BLONDE and MUSIK to perform at Tonys? — Page 2

Although I enjoy the show much more than you do (admitedly, I adore it), I totally respect your thoughts. However, I agree on the Disneylanding of London. That's one thing I wish they'd done better...have the magic creep in on you rather than jump all over.

---

Don't hold your breath on that one.

---

Even if they would install Bert's rigging, I think they'd opt not to put it in....it would give away a "great moment."

---

I KNOW!

CBS once effectively had performances and major awards in two hours...apparently they can't do it in three now (which is why lesser-known awards are now cut)...it must be some sort of a curse!

Seriously...seeing images of the scenery designs, et cetera, can really spark people's interest in a show.

---

Legally Blonde and LoveMusik will NOT perform, as per this morning's Michael Riedel column.
New York Post - Michael Riedel

---

That was very tacky and selfish of the producers (particularly the ones who weren't even involved with the nominated shows) to keep LEGALLY BLONDE and LOVEMUSIK from performing. Why should America miss seeing the performances of Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy on the telecast? Or why should people not be able to see why Laura Bell Bundy or Orfeh or Christian Borle were nominated in a little excerpt from their show?
The whole thing was very crass and poorly handed.

---

How long does the contract between CBS and the Tonys run? I can see CBS holding out for more control over the telecast once the contract is over. Since we don't have crappy duets between Jackman and Aretha, I think it would have been great if they could have opened with a musical number from LoveMusik followed in quick succession from a number from Blonde. Since there is no host, I doubt having the two perform would have taken much time away from the shows that were nominated. And Variety is reporting that there's talk that Fantasia might perform. If she's doing a song from The Color Purple, how is that not essentially the same thing as the free publicity given to LoveMusik/Legally Blonde? Better yet, that's still time they could use to have LM/Blonde perform instead.

I understand the shows nominated want the time and spotlight for themselves, but if you're doing extra musical numbers, wouldn't it be better to showcase a show with nominated performers, or even a show that just could use the publicity (ala LoveMusik). If The Color Purple needs publicity, it can perform on Oprah, since it seems that's increased their ticket sales the other times they've done that.

Ok, so Variety has a piece about this too, which ends with this line-

Maybe Fantasia can pull in some ratings. The "American Idol" alumna, currently giving a well-reviewed turn in "The Color Purple," is said to be a possibility to perform at the ceremony.

So what is Fantasia (if this is true, of course) going to be performing? She can't do something from TCP, right, as wouldn't that go against the whole 'only nominated shows can perform' rule? TCP was a nominated show *last* year, not this year. But what else would she do- something off of her own album? It's the Tonys, not the Grammys.

I think the way they went about it sucked, but I do see why the offer to Blonde and Musik to perform was rescinded. However, I don't wanna then see any performances from last year's nominated shows either.


Tony gaffe riles regulars

I think it's rather unfair that Fantasia will most likely perform, while Lovemusik and Legally Blonde, two NEW shows won't be able to. The Color Purple had a performance last year. Let another show perform.

---

I think the producers at the TONYs were foolish in the first place to offer them a spot. It's been tradition for years that only the shows NOMINATED would perform, why should that change now? The TONY committee dug their own grave by not nominating the shows, then giving them air time, and then retracting it. They were asking for trouble. If they really wanted LV and LB to perform, they should've nominated them.

I'm not even sure how performances from LoveMusik or LB would bring up ratings.

I understand how performing live has always been the reward of the nominated few but the show overall should be used to promote all bway has to offer. Even if they cant air a whole song, abbreviated clips of new shows this year couldnt hurt, and they could certainly do some sort of split screen when the nominees are being read to show what theyre nominated for specifically with production stills or behind the scenes clips depending on the category.

Oh waaah waaah waaah

The producers are right. If they'd allowed Legally Blonde and LoveMusick to perform they would have started going down a VERY bumpy road. It should stay that running nominated shows only get to perform.

I think everybody understands why Fantasia might be performing... and no one will think its unfair. They'll think it's to get ratings.

BIG got a chance to perform at the TONYS in 1996? If you remember in 1996, they were bumped from their slot by 2 shows which closed.. Richard Maltby went after the TONY voters claiming their show was miscounted in the votes or whatever.. if you read "The Diary Of BIG The Musical" it's all in there. I think I remember reading something of the fact that they were crushed when BIG wouldn't have the chance to perform and that's part of what caused them to have to close 5 months later on Broadway. I am glad the TONY people took back their offer. Why should these shows get to perform and take time away from the other 8 (new and revival) ? And wouldn't Les Miz,Pirate Queen be a bit pissed as well? They could wind up putting Blonde and Love Musik on .. time will tick, speeches will take forever..you get an annoying performer to talk about themselves for 15 minutes.. and one of the nominated musicals will suffer and possibly be bumped as well. It happened with "Aint Nothing But The Blues"..

Updated On: 5/23/07 at 02:33 PM