"Give the theater fans what they want, and at least they can guarantee holding on to THOSE viewers for sure." The theatre fans are going to keep watching no matter what. For us, it's more than just the performances on the broadcast, it's about the awards. We just have louder opinions about the broadcast than non-theatre fans because, well, we visit BWW and ATC and they don't even know these message boards exist.
Every show will put up the bid to perform a number from their perspective show that will be the type of promotional spot that will get viewers to buy tickets. If it was settled that "I Believe" would be performed, then the producers must think it will get viewers to buy tickets. We'll see what they do with it...
As for the Opening Number, it is White Cherry's opportunity to have some fun and show viewers what famous faces are to appear that night. This "Hello!" number sounded PERFECT. They're
IDIOTS to not have gone with it. NPH could still do his medley! Just start with their "Hello!" idea and the final door would be NPH. NPH leaves his dressing room and runs to the stage passing by costumed characters from various shows from this season and finally making his way to the stage where he does his medley. Contract AND fun fulfilled!
I love Neil Patrick Harris. He's a good guy. He's a talented actor. He has a knack for being a host (he's not the best at it and wouldn't be a first choice, but he's still an able host).
I still say they should have gotten Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper to co-host. Both made their Broadway debuts this season and would be a perfect blend of co-hosts.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
