BEST MUSICAL RACE 2014- Page 2

[Sauja]

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

To add to my last comment and to echo macnyc, I can't help but think that if Fun Home had managed to get a theater, it would have (deservedly) had Musical, Book, and Score in the bag.

[tmbyru]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 1:20pm

Aladdin should not be nominated for best musical... it was underwhelming at best.

After Midnight (Amazing)
If/Then (Ugh)
Gents Guide (Ugh)
Bridges (so-so)
Beautiful (beautiful)

Rocky can battle it out with one of the ughs. I loved Rocky it was fun!

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 1:42pm

After Midnight and Gentleman's Guide are not both sure things.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:03pm

They should be.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:21pm

blaxx-I must say I'm fairly certain they are sure things for a nod at this point. (They garnered the best reviews thus far.)

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:36pm

I'd be surprised by After Midnight being nominated for Best Musical. Not at all a knock on the show- but it is a revue, which will almost certainly be held against it come nominating time.

Reviews don't mean nominations.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:38pm

Ain't Misbehaving was a revue, and as I seem to recall, it WON.

Stranger things have happened, Kad.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:46pm

Sure. In 1978.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:48pm

Well this hasn't been a landmark year for musicals. I think After Midnight is a rather safe bet for a nod. It's got a terrific shot at a win. (Other revues have won as well-Fosse, and Smokey Joe's Cafe really are revues. They are 'safe' shows for the out of town voters-known music and easy to put in other venues.)

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:51pm

And those productions all won in weaker years for new musicals.

After Midnight is reliant on revolving headliners for sales. It's a revue in a year with - if no TRANSCENDENT new musicals- many strong "true" musicals.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:56pm

I'd sure like to see what's so strong about "Bridges," "If/Then" (gag me), among others. I have not seen a single Broadway show that made me believe it was a full production worthy of best musical. Period.

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:56pm

Double Post.

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 02:56 PM

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 3:21pm

BULLETS
BEAUTIFUL
ROCKY
IF/THEN
GENTLEMENS...

[Kad]

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

Bridges was received equally as well as After Midnight overall, according to StageGrade. Both it and After Midnight (and Gentleman's Guide) have an aggregated grade of A-, based on critical reviews.

You may not have enjoyed Bridges- but word of mouth in the theatrical community is generally positive, as well.

Obviously, it's too early to determine anything for If/Then, and Rocky is divisive (though I would say it skews positive due to overall production).

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 03:23 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 3:28pm

I doubt After Midnight is at any disadvantage. Revues are not ignored by the committee because of their structure and presentation. Plus it is awesome.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 5:23pm

"Bridges of Madison County (if it can stay open until then)"

One has nothing to do with the other. Bonnie and Clyde got two nominations, a show that closed more than six months before the awards.

I think it will be Bridges of Madison County, If/Then (they love original material) and Bullets Over Broadway. After Midnight is more of a concert, so it's doubtful. Fantastic though.

I hope Kelli, Steven, and Norbert get nominations for their outstanding performances.

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 05:23 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 6:31pm

Jeez, close minded purists much?

The fact that a show does not follow a traditional book structure does not make it less worthy to receive an award.

Now I'm hoping it wins just so Contact doesn't feel so lonely.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 7:41pm

I never said it was less worthy.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 7:49pm

Wait. Did I miss something about there being 5 shows nominated?

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 8:15pm

I never said it was less worthy.

You said it wasn't a "true" musical. Whatever, that is your opinion. Doesn't make it true.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 8:19pm

@ljay889 the committee got together and ruled that with so many eligible nominees in different categories, including Best Musical/Score/Book and the performance awards, the number of final nominees could be adjusted to 5. or something along those lines, don't quote me. lol.

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:13pm

Since BULLETS is, as I am writing this, in the midst of its SECOND preview, why are so many of you sure it has a "lock" on a nomination? Maybe it will, maybe it won't... aren't you being just a tad premature? I recall everyone saying the same thing about BIG FISH. And we all know how that turned out...

[Emma White]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:26pm

"One has nothing to do with the other. Bonnie and Clyde got two nominations, a show that closed more than six months before the awards. "

None of which were Best Musical, though.

My predictions (as someone who has seen none of them):
Rocky
If/Then
Beautiful
Bridges
Gentlemens or Bullets

Haha why do I bother, I have no idea what's going on honestly

[theatreguy]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:30pm

ljay889 - this Variety article details the changes:

http://variety.com/2014/legit/news/tony-awards-take-a-page-from-the-oscars-with-option-to-supersize-major-categories-1201120531/

"In the new rules, going from four to five nominees will only happen if, in the nominating process, a fifth show achieves a vote tally that would put it in the same ballpark as the show with the fourth highest total. Final decision will be made by the accountants totting up the votes of the nominating committee.

"In the new rules, there’s also the chance to reduce a show category to as few as three nominees, if five or fewer productions in that class qualify for nomination consideration."

[Kad]

Posted: 3/12/14 at 9:34pm

And I put "true" in quotes. I have nothing against After Midnight- I just have no confidence it's as locked as some people here- because it's a revue (and one with alternating headliners) in a year of several strong book musicals. I think the nominating committee will be conservative about this especially because the show is, in effect, operating like a special engagement concert.

That's my opinion and has never been presented as anything but. Doesn't affect how awesome you think the show is.

Updated On: 3/12/14 at 09:34 PM