It Ain't Nothing But the Blues has been nominated for a Tony as best book for a musical. The show moved from a sold out run at Off-Broadway's New Victory Theatre to a Broadway engagement at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center. The production began previews April 22, 1999, and opened on April 26.

The show, produced by NJ's Crossroads Theater after being initially developed at the Denver Theater Center, traces the history of the "Blues" genre from its African roots to contemporary recording artists. The 12 member ensemble performs songs including, "Fever," "Strange Fruit," "My Man Rocks Me," "I Can't Stop Lovin' You," "Someone Else Is Steppin' In (While You Been Steppin' Out)," "Walkin' After Midnight" and "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man."

Blues was written by Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman. Myler helms the cast, including Mississippi Charles Bevel, Gretha Boston (Tony Award winner for Showboat), Carter Calvert, Eloise Laws, Gregory Porter, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman.

Also Tony nominated for Blues: Ron Taylor (Featured Actor) and Gretha Boston (Featured Actress) and book writers Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor and Dan Wheetman.