Andy Blankenbuehler vs. Savion Glover

This year's choreography Tony is certainly one of the most interesting contests in years. I am leaning towards Blankenbuehler - the movement in Hamilton is integral to its success and is really co-direction of the entire show. Glover's work is always glorious and deserving too. I suspect this category is going to be the closest (it would be great if it were a tie!) Wondering what others think? (sorry, Hofesh Schefter, Randy Skinner and Sergio Trujillo have to be happy with their nominations, since they won't win)...

I was thinking about this earlier.



The direction of Ham is so movement-based I'm not sure what's Blankenbuehler and what's Kail.

I really think this one will go to Savion, as Shuffle Along features such blazing, blistering real dance...Blankenbuehler's work in Hamilton is breath-taking, terrifically cinematic, but I agree with previous poster who said it's hard to know what is Blankenbuehler's "choreography" and what is Kail's staging...whatever it was, it resulted in a seamless partnership that helps make Hamilton flow like few shows ever have... Still, based on pure dance, I think it will go to Savion...

I love HAM, but I hope Savion gets it.



And I also hope She Loves Me wins best scenic design.



Again, I love me some Hamilton, but the set was really just a rolling staircase and some chairs.

Updated On: 5/3/16 at 03:59 PM

"For Hamilton to lose a category, I think it would take exceptional work that also feels much showier than what Hamilton is offering."



I actually think Glover's work meets those qualifications, though.

This is totally off topic but since the discussion started - the Hamilton turntables would be scenic design, no? They might help pull out a win there.

Right, turntables are part of scenic design, but Blankenbuehler and Kail's use of them is choreography and staging - again, hard to know which is which.

And I agree with you, the dancing in Fiddler is wonderful, but it feels like we've seen most of that before and before and before...

"I actually think Glover's work meets those qualifications, though."



That's...a very good point, neonlights. Hm. I admit that I'm waffling on my own thoughts.



In the meantime, Jesse Green has an interesting article on which Tony's Hamilton will win. http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/hamilton-tony-record-13-wins.html

TNick926 said "And I agree with you, the dancing in Fiddler is wonderful, but it feels like we've seen most of that before and before and before..."

Interesting - I came here to say the exact opposite! I thought the choreo in Fiddler was the coolest part of the show - the way he merged traditional Eastern European Fiddler choreography with modern dance really fascinated me.

Either way, I agree that the race is between Blankenbueller and Glover. I'm 100% Team Glover.

Updated On: 5/3/16 at 04:50 PM

For me, I am just not a big fan of Andy B's choreography in anything he has done...so while I get he is an intricate part of Hamilton, I would also pick Savion.

Savion Glover has been producing astonishing dance work on Broadway for 30 years if you go back to Tap Dance Kid. His work for SHUFFLE ALONG tops everything that came before, and will be studied for decades to come as the sui generis of brilliant tap shows. The Tony should be his.

I am with team Savion Glover for a win for Choreography!

Regardless of the "which is which" argument, I'm Team Savion. Incredible work and, frankly, I think much of the choreography in "Hamilton" is kinda dumb. I look forward to (far in the future) stripped-down versions of the show.

I think AndyBlank will win for several reasons:

1. The juggernaut.

2. Tap is not favored nowadays.

3. Glover has been honored for doing essentially the same -I would say better-before.

4. The choreography in Hamilton is of a piece with the show; in Shuffle, it IS the show. The former skill set is more impressive.