Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
MichaelBennett,
I'm hearing the same kind of buzz about Tarzan. Hwang and Phil Collins are working very very diligently to get this show right and the special effects are apparently eye-popping. The sets and lighting and cast are first rate. I wouldn't be surprised if a big budget spectacle like Tarzan ends up doing well or even sweeping the awards over the more modest shows competing now. The Tony people are very business-oriented, and if Tarzan turns out to be as good as some people are saying, it'll run forever bringing millions to Broadway and the road. Don't think that that won't be a huge factor when the voters are marking their ballots.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
I wasn't too sure initially about getting tickets for TARZAN - but I am glad I did, after reading about the buzz on the show.
Tarzan better be damned good if it sweeps. If not, let's all take over the Tonys. I've had enough of their ****. (I'm kidding about the takeover part. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Don't jump at me, please!)
Broadway Star Joined: 2/7/06
I'm personally hoping that Jersey Boys wins Best Musical and proves that not all jukebox musicals are crap...they can be done very well.
"Jersey Boys" ain't winning - the last thing anyone wants to encourage is more jukebox musicals - not when collectively (exclusing "Mamma Mia" and "Jersey Boys") they have lost millions and millions of dollars on Broadway the last few seasons.
I agree with you Michael Bennett re jukebox musicals, but I think there is a real difference between Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys in that at least Jersey Boys tells a real story while Mamma Mia made up a weak plot built in order to find an excuse for the songs.
Yes, that's true Yankee Girl - And I didn't mean what I said as any "insult" to JERSEY BOYS or its quality - but I really think there is no way in Hell its going to win over some of the other indisputable "book" musicals that are opening this season.
Completely and totally agreed
I agree that we don't want any more lame jukebox musicals with weak plots (there have been enough of them!)--but Jersey Boys is truly more of a rock biography/rock musical than the traditional jukebox genre.
That being said, my money is still on Jersey Boys to take home the Best Musical!
Here are my latest Tony Best Musical Nomination Predictions:
1. JB
2. TCP
3. TDC
4. Wedding Singer or Tarzan...(still too early to say)
Jersey Boys Blog: http://www.jerseyboysblog.com
Jersey Boys Photo Gallery: http://jerseyboysblog.com/gallery/
(For your stage door & other JB-related photos)
If Oprah hosts - TCP is winning best musical....but I doubt she will, because it would be such obvious pandering and I'm not sure she's really all that invested in the show, despite her investment...
If CHAPERONE somehow parlays its success in L.A. to NYC - it could be a dark horse contender, but like I say above - my hunch is that the NY critics aren't going to be as crazy about it. I don't know why, but the entire thing feels like TRIUMPH OF LOVE all over again.I could see the Marquis Theatre ultimately having at least three tenants in 2006...
JERSEY BOYS will get a nod, but few actual votes - and I'll predict that TARZAN will get the last nod, and will win.
Don't let the early TARZAN buzz get'cha...
-- Agreed. I have a hard time seeing Tarzan sweeping the awards.
watch THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING and Michael Arden to creep into the mix
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
We do have to remember that the committee shut out All Shook Up last year - it very easily could have taken noms (at least) for orchestrations, set and Leading Actor (Cheyenne)... the committee's apparent stance on jukebox musicals could hinder Jersey Boys.
The thing is Jersey Boys is the closest jukebox musicals will get to high art so it is bound to get something. ASU was just a flimsy little story with Elvis songs thrown in.
If Jersey Boys is to win musical or even actor we might get more jukebox shows, like everyone has said. Producers will do anything for money and a crappy award.
The Tony people are probably not nominating jukebox musicals because they don't want anymore of them.
Maybe you have it backwards about Jersey Boys encouraging more jutebox musicals. If you have a property such as ASU, won't you be a little less inclined to spend millions to take it to Broadway if the standard has become somewhat higher and you will pale in comparison?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
"Nevermind?" That's the Nirvana jukebox musical starring Barry Williams, right?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
Best Musical:
Jersey Boys
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Wedding Singer
Tarzan
The Color Purple
Best Revival of a Musical:
Sweeney Todd
The Pajama Game
The Threepenny Opera
Best Leading Actor:
John Lloyd Young
Micheal Cerveris
Alan Cumming
Harry Connick Jr.(?)
Best Leading Actress:
Sutton Foster
Patti Lupone
Kelli O'Hara
Best Featured Actor:
Daniel Reichard
J.Robert Spencer
Christian Hoff
________________________________________________________________
"The songs are the story, not the excuse for the story."
-John Lloyd Young
Stand-by Joined: 10/18/05
Sadly, I agree with the arguments that Tony voters will have a hard time awarding Best Musical to a jukebox musical, no matter how good it is. I think most theater snobs would like to keep jukebox musicals marginalized as tourist attractions, and the fact that "Jersey Boys" has been both a critical and financial success must be really sticking in their craw. But I don't see how they can avoid awarding "Jersey Boys" Best Book and JLY Best Actor. Those are the two elements intelligent fans agree are driving the show's success.
I think Drowsy Chaperone has a good shot at Best Musical. That it is truly original and not taken from other source material, and that it is both a musical spoof and a love letter to musicals will work in its favor. I don't see Bob Martin beating JLY, but I think he's a lock for a nomination for a beautifully acted performance. And Sutton will definitely be nominated for Featured. Her big number stops the show and it is meant to.
Julia Roberts' nomination is a lock as long as she can walk and talk at the same time. The Tony Committee must be salivating at the prospect of having her at the ceremony and I'm sure she's already been invited to present on the broadcast. Cause we're all starf***ers in the end.
My predicitions:
Best Musical: Drowsey Chaperone
Best Revival Musical: Sweeney Todd
Best Play: Rabbit Hole
Best Revival Play: Three Days of Rain.
*Crossing my fingers also for {Patti!!!}
I just want to know where ALL SHOOK UP is on the list?! huh?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
ALL SHOOK UP was LAST season -- and it got shut out, receiving no Tony nominations.
The ones with a $ are the ones i think will win.
I think best musical:
The Color Purple $
Lestat
Tarzan
Jersy Boys
Best Musical Revival:
Sweeny Todd $
The Treepenny Opera
The Pajama Game
Best Actress in a Musical:
LaChanze $
Laura Benanti
Patti LuPone
Carolee Carmello
Best Actor in a Musical:
Hugh Panaro $
Harry Connick Jr.
Michael Ceravis
would love panaro getting a tony
Ok I'm gonna say it, and mark my words if it happens I am never gonna let anyone forget it.
Best Musical Winner: Lestat
Also even if it does flop (which it won't) I will be shocked if Lestat doesn't win Sets and Costumes because they are really frickin incredible.
And another vote to Manoel for Supporting. =)
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Yeah... Hugh winning a Tony would be pretty incredible. *crosses fingers*. But he's got rather stiff competition this year, especially with Cerveris and JYL. Well see...
I know that Lestat has this "negative energy" around it, but I'm hoping that it could be the dark horse this season and surprise the pants off everyone with its new changes. And if not, I'm rooting for Jersey Boys to take it all the way this season! :)
~Rosalynn
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