It's Tony Time!!!!

Here come the Tony Awards: June 13, CBS, 8pm (Always a nice birthday present)

This season has truly been lackluster, what with two of the best revivals having been closed only a few months after they openend, and I'm not all that into the results but it's worth a gander. I've marked my HOPE for the winner (*) and my prediction for what will win (!) And the Nomiees Are:

BEST MUSICAL
American Idiot
Fela!*
Memphis!
Million Dollar Quartet

BEST PLAY
In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play
Next Fall*
Red! (I haven't seen this yet, but have heard great things.)
Time Stands Still

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Finian's Rainbow
La Cage aux Folles!
A Little Night Music
Ragtime*

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Fences!*
Lend Me a Tenor
The Royal Family
A View From the Bridge

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Everyday Rapture, Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott
Fela!, Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones *
Memphis, Joe DiPietro !
Million Dollar Quartet, Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATER
Note: TWO of these shows are NOT musicals!
The Addams Family, Music and Lyrics: Andrew Lippa
Enron, Music: Adam Cork, Lyrics: Lucy Prebble
Fences, Music: Branford Marsalis
Memphis, Music: David Bryan, Lyrics: Joe DiPietro and David Bryan!*

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Jude Law, Hamlet
Alfred Molina, Red*
Liev Schreiber, A View From the Bridge
Christopher Walken, A Behanding in Spokane
Denzel Washington, Fences!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Viola Davis, Fences
Valerie Harper, Looped*
Linda Lavin, Collected Stories
Laura Linney, Time Stands Still
Jan Maxwell, The Royal Family!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Kelsey Grammer, La Cage aux Folles
Sean Hayes, Promises, Promises
Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles!
Chad Kimball, Memphis
Sahr Ngaujah, Fela!*

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kate Baldwin, Finian's Rainbow
Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture
Montego Glover, Memphis
Christiane Noll, Ragtime*
Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
David Alan Grier, Race
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Fences
Jon Michael Hill, Superior Donuts*
Stephen Kunken, Enron
Eddie Redmayne, Red!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Maria Dizzia, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play
Rosemary Harris, The Royal Family
Jessica Hecht, A View From the Bridge
Scarlett Johansson, A View From the Bridge!
Jan Maxwell, Lend Me a Tenor*

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Kevin Chamberlin, The Addams Family
Robin De Jesus, La Cage aux Folles
Christopher Fitzgerald, Finian's Rainbow
Levi Kreis, Million Dollar Quartet
Bobby Steggert, Ragtime***** (Please: this is the only one I care about!)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Barbara Cook, Sondheim on Sondheim
Katie Finneran, Promises, Promises*
Angela Lansbury, A Little Night Music!
Karine Plantadit, Come Fly Away
Lilias White, Fela!

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Michael Grandage, Red!*
Sheryl Kaller, Next Fall
Kenny Leon, Fences
Gregory Mosher, A View From the Bridge

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Christopher Ashley, Memphis
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime*
Terry Johnson, La Cage aux Folles
Bill T. Jones, Fela!!

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Rob Ashford, Promises, Promises
Bill T. Jones, Fela*
Lynne Page, La Cage aux Folles!
Twyla Tharp, Come Fly Away

I have chosen not to include some of the tech awards for simplicity sake. Let see how many I get.

The Good.

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (off B'way, playing THREE times extended at the Public Theater) This is the best new musical HANDS DOWN of the season! LOOOVED it so much, hope to get back to see it before it closes (Now the end of June) Cannot wait for the CD to be released.

The story is raw, the music is 'emo' (who knew there was such a thing AS Emo music?), the tone is raunchy, the humor is irreverant and I loved every minute of it. OH...and it's based on the life of the 7th President of the US: Andrew Jackson, the populist president.

Benjamin Walker alone (Playing Jackson) is worth the price of admission. Him and his tight pants. (I'm not being fresh, it's from the show.) I don't know how much is accurate and how much is not...but I don't really care. It made me care, it made me laugh, it made me think, it made me smile. I even BOUGHT a book ABOUT Andrew Jackson because I was so intrigued. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTbdBeTU11c&feature=related

Hope you catch this if you can. I'm hoping this makes a transfer to a long running OFF B'way house (New World Stages Anyone?) I think it could make a great run! A what a wild ride it is!


