and makes it count.
Some may argue that this would turn the Tonys into a popularity contest. But Broadway already is one. Box office numbers, social media trends, and fan followings drive success every day. Recognizing that the awards system is not about chasing popularity. It’s about honoring the people who keep the doors open and the lights on.
One vote may not change who wins. But it changes who feels included. It makes the Tony Awards a little more connected to the people who fill the seats night after night. And if we’re serious about growing Broadway’s reach, attracting younger audiences, and keeping live theatre culturally relevant, then giving fans a seat at the table is not just symbolic. It’s smart.
So no, we don’t need to hand over the Tonys to a public vote. We don’t need to abandon expertise or tradition. But we could welcome one more voice into the conversation. One that already loves Broadway deeply, already champions its success, and is ready to celebrate what makes it great.