The actual recipients of the Grammy in this category are the composers (if new material), producers, and the "principal soloists."
I thought when the nomination announcement was made that Ben Platt was the only principal soloist for DEH, and it's listed like that in some places online. But I am either misremembering, or it has changed. Following in the footsteps of Hamilton, which had 10 principal soloists, DEH has 8 principal soloists, who are every single member of the 8-person cast. Meanwhile, Hello Dolly had one principal soloist (Midler), and Come from Away had none.
I think this may be an area where the Grammys need to come up with clearer rules. Someone like Oak or Will Roland is no more deserving of being considered a "principal soloist" (and therefore a Grammy nominee/winner) than Jenn Colella. (This comment is of course not a reflection on the actors involved, but on the size and impact of their roles as they pertain to the cast album.) |