NEXT FALL, I'd heard mostly good things about this straight play about a gay relationship. One of the things I love the most, is that this show decided to be a story and not a "cause". It escaped being an in-your-face propaganda piece about gay issues/rights (of which I am a strong supporter) but gives the audience a story, about a couple, that happens to be gay. Sure, we have issues surrounding it, but in a thoughtful way. Basic premise: at the hospital waiting room, we re-vist the 5-year relationship of Adam and Luke (the latter is now in a coma). Luke is the agressor in the relationship, however, not only does his very Christian family not know that the men live together, they don't even know that he is gay. And they probably would not be accepting.

A well-written script, by Geoffrey Nauffts, Next Fall has been nominate for a Tony Award for Best New Play. I'm not sure if it's THAT good, but the story was fresh and suprisingly funny at times, and the performances were grounded and touching. Kudos.

Lend Me a Tenor, revival -- I was lucky enough to see the original production with (a very young) Victor Garber, Tovah Feldshuh and Phillip Bosco. I loved it, and I still consider this to be my favorite farce.

When news broke that Stanley Tucci (whom I adore) was directing, it came with the thought that Grey's Anatomy's T.R. Knight would star, I was ecstatic. But that was short lived, sadly. The revival cast includes: Justin Bartha (The Hangover, National Treasure), Jan Maxwell (nominate for TWO Tonys this year), Tony Shaloub and Anthony LaPaglia. This has so many pieces that are right, but they just don't seem to actually fit. While I thoroughly disliked Bartha's performance, I though the others were quite good. Both the set and costumes were gorgeous. So what is missing? Timing? Commitment? Pacing? I don't know. I LIKED it. Maybe even liked it a lot. Maybe I was expecting too much...because I wanted to fall in love with it again. (Note: the critics were quite harsh to LMAT.)

Next to Normal (yes, again)-- Not much to say other than no one is calling it in. Still moving. Still rip your heart out amazing.

NEWS FLASH: Brian d'Arcy James is RETURNING to the role of Dan (which he originated off b'way)! It is a limited run, as Brian is re-opening on B'way in the fall with the extention of TIME STANDS STILL. So, they have suckered me into going back in June!

The Mediocore.

New Cast of Hair -- Weeelll.....not as bad as I feared, not as good as I hoped. Three weeks into their run after taking over, they still hadn't found their true ensemble. Kyle Riabko (Claude) was MUCH better than I expected. I knew vocally he could handle it (beautiful voice) but I was concerned about the acting: after the first few moment where I thought I would HATE him, he delivered a Claude that was sensitive, perplexed and caring. We got to chat for a few minutes after the show, and he was as gracious as ever. Ace Young (Berger) didn't fare as well in my eyes, but he was serviceable. He just didn't seem real. I felt he was trying to be Will Swenson trying to be Berger. Sadly, Diana DiGarmo was out the performance we saw, but I heard she is wonderful.

The Burnt Part Boys -- Zzzzzzzz. Why? WHY? It's just not right. An uninspired story, a redundant score (I'm SURE Bluegrass can be more diverse that what is here.), a cheesey ending. However, many talented folks trying their best to make it work.


American Idiot -- I wanted to love this, I really did. And there were things I truly liked, but I cannot be passionate over this, or go so far to reccommend it, and that breaks my heart. Truly.

First, this has made me a fan of Green Day. I get THEM, and I love listening to their music. Michael Mayer pretty much gave birth to this telling of Green Day's American Idiot concept album. They created more to the basic idea, but only added minimal lines of dialogue. Basic story line: three slacker friends run off to the big city only to have their lives continue to spiral toward death. One never makes it because his gf is preggers so he stays home. But he sucks as a partner AND a parent, so she leaves him. He's just as unhappy after she leaves. Buddy number two, makes it to the city but is somehow swept away my the media (???) and joins the army ***SPOILER*** where he loses a leg. He does fall in love with his nurse. We know nothing more. The third gentleman, gets to and stays in the city. He falls in love but falls to the perils of massive drug use. Somehow he sobers up enough to know he needs to straighten up. So he does, wears a tie and gets a job. And is miserable. Bottom line? I didn't feel a thing for a single character. And if I don't feel anything, I just don't care.

I fault the book for this. There just isn't anything to MAKE you care! We never get to know more than the slacker side to these characters -- and really, what the heck is appealing about that?. THAT being said, I think the cast is AMAZINGLY talented and the energy they expel is beyond belief. They dedicated themselves like nobody's business. They SOUNDED amazing -- the harmonies are beautiful. (Although, sadly, little of that transfered to the recording.) There is a part of me that sorta kinda wants to go back and see if a second viewing might make a more emotional connection -- but that feeling is waning.

