Biggest Tony Shockers In History- Page 2

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:17pm

The Avenue Q win was a shocker primarily because Millie had beaten Urinetown, allegedly because tour producers believed they could tour Millie if it was "Best Musical" but nothing was going to help them tour Urinetown. So, there was a need for Millie to win.

The Avenue Q producers realized the makeup of the Tony voters and put on a huge campaign against Wicked - about voting for the best show, and not the best one to tour - that it didn't matter if Avenue Q couldn't tour successfully. As it turns out, Wicked really hasn't been hurt too much by not winning Best Musical, or so I hear .

As for how Urinetown can win best book, best score and best direction but not musical - well, it happens in other areas as well. I think Network won best direction, best actor, best actress, best supporting actress, best screenplay, but Rocky was best film. At least Millie won two acting awards.

[morosco]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:34pm

Jerry Herman speaks regarding the supposed feud:

Only a small group of "showbiz gossips" have constantly tried to create a feud between Mr. Sondheim and myself. I am as much of a Sondheim fan as you and everybody else in the world, and I believe that my comments upon winning the Tony for La Cage clearly came from my delight with the show business community's endorsement of the simple melodic show tune which had been criticized by a few hard-nosed critics as being old fashioned. "Old fashioned" is one of my favorite terms, and I was simply saying "thank you for letting me be what I am."
Ask a Star Jerry Herman

[puppet]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:41pm

Donna winning for best actress in the original Chorus Line was detailed in two books about the production: On The Line and What They Did For Love. The cast was always upset that she was treated as the "star" of the show by Bennett and the prodiction staff. She mady more money than the rest of the cast even they they were on an Equity contract that said they each should make the same amount. It is too long to go into here, but it is detailed from the two different sources.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:47pm

Idina Menzel winning over Tonya Pinkins' wonderfully layered performance in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE and Donna Murphy's award-winning/raved-about (she swept all the awards that precluded the Tonys) genius turn in WONDERFUL TOWN.
Bill Irwin (WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?) winning over DOUBT's Bryan F. O'Byrne.
NINE winning Best Musical over DREAMGIRLS (although I believe most people said it was 50/50, many ultimately thought Michael Bennett's show would win)

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:51pm

Donna Murphy played Ruth as a caricature, not right for the part. But Tonya definitely deserved it over Idina.

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:52pm

Sierra Boggess not being nominated.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:53pm

^^^^^^
Seriously? She was good for the part, but there were so many more worthy nominees that year.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:54pm

Usually, "Best Musical" means 'Most Popular Musical Of The Season'. That deffinition has formed in the last 15 years or so. It's really sad.

There are exceptions but that is why SPAMALOT and IN THE HEIGHTS and THE LION KING and CONTACT and THE PRODUCERS and MILLIE and JERSEY BOYS and SPRING AWAKENING won, when they really shouldn't have (compared to the other nominees)... in my opinion.

[SingingCats]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:55pm

It was never shocking the Kelli O'hara lost because there were always such good people nominated, but it still sucks that the girl doesn't have a Tony.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 12:56pm

In the Heights WAS the best musical of the season, artistically and in terms of popularity.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:00pm

Honey, In the Heights got mixed to negative reviews, and before the Tony it wasn't exactly making a trillion dollars and was on TKTS every night. Passing Strange and Xanadu had critical acclaim that a new musical hasn't seen for a while.

Updated On: 9/20/08 at 01:00 PM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:03pm

Wicked_Beast... IN THE HEIGHTS didn't deserve the Tony. And neither does "13" !!

It was a hip hop concert, a high school level Conversational Spanish class, and an overrated overhyped mediocre Telemundo soap opera --- all rolled into one!!

And, presto, we have IN THE HEIGHTS.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:05pm

Wow. Did I mention 13? No. I know it won't win. And all of my post don't have to do with it.

And in my opinion, In The Heights was the best show. Better than the thing we were forced to call a show, "Passing Strange", and it's musical theatre bashing creator.

[dented146]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:09pm

West Side Story losing to anything.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:12pm

Wow. Yes. Passing Strange...

Let's look past the BRILLIANT cast of young african-american actors, the intensely exciting rock score, and a beautifully poetic book that's more "real" than you and your little middle school friends will ever be.

