#1Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:10pm
Passing Strange is unlike anything Broadway has ever seen before. It is not only an amazing theatrical experience, with awesome music, but it has a message about life and art that speaks to all generations. IMO, if something as deep as this is ignored at the Tony Awards, then a cruel mis justice will have been occurred.
I'm not saying the other three nominees aren't good. In The Heights, which of course will be nominated, is, from what I hear, a fun show, that is able to highlight the positive aspects of Latino life. A Catered Affair is also very emotional, with very beautiful music. And Xanadu is just tons and tons of fun.
I'm just saying, Passing Strange is a show that speaks to the voice inside us that tells us to find the "real" in our lives.
Feel free to bash me for making this thread.
My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#2re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:14pm
Have not seen it so cannot comment.
I loved Xanadu & thought it probably won't get anything Young Frankenstein. I can comment on Heights & Catered after we see them.
Poster Emeritus
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#2re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:31pm
That's great, Ben. But remember that no award would change "the real" :) They have already accomplished so much - the rest is just politics.
I'd be jumping of joy if it won, but it's just an award at the end.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#3re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:37pm
"I'm not saying the other three nominees aren't good."
...the nominations aren't actually out yet.
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#4re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:38pmIt seems strange that you are proclaiming one show should win Best Musical when you have not seen all of the potential nominees.
#5re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:38pm
I have to admit that I'm rooting for Passing Strange, too. It's so different and refreshing. It has a great score and message, and honestly, I'm just glad that something like this is on Broadway because just the titles of some shows discourage me. I don't make to NY too often, but I'm SOOOO happy I took a chance (thanks to the good word of mouth on this board) for a rush ticket to Passing Strange. The volume of the show though--- yikes!
ITH is a GOOD show, but other than the hip-hop flavor of the score, it ddin't really speak to me. The book is my opinion is weak from too many different strands that never really meet.
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#6re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:39pmIn all honesty, I'd rather the show not get a single nomination than for it to become overhyped. That would ruin it.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#7re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:44pmI appreciate your sentiment, and agree that PASSING STRANGE is a groundbreaking show, but I agree with adamgreer that it is pretty absurd to say a certain show "has to" win Best Musical when you admittedly have not seen all of the potential nominees.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#8re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:47pmTotal injustices have happened many times with the Tony. Two Gentlemen of Verona beating out Follies; Mr. Roberts beating out Streetcar Named Desire; Desperate Hours beating out Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Michael Moriarty beating out Jason Robards for Moon for the Misbegotten (I'm still smarting over that, 35 years after the fact); David Hyde Pierce beating out Raul Esparza; the list goes on and on.
BroadwayEd
buddharich
Featured Actor Joined: 3/23/07
#9re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:50pm
Please don't bash me for having a different opinion!! We are all entitled to our own opinions - I would be terribly disappointed (I know it's silly, it's just an award, but...) if Passing Strange were to win. I hated it!! And I want to speak to something in your post: theatre IS ARTIFICIAL, not real, and I want it that way!! I don't want "the real", ever, esp. in broadway musicals!! (; Xanadu is my favorite, it's tons of fun, and In The Heights is just plain wonderful!! Haven't seen Cry-Baby, Glory Days, A Catered Affair (but I have heard the score, which I didn't care for), Young Frankenstein... am about to see Gypsy and South Pacific over the next 2 weeks.
I truly hated every single awful minute of Passing Strange! (please, no attacks, it's just an opinion)
buddharich
Featured Actor Joined: 3/23/07
#10re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:50pm
Please don't bash me for having a different opinion!! We are all entitled to our own opinions - I would be terribly disappointed (I know it's silly, it's just an award, but...) if Passing Strange were to win. I hated it!! And I want to speak to something in your post: theatre IS ARTIFICIAL, not real, and I want it that way!! I don't want "the real", ever, esp. in broadway musicals!! (; Xanadu is my favorite, it's tons of fun, and In The Heights is just plain wonderful!! Haven't seen Cry-Baby, Glory Days, A Catered Affair (but I have heard the score, which I didn't care for), Young Frankenstein... am about to see Gypsy and South Pacific over the next 2 weeks.
I truly hated every single awful minute of Passing Strange! (please, no attacks, it's just an opinion)
#11re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:51pm
"I'm just saying, Passing Strange is a show that speaks to the voice inside us that tells us to find the "real" in our lives."
Glad you liked the show, but a pet peeve of mine is when people try speaking for everyone because they feel the need to. I saw "Passing Strange" and didn't like it one bit (and that's being kind).
#12re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:52pm
"I'm just saying, Passing Strange is a show that speaks to the voice inside us that tells us to find the "real" in our lives."
Glad you liked the show, but a pet peeve of mine is when people try speaking for everyone because they feel the need to. I saw "Passing Strange" and didn't like it one bit (and that's being kind)."
Yes, exactly. Passing Strange never spoke to any voice inside of me.
#13re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 7:53pm
Adding to what Ed is saying, just because a show doesn't win a Tony for Best Musical, or ANY Tony Award for that matter, doesn't mean a thing for the level of significance it has the potential to hold in the musical theatre canon.
The original production of GYPSY won ZERO Tony Awards, and now it is considered to be one of the greatest American musicals of all time.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#14re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:07pm
AdamG--you have a voice, on the inside???
Updated On: 4/7/08 at 08:07 PM
#15re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:07pm
^ THE. Greatest, Foster.
Anyway, I highly disagree. Passing Strange just didn't do it for me.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#16re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:12pmThe Tony could even make the producers jeopardize its artistic integrity, like some do during the spring to pay the rent. :)
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#17re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:12pm
Pardon.
THE. 
All the more reason why winning awards doesn't add or take away from the significance of a piece.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#18re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:14pm
You are all absolutely right, especially the part about me saying all this when it isn't even nominated yet. I also agree that possible Tony wins could jeopardize it's integrity.
This thread was just a thought in my head I wanted to share.
My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/
jake6970
Broadway Star Joined: 9/21/07
#19re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:15pmAm I the only one who wasn't terribly impressed with this show?
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#20re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:17pmNo, love, if you read the thread you'll know you're not alone.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
jake6970
Broadway Star Joined: 9/21/07
#21re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:18pmAh, serves me right for only reading the bottom half of the thread!
#22re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:29pm
"Passing Strange is unlike anything Broadway has ever seen before."
In every season, EACH show brings something Broadway has never seen before. Sometimes they are unconventional (hand-puppets in AVE Q, actors-as-orchestra in SWEENEY), sometimes they are more subtle (inanimate objects as characters in CAROLINA OR CHANGE which was first done in BEAUTY & THE BEAST).
I think that's a poor reason to give out a Tony or deem a musical the "Best" of the season.
Original ideas, concepts, styles, etc. on Broadway is wonderful. But do we award them for trying or because it was the best?
In my opinion, PASSING STRANGE is an average performance art show. Broadway hasn't seen anything like it in years (if ever), but that doesn't make it a GOOD show. I think it has many flaws. I was moved from the show but I was more affected by the off-Broadway NEXT TO NORMAL.
My favorite to win is XANADU. I think PASSING STRANGE will get the Tony unless XANADU pulls an AVE Q publicity stunt - then we'll have a better race!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#23re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 9:37pmTotally random question: Is there dialogue in Passing Strange. Like, are there book scenes?
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
#24re: Why Passing Strange has to win the Tony for Best Musical
Posted: 4/7/08 at 9:39pmYes.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Videos