Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
#1Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 10:59pm
Can anyone provide the specific details of the rule regarding closed musicals performing at the Tonys?
I was just curious what the exact window of time allotted is between a show closing and still being able to perform on the telecast. Both BIG RIVER and THE APPLE TREE come to mind as recent hows that have been nominated but shut out of performances due to early closings.
The question is relevant this year considering that, if either [title of show] or WHITE CHRISTMAS are able to slip into the Best Musical race, neither are be eligible to perform.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#2re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:01pmI doubt White Christmas will be nominated.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#2re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:03pmI might be wrong, but I don't think it's a matter of eligibility but availability, why would a producer pay to have performers from a show that already closed rehearse and show up for it?
#3re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:03pm
Mr Roxy, I don't think either will (though [title of show] making it in as a dark horse would be a pleasant surprise.)
I'm just citing both as examples pertaining to this year.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#4re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:09pm
If [tos] gets a Best Musical nomination, I'm sure they would perform.
But the producers would likely try to showcase the shows that could benefit from the Tonys and are still running.
I think it also depends. If Chenoweth was nominated for Apple Tree she might have performed.
#5re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:14pm
There are no "rules" that I am aware of. If you are nominated and invited to perform, then it is your option (not obligation) to accept or reject the opportunity to showcase a performance from your production.
In years past, there have been performances by shows which had already closed (ie, SIDE SHOW).
It wouldn't make much sense for a production to perform at the Tonys if they have already closed. It costs money to pay the actors, designers, director, choreographer, etc. You have to construct a new set for the performance (shows cannot remove their set pieces from the theatre, but they can move costumes and props), too, which also costs money.
It WOULD make sense for a closed production to perform, however, if that production were to go on National Tour.
--Aristotle
#6re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:22pm
I'd have to think there'd be a big difference between [tos] and White Christmas. White Christmas was a limited run so the producers knew the show would not be running come Tony time. There may have been some sort of stipulation put in the contracts should there be a nomination.
[tos] closed due to ticket sales. The producers hadn't planned on closing so nothing was put in print.
This is just speculation on my part though.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#7re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 12:22amI seem to remember back in ....1996(?), there was a huge fuss because Swingin' on a Star was nominated over Victor/Victoria and Big even though it fan only lasted like two weeks. I think there was another closed show that was nominated as well, but the name escapes me. Anyway, the performed and V/V, Big, and one other show was offer to do short bits (ala Little Mermaid and Catered Affair last year). I know Big accepted, but it was quite a public thing that Julie Andrews banned the Tonys that year because of the treatment of V/V.
#8re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 12:31amI see no reason why [tos] wouldn't perform--it would be very cheap to do (are they required by Equity to be paid, or could the 4 volunteer to do it for free?), plus it's a good investment towards exposure to sell the rights, even if it never tours.
Byron Abens
Broadway Star Joined: 7/17/08
#9re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 1:21am
[title of show] could very easily perform IF nominated. Much like Side Show, where Alice and Emily performed "I Will Never Leave You" wearing the black version of their wedding costumes. It's not too hard or expensive to rehearse a handful of actors to do a song when having even a Tony nomination and some national exposure would be beneficial in helping the show to have a future life in regional stagings.
White Christmas could also conceivably perform something (though I think the odds of that getting a nomination are slim to none). That show is packed in storage to be sent to whatever cities they are planning on putting it up in each year, and there are enough different cast members from the various companies that they could easily assemble enough to do one of the various production numbers ("Blue Skies" or "I Love a Piano" are the ones I think would showcase the choreography best without feeling out of season) with minimal rehearsals.
And to answer TonyVincent, I cannot see Equity allowing them to do it without being compensated in some way, even if they wanted to.
#10re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 8:00amThe first time I remember seeing a closed show perform at the Tony's (not the first time it ever happened, just the first that I saw) was Dorothy Loudon , in front of a curtain, sang 50% from "Ballroom". She was electric.
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#11re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 8:49amHallelujah, Baby had been closed for months and, not only was nominated for but won the Tony for best musical because the competition was vile (Golden Rainbow, How Now, Dow Jones, and, I think, The Happy Time -- not sure about the last). I recall that they did do an number on the show. Not only did it take best musical, but also Best Actress (Leslie Uggams), Best Supporting Actress, and best score (only time that Jule Styne ever won).
#12re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 8:50am
I might be completely wrong... but didn't they change the rules sometime in the past few years?
In the back of my mind I seem to remember some sort of fuss where Big River couldn't perform because they were closed - and they were going on tour and really could have used the tv time...
And I remember thinking, wait... closed shows used to perform all the time....
Honestly I have no idea but that's what is stuck in my brain.
ThankstoPhantom
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
#13re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/1/09 at 9:42amLea...you are correct. For the sake of the Telecast, it was decided during this decade that no closed nominee may showcase on the Telecast.
#14re: Closed Shows Performing at the Tonys
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:25pm
In the back of my mind I seem to remember some sort of fuss where Big River couldn't perform because they were closed - and they were going on tour and really could have used the tv time...
I think the other excuse used was that they were already on the West Coast rehearsing for the tour, but since I believe since they were only going to do songs with McElroy, Giordano, and Jenkins, it's not like they couldn't have spared the three cast members. I wasn't happy with there just being a B-roll, although it's better than nothing.
Videos