Best Director of a Musical 2007

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 12:41pm

So I was thinking about this over breakfast this morning. Everyone seems to think that the so-called "John Doyle method" worked better with Company than it did with Sweeney. So in theory John Doyle has a good shot at the director Tony again. But, that being said, this is how I predict the category this year:

• John Doyle, Company
• Michael Greif, Grey Gardens
• Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening
• Hal Prince, LoveMusik

While Doyle's method worked well for Company, I fell like Mayer has a really good shot due to Spring Awakening's period vs. modern thing, and Hal Prince is Hal Prince, so he has a great shot too. Any thoughts on this subject?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 12:50pm

I don't know about Doyle. While some feel Company worked better (I haven't seen it, so I can't judge), the reaction to it was much more mixed than it was for Sweeney. If he is nominated, I don't think he has much of a shot.

I wouldn't be too shocked if Prince got it.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:07pm

michael mayer. the staging of spring awakening is absolutely gorgeous. i am rooting for it all the way. michael did a fabulous job, big fan. =)

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:10pm

Whoever directed ACL or The Apple Tree should win, if a revival can be elegible, if not, Spring Awakening.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:11pm

BJH has the most accurate list, thus far.

I'm giving it to Hal, to add to the 20-something others on his mantle.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:12pm

A Chorus Line is not elgible.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:13pm

The Apple Tree? You can't be serious.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:14pm

I want Michael Greif to win, but Mayer will.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:15pm

bjh2114, I agree with your list as well. However, seeing as Doyle just won with Sweeney and his "concept," I doubt he will win this year (although he certainly deserves it). I would have to say either Greif or Prince will win.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:20pm

Michael Bennett received Tonys for his direction and choreography of ACL 31 years ago. Bob Avian (his original assistant who shared Bennett's Tony for the show's choreography) simply recreated Bennett's staging exactly as it was originally and as such was ruled ineligible for the Tony for Direction (and Baayork Lee who recreated Bennett and Avian choreography is similarly ineligible).

And there's no way in the world that Gary Griffin's pedestrian staging of APPLE TREE will be deemed as meriting a Tony nod.

Updated On: 3/31/07 at 04:20 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:32pm

Muscle- Are you kidding me? Gary Griffin for The Apple Tree should win!?

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 4:49pm

I echo your sentiments exactly, neddy-Greif should win, but Mayer will.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 5:53pm

I'm going to have to go with Mayer this year. Doyle is great but he won last year using basically the same concept.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 5:58pm

To me, it doesn't matter that Doyle won last year, and the similarity in concept is irrelevant to me, because the similarities in the concept go only as far as using the actors as the orchestra and modernizing the production. Doyle did SO much more with Company than just that, and he deserves a Tony more for his work on Company than he did for his work on Sweeney Todd.
Updated On: 3/31/07 at 05:58 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 7:13pm

I'm hoping for Greif.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 7:16pm

I agree completely with bjh's list. I would love to see Mayer or Greif win, and I think it will be down to the two of them.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 11:00pm

Thinking Grief or Prince.

Company didn't have all the hype that Sweeney did. As ww11 said, Company got more mixed reviews. I don't think Mayer will win. Dunno why, just don't.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 1:51am

Love to see Prince win
but since no one has seen it yet
Hard to call
Anyone but Doyle
Loved Sweeney
not so much COMPANY
watch for Ellis to sneak in. Updated On: 4/1/07 at 01:51 AM

[buddharich]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 10:13am

I want Michael Mayer to win for Spring Awakening, but could see Michael Greif winning for Grey Gardens - I don't think either of them have won a tony before? Even when their musicals won the best musical tony... I suspect John Doyle will get another nomination, as will Harold Prince...

[ruprecht]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 12:01pm

I'm going to have to agree with the race being between Greif and Mayer as well, but knowing how things can turn out, I wouldn't be shocked if Prince won.