11.   None of the nominees for best musical are considered a sure thing.

12.   Producers are also likely to ask the American Theater Wing, which administers the awards, to consider the show for either best musical or a special achievement award.

13.   Some people expected it to close if it was not nominated for best musical.

14.   Some say several members of the committee were frustrated by having to nominate four candidates for best musical in a season widely considered weak in that area.

15.   That feeling was evident on Tuesday when the New York Drama Critics Circle opted not to give an award for best musical.

16.   The award was something of a consolation prize, given that the Disney show was not nominated for best musical.

17.   The committee rewards everyone it likes each year, even if that means picking several angry moms and no best musical.

18.   The nominations, however, are just the start of one of the tightest Tony races for best musical in years.

19.   The original production won five Tony awards, including the first ever award for best musical.

20.   The producers say the musical never recovered when the nominators for the Tony Awards declined to nominate it for best musical last season.