George - That's the first time I've seen the words "Carol Channing" and "drag" in the same paragraph and having nothing to do with each other.
Jen and others - The Tonys are for Broadway shows only (although that should be changed to include off-Broadway, but where do you draw the line between off and off-off)? Therefore since ASSASSINS has never played Broadway and never been able to compete for a Tony it should be Tony eligible. Of course using that criteria, so should LITTLE SHOP. That's why I have no idea what the committee will say and one reason the Tonys are something of a joke. LITTLE SHOP stands a better chance in the revival category, and since it will probably tour (and one unstated purpose of the Tonys is to sell tours) that is why it is considered a revival. ASSASSINS has already played all over, so that would not be a consideration. As I stated in my original post, there are points to support either position, and that is what has piqued my curiosity.
Maya - As I stated, I liked the Lipa WILD PARTY better on stage but prefer the LaChuisa on CD. Neither was perfect, and a better show than either would be a combination of the two. Both shows had great female leads. I hated Mandy's over-the-top performance in the LaChuisa. The Lipa was in a much smaller theatre and had a more intimate feel. Each had great female supporting performances, particularly Alex Korey in the Lipa and Eartha Kitt in the LaChuisa. I was unimpressed by the choreography in both. And both were better than the Raquel Welch/Jimmy Coco movie based very loosely on the same "epic" poem.