First, you have to understand that it isn't the show itself that is ignored. It's theater.
Theater is an acquired taste. I love Broadway and the theater, so I watch and I come out when I can. Putting tons of stars on as the Tonys as hosts doesn't make it more exciting for me. However, the networks have tried this and it too fails.
The problem is that outside of NYC, and the small group of enthusiasts around the country, theater isn't important. I know those are shocking words for people in the business but its true. People go to movies because theaters are close and generally affordable. Live Theater is a "get dressed, make an evening of it with dinner, spend several days work income for tickets" thing to even people like me. The majority of America's only experience to theater is probably seeing little Harry perform in the school play, and they wouldn't be there even for that if he weren't their son. Even going to movies has become too much of a bother for many people, which is why Netflix is doing so well.
If America sees an award show for movies, they can go out and see it or rent it. If they see an award show for television series, they make a note to set the TIVO to tape an episode. But in watching the Tonys, they might be interested in a musical they see on the program (likely one they have seen no advertising on nor heard anything about prior to the broadcast), but it would mean a trip to New York or waiting years for it to come to their town via a touring company. It would mean as much to the average person not from NYC as watching the "2006 Pulitzer Prize Awards Show." The Tonys will always probably have low ratings.
And, another thing to mention, is that youth, on the whole, don't see things on the show they are interested in. But youth is probably the thing that is needed to keep the show alive. Shows like Rent really are rare. I am 51 myself but I have noticed that when I go to theater, the majority of people are elderly. It's what producers worry about, what to do when that audience dies? And except for someone like Julia Roberts appearing on Broadway, people of all ages who watch the Tonys see the people nominated and think, "I have never heard of them." They have no stake in it, the way they might if it is a favorite film of theirs that has been nominated or an actor they like on screen.
Switching it to January might diminish the audience for theatre even more (based in what I stated earlier about getting tourists interested closer to vacation time). And let's not forget that while to people like you and me award shows (any award show) are about the recognition from their peers, they are also a long commercial to get the average person interested in their product, whether it be a TV series, a record, a movie, or a Broadway show. And when you have their interest, the product better be accessible. For everything on that list, it is available locally or on Amazon or on eBay, but Broadway has to be travelled to in order to see it. It really is that. It's the only thing people have to generally go to another city to see. It would be probably the equivalent for you if there were no Tony Awards show in New York, but rather a show broadcast around the world about awards handed out in Chicago. Would you be as interested? I mean I love the show and that is why this year I am doing what I have always wanted to do, which is coming out to see the show in person and going to the gala afterwards. (Thank goodness for the latter, otherwise from where I am sitting in the audience I will be just seeing most of it on a large screen...which is like being back home watching it on TV. At least at the gala, I can wander about and see the nominated people.)
(By the way, I haven't even factored into any of my postulations above the cost of airfare, NY hotel costs, and theater tickets. All things the average Joe has to think about before seeing a show on Broadway. For myself, I hope to see 4 or 5 shows while in NYC, which means my average ticket, after airfare, etc. is costing me between $400-$500. And that's usually for a discount ticket. If that's not love for the theater, what is?)
Updated On: 5/29/06 at 11:08 PM
