A 2024 Tony Awards lesson for regional theaters nationwide: Be fearless

Now that the Tony Awards have been doled out for the 2023-24 Broadway season, what can we conclude about a theatrical year that alternated between drought and flood?

One obvious point is that if you're looking to develop a winner, an off-Broadway or regional theater is the way to go. For all their economic travails, nonprofits companies simply do it better.

"Stereophonic," which won for best play, began at Playwrights Horizons. "The Outsiders," which won for best musical in a dark horse victory, had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse. "Merrily We Roll Along," which won for best musical revival, transferred from New York Theatre Workshop. And "Appropriate," which won for best play revival, was launched at Broadway's Hayes Theater by Second Stage, a nonprofit with a rich off-Broadway history.

This trend ought to inspire companies across the nation, reminding them that they too can incubate work of the highest level for our most prominent stages. It should also challenge artistic directors to think less earnestly and more