All New Musicals This Season to Perform on Tonys

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:24pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=28752

I know they announced Little Mermaid, but it is nice to see A Catered Affair and Young Frankenstein get a chance as well. I remember they were pushing to get all shows to perform at the awards. It'll be a long night, but a good idea to please the fans of shows that didn't get the Best Musical/Best Revival noms.

Updated On: 6/9/08 at 12:24 PM

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:25pm

This is going to be a long night at Radio City.

Woot.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:26pm

Fantastic news! I feel so lucky to be attending this year's Tony Awards!

[harris007]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:26pm

very cool

[JRybka]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:27pm

I have to admit that I LOVE the idea. True there are musicals that get nominated for best musical but you should honor all of broadway not just four shows. I think it is a great idea.

They do it for the film industry and the telvision industry~ why not little bitty broadway

Updated On: 6/9/08 at 12:27 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:28pm

JRybka: Normally, they perform more than 4 shows. They perform all nominees for Beat Musical and Best Musical revival.

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:30pm

This is great news! Let's hope it doesn't drastically affect the length of the broadcast.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:31pm

Too bad GLORY DAYS won't be able to perform...

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:32pm

This is excellent news! I am excited to see a performance from A Catered Affair, though I really can't tell what song they would sing. When listening to the Recording, it's hard to tell when one song ends and another begins. The opening to the show has some nice harmonies, I vote for that one. :O)

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:32pm

how will there be time for thirteen musical numbers?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:35pm

I wonder if some of these shows that weren't nominated won't get as much airtime.

Don't the Tonys usually run slightly over?

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:37pm

I hope this sticks. Not like I care about anything that it is helping out this season, but... this would have been helpful in past years.

Do you think the ban on closed musicals performing would still apply? I'm still harboring bad feelings over Big River's lack of performance time.

Less chit chat, more performances always sounds like a good idea to me. They'd better be ready to hustle the winners off the stage though because I don't think they're too forgiving with the Tonys running overtime.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:49pm

In answer to the query as to whether the Tony Awards ceremonies run over, the answer is: Not since CBS started doing the show. Every year the last half is rushed through to get over by the 11 o'clock deadline. What ticks me off is that a sports event can go on and on and on, scheduling limitations be damned. The most egregious example was some years back when It Ain't Nothing But the Blues, which was nominated for Best Musical, was denied the opportunity to do their number because it was too close to 11 and the number was scrapped. The stated reason was that they had to get off because the CBS News was scheduled to be on next. Well, how come, if it's so important for the News to be on exactly as scheduled, a football or baseball game can break into that hallowed tradition? I say, the Tonys are better off being on PBS -- no interruptions, no commercials, and flexibility in scheduling. The so-called people "out there" who wouldn't go to the theatre otherwise will be watching the ball game anyway (and there's ALWAYS a sports event competing in that spot, come hell or high water), so where's the logic?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:52pm

I know your question was rhetorical, but the sports games bring in more money from advertisers than the Tony Awards do.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:55pm

This is wonderful news.

As far as how much time all thirteen numbers will take up, why not try a very rough estimate:

13 numbers * about 5 minutes for each = 65 minutes (1 hour 5 minutes)

17 categories * about 5 minutes for each = 85 minutes (1 hour 25 minutes)

2 three-minute commercial breaks each half-hour * 6 half-hours = 36 minutes

Round up and all those extra numbers will probably add about a half-hour to forty-five minutes to the telecast. And really, if it's just a big advertisement for Broadway, isn't that a good thing?

Of course, this is the best of all possible cases-scenario.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 12:57pm

That's why I suggested running it on PBS, where it will be accorded more dignity, be allowed breathing space and will not seem like such a rushed job in the last half hour.

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:22pm

Hope we don't have a repeat of 1999 when time was short and Ain't Nothin' But The Blues got bumped.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:23pm

I'm really happy that more shows will be performing, but CBS won't let the show run very far past 11 PM. and the thing is, they rush through the part of the show with the bigger awards...like Best Play and Best Musical. although I know they really wouldn't present those at any time other than the very end.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:28pm

They should start off rushing, then. Then evaluate half way through, and if they are ahead of schedule, slow down.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:29pm

Maybe the shows that aren't nominated will get less time, or maybe it will be a medley with all shows involved...who knows!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:29pm

Shout out to Jerry Mitchell!!!

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:31pm

I'm very happy that the shows that didn't get nominated will have the chance to perform.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:37pm

Just to be safe, they should schedule Xandu to perform last. Just in case.

[joe5]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 1:50pm

WAT, I hope that you enjoy the show. With all your ranting about certain shows this season. I find it odd that you would think it's fantastic. I guess you will spend half the time in the men's room, CRYING. LOL joe

[Brick]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 2:03pm

Anyone else notice they announced GYPSY will "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and SUNDAY is doing "Move On".

I'm thrilled about the choice of the former, disappointed by the later. I wanted SUNDAY to perform "Sunday". Oh, well...