2012 Broadway Revivals

I didn't see all of them, but I did see Porgy and Bess, Follies, and Evita (and Godspell, FWIW)

As you pointed out, it was effectively a race between Follies and P&B - I don't recall any of the others being serious contenders for the win. Follies even won the Drama Desk IIRC.

I loved Follies, but personally I think they got it right with Porgy and Bess. I thought that revival was magnificent, and my appreciation for it was cemented even further when I saw it on tour - which is to say, it held up even without that Broadway cast. So when you add that extraordinary cast into the mix, it makes the win feel all the more earned.

Follies was likewise a major event - it was a lush, beautifully-designed production, and there were a ton of excellent cast members. But I think it suffered in a few areas. First of all, I know I'm in the minority here, but I was underwhelmed by Burstein's Buddy (the beginning of my ongoing reticence toward Burstein as a performer, which continues to this day), as well as Ron Raines. I actually liked Bernadette's Sally more than most people did, but I agree that the vocals weren't all there. And as for the production, I liked it at the time, but having since seen the National Theatre production, I realize just how much the Memory Ghosts were wasted in the 2011 revival by comparison.

I saw Follies, Porgy and Superstar on Broadway and Evita in London before it transferred (but without Elena Roger, which, from what I've heard, means I lucked out).

Follies was a beautifully staged production (especially when compared to the absolutely dreadful 2001 revival). I thought the performances were all fine, but that they also didn't really bring anything to the roles that prior actors hadn't (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just that there was nothing about any of them that really stood out to me).

Superstar was Superstar. Josh Young was excellent as Judas. It looked like your typical Des McAnuff production--very crisp and polished in its staging, but lacking a lot of emotional depth.

I agree Porgy and Bess was the strongest. I had some issues with the staging (very overcrowded and unfocused at places), but Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, Philip Boykin, and David Alan Grier were all magnificent. And while I'm usually against cuts from the original text, I didn't feel like there was really anything missing here.

The London production of Evita was fantastic, but I know there were several major changes to the Broadway mounting, so I can't really comment on it. But all in all, I agree Porgy deserved the Tony, but the others were also fine productions.

Such a shame the truly stunning, gorgeous, lavish 2011 revival of Follies and the complex, knock-out performances were not professionally filmed. I hope when we get a revival with Audra or Kelli (as Sally) and Laura Benanti (as Phyllis) it will look this good. Not surprisingly, Derek McLane has gone on to design perhaps the most amazing scenic design ever seen in a musical with 'Moulin Rogue!'. And the sole Tony Award for the production was for Gregg Barnes' costumes.

Bernadette's Entrance



Beautiful Girls



Just a Broadway Baby






Too Many Mornings


Loveland



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HELLO FOLKS, WE'RE INTO THE FOLLIES



YOU SAID YOU LOVED MEEE





I could tell you someone who would finally feel just FINEEE





ME, I DON'T LOVE ME