2007 DRAMA DESK NOMINATIONS — Page 5

The Winner of the Most Distracting Lighting of the Year goes to:

SPRING AWAKENING!

I can't ever remember a show being spoiled by the lighting design, until Spring Awakening. It seems as if someone went to the "useless" lighting store and bought the place out. I was sitting in the first row of the mezzanine and there were lights and fixtures (neon, glowing sun thingy, hanging bulbs) everywhere you looked and constantly pulling focus.

I love listening to the show's recording, but the physical production here is way over the top. Everything is trying to be so cool and hip that it makes the story secondary. Don't get me wrong, I love great production value and cutting edge tricks when integrated to enhance the story, performances, and characters, but this seemed indulgent.

With all the "hit you over the head" technical wizardry in Spring Awakening I kept forgetting what century the story was in!

wow, the actress in a musical category is packed with superstars. They all deserve to win, but I really am gunning for either Ashley Brown or Laura Bell. Cheno is awesome, too. Are these aired on TV?

I didn't find the lighting in Spring Awakening distracting at all, Larry. It was probably my favorite technical aspect of the show.

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Updated On: 5/1/07 at 07:11 PM

I liked Fame Becomes Me, but the lyrics felt like name dropping the whole time. I think I'm the only one that actually enjoyed Curtains' score. I'd much rather see Kander and Ebb win for music and lyrics at the Drama Desks than the fellows who wrote Spring Awakening, which I thought was banal. Now, the Tonys are another story...(Korie and Frankel anyone?)

Updated On: 4/26/07 at 07:15 PM

Really surprised that Company didn't get a nomination for its beautiful lighting and sets, which I think were in perfect harmony with the conceit of the production as a whole.

Can't believe that the boring dreck that was Some Men was nominated at all.

Lizzya9, have you seen Laura Bell Bundy's performance in LEGALLY BLONDE, and did you see Kristin Chenoweth's performance in THE APPLE TREE? And have you seen any of the other nominees in the category?

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Updated On: 4/26/07 at 07:23 PM

I'd be shocked if Chenoweth, Bundy, or Brown won. My money's on Audra, who is apparently fantastic. (And no, I have not seen any of the nominated performances, this is just going on buzz.)

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Oh, there is no doubt in my mind Audra will win. She is in another league from the other nominees.

I think Murphy should win. I haven't seen Audra yet, so that opinion may change.

I have a weird feeling that they might give it to Chenoweth because she is host. I doubt they will though.

Edit: Interesting how the two people from Les Miz that were nominated just left.

Updated On: 4/26/07 at 08:13 PM

neddyfrank, what do you mean about the two nominees leaving?

But I'm gonna go ahead and agree that I am ALL about Aaron's nomination. I didn't think Norm Lewis was bad though, I loved him. Did not like Alexander though. At all.
But it IS strange that Les Mis was nominated for best revival and A Chorus Line was not.

I hope Audra will win. She's brilliant, but I feel like everyone wants to give THE Kristin Chenoweth a Leading Actress award, not just a nomination.

And something tells me Spring Awakening will win Best Musical. It's a hunch.

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I understand that, I'm not being defensive, it's just that someone said that today at my show when we were talking about it all, and I'm just wondering what everyone means by interesting.

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