Didn't you just call someone a "closed minded imbecile" on another thread? And here you are, criticizing a show because one of the writers made a comment on a blog. That's pretty closed minded, if I may say so.

That means I should hate TALE OF TWO CITIES because I hate what James Barbour did. Right? Or I should hate IN THE HEIGHTS because Lin-Manuel Miranda was involved in a Cheating scandal at Wesleyan (in his college years)??

Get over yourself. You're too young to be bitter. You will have many years to enjoy the diva bitterness. Go be a normal kid. Play some catch, go to the movies, hang out with your friends from "13".

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:20pm

I think I am on the only one in this thread that likes FOLLIE'S book.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:21pm

FIne. But every word you typed about Passing Strange could be used as a description of In the Heights. Let's try it...

Wow. Yes. In the Heights...

Let's look past the BRILLIANT cast of young latino actors, the intensely exciting spanish laced score, and a beautifully poetic book that's more "real" than you and your little middle school friends will ever be.


And Stew has bashed broadway more than once.

Also, do NOT bring those kids into this. They do NOTHING to you.


And I enjoy my bitterness, it's a good was to let out stress.

Updated On: 9/20/08 at 01:21 PM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:29pm

1) I'm not in middle school, so that aspect doesn't work... I teach kids your age.

2) You're too bitter (as a kid)

3) "Spanish laced" ? I will give you the score. I enjoy MOST of the score but I believe if it weren't for the brilliant arrangements and orchrestrations, which Lin-Manuel is not responsible for, I would really dislike it.

4) The entire cast arent "young latino actors". And I beg to differ.... the entire cast is NOT brilliant, all around. There are weak links. Besides Stew's storytelling, the PS cast is absolutely stunning (all around). No weak links, sweetheart.

5) I don't care if Stew pissed on the side of the Palace or the Gershwin. He's still a wonderfully talented songwriter. He had the ability to bring a new-generation rock show to Broadway which actually had a DEEP book. The show had such a vivid arc and journey.

6) The book to IN THE HEIGHTS is nowhere close to being "poetic" or "beautiful". It's the biggest flaw in the entire show. Really, it's a huge mess. I mean. It's absolutely ridiculous. As I said before... it reminds me of a terrible Telemundo soap opera. Shoot the book author right now. I cringed through every single spoken-word scene. eeek!


Also. I only bring your "13" friends into this because you always insist on bringing them up, in your "13" schilling. I understand you think the young cast is awesome and they deserve respect. But nothing can save them from that sinking ship. It's a f*cking mess.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:31pm

I myself was pretty shocked when Spring Awakening won Best Book of a Musical. I was sure it would be Grey Gardens.

Avenue Q was a huge one too.

And Xanadu not winning anything... well, it's less of a shock than just downright unfair. Same with Piazza not winning Best Musical (or any other show that year not winning for that matter).

~Steven

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:33pm

Wow. I "always" bring them up? Really? In what, ONE POST?

God, this is ridiculous.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:36pm

It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Go out to the park. Maybe a fair or something? A walk to the mall or something? Enjoy the sunlight. If I wasn't swamped in grading papers, I would LOVE to enjoy this wonderful day.

Instead I'm bickering with a "13" schiller/bitter queen in the making, at the age of like 15!

Amazing.

And instead of focusing on our debate of IN THE HEIGHTS, you'd rather bring up the "13" remarks. Ok.
Updated On: 9/20/08 at 01:36 PM

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:39pm

Yeah, the reason I am not outside is that I am swamped with projects from teachers like you who don't give a sh*t about us having lives.

And I am just tired of trying to defend everything.

[fflagg]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:42pm

It's also a lovely day today.

1. the original GYPSY and Ethel winning no Tonys
2. FUNNY GIRL and Barbra winning no Tonys
3. FOLLIES losing Best Musical
4. GREY GARDENS losing to crap like SPRING AWAKENING
5. LA CAGE beating SUNDAY
6. Vivian Blaine losing to Ethel for CALL ME MADAM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:44pm

Schillin' ain't easy, boy.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 9/20/08 at 1:45pm

Ahh, thought I was the only one in the world who's not a big fan of "Spring Awakening!"

I wouldn't be surprised if TDH is actually one of Wicked_beast's teachers in real life.