BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

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BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/11/14 at 8:55pm

There's a whole lot of people on these boards that have been going to see this years musicals. Can any of you provide your opinion on what musicals are leading the race for this seasons awards. Again, knowing this is all speculation but are there any educated non bias opinions?

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/11/14 at 9:10pm

The big contenders seem to be: Rocky, If/Then, Bridges of Madison County, Gentleman's Guide..., Aladdin, Beautiful, After Midnight, and Bullets over Broadway.

It is far too early for me to even begin guessing, as most of the ones I have seen out of this bunch were early on in previews. My personal favorites though are Beautiful, Bridges, and Rocky!

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:41pm

Especially with the possibility that we could end up seeing five shows nominated this year!

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:45pm

If there are 5 nominees, I think we will have:

Nominee 1: Either After Midnight or ...Love and Murder
Nominee 2-5: Rocky, Bridges, If/then, Beautiful, or Bullets

For some reason, I see them only choosing one of the 2013 openers

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:53pm

I'd like to think Big Fish will be nominated but I doubt it. But I really hope Nobert gets a nod. He deserves it.

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:22am

Rocky
Bullets Over Broadway
Bridges of Madison County (if it can stay open until then)
If/Then
After Midnight/Gentleman's Guide

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:30am

What about Headwig. I don't think it ever play on Broadway. Would this not also be up for a nomination?

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:34am

As we've seen in the past with shows like Assassins & Cinderella, it's most likely going to be put into the Revival category!

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 11:44am

In my humble opinion, the new off Broadway musicals this year, Fun Home, Natasha and Pierre, and Here Lies Love, were so much better than what made it to Broadway. All were imaginative, beautifully cast and staged, with a unique point of view. All three were memorable. Anyway, as far as the Tony field this year, I'm always wrong about these things, so you can stop reading now. The only thing worse than my Tony predictions is my stock picking!

That said, my favorites were After Midnight and Beautiful. But because both are "jukebox" musicals, I think only one will be nominated. (Bullets is kind of in the same category, but I haven't seen that yet.)

The others seem really blah to me, with scores that were not compelling. The only way I can describe it is that each one seemed to be lacking something. I wanted to love them, but Gentleman's Guide, Rocky, Bridges, and If/Then all left me cold. I think the scores of all of them left something to be desired.

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 11:44 AM

#10

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:05pm

After Midnight is a revue, not a jukebox musical!

#11

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:08pm

I think it's going to be:

Rocky
Bullets Over Broadway (The scandal about Woody raping his step-daughter could easily cost him)
Bridges of Madison County
If/Then
Gentleman's Guide

Dark Horse: Aladdin

#12

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:16pm

My predictions (5 nominees):

After Midnight (it got great reviews and should do very well on tour)
Bullets Over Broadway
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (It's lasted all season)
If/Then
Rocky
-A lot of this depends on the reviews for "Aladdin," "If/Then" and "Rocky". I think "If/Then" is safe because it's 'original' and 'new'. (I was not taken with it in the least.) I think if "Rocky" gets middling reviews and "Aladdin" slips through with better ones, the 'spectacle spot' as I call it will go to "Aladdin".

One other consideration is category placement for "Violet" and "Hedwig" (I'm assuming they'll both be deemed revivals, but I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't-I've heard significant changes were made to both, particularly "Violet".)

#13

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:22pm

I think we'll be seeing a spread of the wealth this year. For example, Bridges may not make the cut for Musical, but will be in for Score. After Midnight may not make it for Musical, but be included for performances. Etc. It's a season in which a sweep seems extremely unlikely- and ill-advised.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#14

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:23pm

I agree with you macnyc, I have not been overly impressed with most of the shows I have seen this season. Last year we all knew it would come down to 2 shows, Matilda and Kinky, This year nothing I have seen so far is really sticking with me. I still need to see Bridges and Bullets. I have heard that Bridges is great music but the book is slow and Bullets, I have heard very little about, but I am not a Woody Allen fan, so not sure if I want to waste the time or money. I am waiting to see what others say before I make up my mind on seeing it or not.

Rocky is a big tech spectacle
Gents Guide was cute but not a fan of the music (reminded me too much of Drood.)
If/Then was about as interesting as watching paint dry ***(cannot believe these are the same people that gave us N2N, one of my favorite shows.)
Big Fish=Big Flop (although I did enjoy parts of it)
Aladdin=Meh, it's watered down Disney crap (although the Genie's number is over the top)
After Midnight, I saw as the Cotton Club Review at City Center. It was good, but have not seen this version of it.
Beautiful, probably my favorite thing I have seen, but it is jukebox (could it pull a Jersey Boys?)