John Gallagher, Jr was stupendous, and I'm a little suprised he did not garner a Tony Nomination. Other worthy mentions: Tony Vincent as the truly evil St. Jimmy, Rebecca Naomi Jones as Whathername and Gerard Canonico of the ensemble.

Everyday Rapture Hm. Where to start? Everyday Rapture is Sherie Rene Scott's life story, starring Sherie Rene Scott. And it's a musical. And the music is all pre-existing. And I didn't know a single song.

Scott is talented and highly entertaining. After all, her b'way resume is damn impressive: Rent, Aida, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Mermaid. AND she has a HUGE following. But as I sat there for 90 uninterupted minutes I kept thinking: WHY? Why do we care? Why is HER story worth telling? Why is this considered inspirational? WHY did I chose to see this? Ok...sure, she use to be a mennonite. Well, HALF mennonite. So what? She's not now. People praise her honesty for discussing an abortion early on in her life. WHY? When she talks about it, it's not any big deal...not to make the decision or live with the decision. It's not a frightening ordeal, no one is trying to keep her from doing it. She talks about it with no emotion whatsoever...so again I ask: WHY???

Thank goodness I only paid TDF prices. I think I would have HATED it if I'd paid full price! Please note: MANY people this is the best thing on the Great White Way...gosh, I hoope not.

One last thought: if Meghan Mullally (Of TV's Will and Grace and B'way's Young Frankenstien) hadn't walked out of the revival of Lips Together, Teeth Apart causing the Roundabout to cancel the show, this show would have never seen the light of day on B'way.

Another attempt to catch up!

This blog is an attempt to figure out WHAT I still need to catch up on. It won't be easy. But here goes:

New Cast of Hair
Next to Normal (yes, again)
The Burnt Part Boys
Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson
American Idiot
Lend Me a Tenor
Everyday Rapture
Next Fall
Matt Doyle at Joe's Pub
In the Heights with Corbin Bleu (really!)

The Tony Award Nominations


Hmmmm.....what to discuss HERE? Short blurbs:

Corbin Bleu as Usnavi at In The Heights. I liked this show the first time. Sweet, fresh although not terribly orignal. BECAUSE of the introduction of Mr. Bleu (from High School Musical fame) both my kids decided they DID trust my opinion of them enjoying this show. While I still don't LOVE the show, I will say I enjoyed it JUST as much as I did the first time. Both the kids really loved it, too. Watching THEM watch a show is indeed, priceless. Corbin was really wonderful on stage and captured the essence of Usnavi completely. I will admit, many were skeptical of his being cast, but he won over all of the naysayers I'd heard from -- well, those that actually saw him perform. My DD begged to stage door, so we obliged her. By the time Corbin came out, we were half frozen but it was well worth the wait. He was warm and gracious and took a little bit of time with everyone that waited for him. He was incredibly sweet to my daughter and was happy enough to pose for a few pix with her. You'd have thought he was an old b'way pro and fit in the atmosphere of SD very nicely.

Matt Doyle at Joe's Pub
My favorite little club for some b'way performers cabaret style shows, indeed. Matt is working on releasing an album and this gig was a pre-cursor to that endeavor. He sang mostly songs from up and coming composers. I'm sorry I don't have the play list and can't list any of the numbers. But I will say...I would go out of my way to hear Matt sing, he has such a true quality to his voice...so honest. It was also lovely to hear him sing with Jen Damiano (Next to Normal, Spring Awakening). My favorite moment, though, was when former student, Katie Gassert, sang with him. I couldn't have been more proud if I were her mom. It's something seeing someone you've directed since they were TWELVE blossom the way Katie has. I wish her well and hope a suited casting comes her way soon.
(see her here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxOGJFD5qTc)

Everyday Rapture
First, the ONLY reason this has made it to B'way is because Megan Mullalley dropped out of Lips Together, Teeth Apart causing the Roundabout to cacel the show...so they had an empty theater.

This is Sherie Rene Scott's autobiographical musical. Most of you are thinking: Who the heck is she? She IS well known on the B'way circuit with such originating roles as Ursala (Little Mermaid), The Last Five Years (Off B'way), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Aida, and Rent. But what needs to be asked is WHY? She is crazy talented, and I was entertained. But I had to keep asking myself WHY does her story need to be told? It isn't hardship filled. She didn't overcome great adversity. She had a life...and one she's still filling. The whole thing just seemed...well...indulgent. (BTW...she managed to snag a few Tony noms...showing was a weak year this has been for musicals.)

That's enough for now. I promise: in a few days, I'll write some more! I swear that I will be all caught up before I see any new shows. (And that's not likely to happen before Father's day weekend.)