As Jenna Maroney who watches over me from my desk at work (not kidding there's a giant poster from The Girlie Show staring at me right now) says, "I've been petitioning for a Tony category for living theatrically in normal life." I'm still waiting. Anyways, this weekend was like Tonys to the extreme. I had some problems with this years awards that I will get out on the front end so I can move on to the things that I enjoyed.
Angela Lansbury at the Dress Rehearsal
1. The Tonys are not the Oscars. Exhibit A. Tony presenters: Daniel Radcliffe, Paula Abdul, Katie Holmes, Will Smith. Exhibit B. Tony winners: Denzel Washington, Scarlett Johanssen, Catherine Zeta Jones, Viola Davis. Who out of these names is known for their relationship with Broadway? None. Where was Cheyenne Jackson, Patti LuPone, Gavin Creel, Sutton Foster, just to name a few of the big Broadway names. Ugh. Tonys are about the theater not about star power. I understand that the Tonys have to get good ratings and make money in order to stay on the air, but still. I am very disappointed by the lengths producers will go to in order to make a dime. It's disheartening how shallow American Theater can be just out fear that a show won't turn a profit. And if you absolutely HAVE to stunt cast the show, they should not win unless they are the best in their category. I digress...
Dan Radcliffe (and Katie Holmes' stand in) at Dress Rehearsal
2. Glee was not a Broadway show this season. Why did they get to perform? Why didn't we hear a mash up from the 30 Rock cast? They have Broadway performers who are regulars on the show. That show takes places in NYC. Come on. It's not fair to the other Broadway shows who didn't get to perform. Performing at the Tonys should be an honor because you get to perform if you are nominated for best musical. Matt Morrison and Lea Michele had their Tony moments for South Pacific(And Light in the Piazza and Hairspray?) and Spring Awakening. I love Glee as much as the next person, but its no Broadway show.
Matt Morrison at Dress Rehearsal
3. Green Day? Oh my gosh, there aren't even words for that.
All that to say, I still enjoy the Tonys. A lot! So I was over the moon when my friend got me a ticket to the dress rehearsal! It was amazing. It was surreal. I've watched the awards at home for years but actually being there...unreal. The dress rehearsal was almost more fun than the actual awards. The stars were relaxed, they messed up. Bernadette Peters came out with her hair in pin curls and couldn't read the teleprompter. We got to see all the commercial entertainment that the actual Tony audience would see.
Bernadette in some kind of pin curls?
That night I went and watched the actual Tonys ceremony in Times Square. They had a giant screen set up and chairs and everything. It's fun to watch them with a giant group of people who actually care about the awards. Except for the crazies next to me who screamed every time American Idiot or a cast member from that show was mentioned. Ugh.
My favorite moments: the uncessant promotion of the city of Memphis (obviously for "Memphis" but also "Million Dollar Quartet"). I do feel like Memphis is really getting stereotyped as thick accented racists who all love rock 'n roll. Whatever. I love the opening number, it was really cool. Also I love Doug Hodge in his La Cage performance. SO FUNNY!
I could rant and rave about the people who won who shouldn't have or more on how Hollywood took over. Hunter Foster has covered that for me (thank goodness). I love the Tony's and this year was so much fun because I got to actually be right in the heart of New York during the ceremony!
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