*** yes, we all know Idina can sing, I am not knocking her performance, I did not go to see her or any of the stars in the show for that matter. I went to see the show as a new piece from the pair that touched me so with N2N. The performances are first rate in a boring show. Seriously, think about the story after your post theater rush wears off in a day or 2, IT's BORING IMHO.

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 12:23 PM

#15

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:27pm

My dream five nominees would be:

After Midnight
Bridges
Gentleman's Guide
Bullets
If/Then

I fear Rocky will sneak in and possibly bump Bridges off the list, but Rocky doesn't have a lock on a nomination either.

Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

#16

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:32pm

I just hope Beautiful Rocky can squeeze in

#17

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:46pm

I agree with Kad – I see the nominations being spread out to multiple shows as opposed to the same group of shows dominating every category. From the reviews on this board (and the critical reviews that have come out so far), it seems like, even in shows that may not be “Best Musical” worthy, there are different aspects that are worthy of Tony nominations. Excited to see how this plays out. With such a wealth of shows (and talent) this year, I truly hope that instead of the nominators simply filling each category with their favorite shows of the year (something I feel occurs far too often), they really look at the different individual merits of each show.

#18

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:47pm

Beautiful - it's the only show that drew me in from all aspects

Rocky - for it's amazing unique last 20 minutes

Gentlemen - for it's smartness

After Midnight - for it's class

I've not seen Bridges, Aladdin, Bullets, or If Then so I will take a guess

Bridges will get a score nod
Aladdin sets etc
If Then sounds like it still confuses
So the 5th spot goes to Bullets

If they don't have a fifth spot I would switch Gentleman out for Bullets

Up In One

#19

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:50pm

I personally think Gentleman's Guide will get a nod for best musical-it's quietly lasted the entire season as other shows have crashed and burned. It got really strong reviews, too. Most importantly, it's got a cohesive book and score.

And I really think After Midnight will get a slot because it too has weathered the season very well, and the market for the show will be pretty impressive I think. (The tour potential for this is pretty strong-it's a well known song catalog, they can get guest stars for various stops.)

#20

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:57pm

I see Aladdin not making the Best Musical list but making a run on the technical awards. I see the only show that can possibly challenging Aladdin when it comes to the technical awards outside of costumes is Rocky.

I think James Monroe Iglehart is almost a lock for Best Supporting Actor, his only competition was Jefferson Mays, which will now be in a competitive Best Actor race.

As with most fantasy pieces I think Aladdin is a lock for costumes as well. The only real problems it faces in the technical categories are lighting design because you can barely see Aladdin and Jasmine during "A Whole New World", and set design which it will be facing stiff competition from Rocky.

As of right now I see If/Then competing with A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder for the Broadway favorite, with Beautiful, Bullets over Broadway, and Rocky being the toast of the tour crowd.

I have a feeling After Midnight may be left out of the Best New Musical list because its a revue, but being rewarded in the best direction, choreography, and orchestrations to compensate.

So overall I agree with what most have already have already said that this will be a spread the wealth year at the Tony awards. The only way I see a sweep happening is if If/Then opens to unanimous praise which I don't think is likely.

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 12:57 PM

#21

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:59pm

I hope Aladdin doesn't get any nods, and knowing the Tony committee, it probably won't win even if nominated. If they consider Lady Day a musical (which is possible) it may get a nod too.

#22

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 1:02pm

Lady Day is labeled as a play with music, so it doesn't count.

#23

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 1:05pm

I'm guessing that the following four will be nominated:

If/Then
After Midnight
Gentleman's Guide
Bullets

I see Rocky and Bridges slugging it out for the fifth slot.

Alternately Beautiful could take the fifth slot.

....but the world goes 'round

#24

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 1:08pm

"I think James Monroe Iglehart is almost a lock for Best Supporting Actor, his only competition was Jefferson Mayes, which will now be in a competitive Best Actor race."

Jefferson Mays is considered for Leading role, not Featured!

#25

BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014

Posted: 3/12/14 at 1:10pm

It's all going to come down to the reviews, and it seems like almost every show right now is on the bubble. The safest bets so far seem After Midnight and Gentleman's Guide, but even there we have one revue and one rather small show.

Of the others that have opened, I could see either Bridges or Beautiful getting in, but I don't actually expect either of them to.

My guesses for the remaining slots are If/Then, Rocky, and Bullets.

But Aladdin is also a potential spoiler.

Where it gets super dicey? Trying to pick a winner! After Midnight and Gentleman's Guide seem like they won't be beaten in terms of review quality, but I can't see either of them winning somehow. Time will tell!

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