Few things to note:
McDonagh isn't American, and thus, not eligible for a Pulitzer.
I think that's ultimately what's hurt him in the NY awards circuit. For Broadway-running plays, the Pulitzer is often a fore-bearer for the Tony. In the case of Doubt v Pillowman (and, I agree both are excellent, but I think Pillowman is so brilliantly crafted that it ranks as one of (if not the) favorite modern plays), Shanley won the Pulitzer that season, which also won the Tony. Please note that I'm explicitly discussing plays that are open at the time of the Pulitzer announcement and Tony announcement AND are eligible for both in the same season (with different deadlines/cut-offs).
Interestingly, in 98 (when Art beat Beauty Queen), neither of those playwrights was eligible for the Pulitzer (Reza is French), and the winner was Vogel's off-Bway How I Learned to Drive.
Lastly, I don't think Hangmen has much of a shot at the Tony, given Potter's dominance in the awards its been eligible for to date...
I wonder if/hope that 3 Billboards will help his fame/prestige and lead to more McDonagh productions on Broadway (and elsewhere) in the years ahead. |
