Grade the Tony performances- Page 2

[pupscotch]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 3:36pm

Opening: A-, I thought it was wonderful and made a musical theater nerd very happy. However, my family were not as big a fans because they didn't know all the shows referenced.

School of Rock: B, There was an audible thump in the number, and I wonder if it was a sound problem, because Alex Boniello did a similar thing later and nothing happened. However, the song itself was good, but didn't make me want to see the show.

Shuffle Along: B+, I thought the performance was good, and really highlighted Savion's wonderful choreography (which he should have won a Tony for!!!), as well as the leading players. However, the number didn't give you a good idea of what the show was about.

Fiddler on the Roof: B-, The number was good, but if they wanted to highlight the choreography they should have done L'Chaim.

She Loves Me: B+, I loved all the numbers they showcased, they just didn't blend well together. 

Spring Awakening: B+, The number sounded great, but the camerawork was sloppy. Focus on the signers, not the singers!

On Your Feet: C+, I thought it was fine and Ana is really talented, but Gloria Estefan sang most of the number! I believe she detracted from the performance, and overall it did not make me want to see the show.

Bright Star: B+, I thought it sounded great, just a little bland.

The Color Purple: A, Cynthia Erivo KILLED that number, and Danielle, Heather, and the whole cast were fantastic as well. That number exuded energy and made me want to see the show again!

Hamilton: B, The number was good, but it didn't translate well to the Tony stage and I just don't think it was the best choice, as none of the THREE Tony winners were prominently featured.

Waitress: A, Jessie Mueller was FANTASTIC. One of the previous posters said she looked like she was about to have a baby right on the stage: Jenna does go into labor right after singing the song, I believe, so it's sort of the point.

Hamilton, Again: B, Totally unnecessary, and a little bit obnoxious to the other shows.

 

[daisybeetle]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 3:39pm

The worst was Edie Brickell singing "Tomorrow".

[TexanAddams18]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 3:43pm

^^This

[laurabenantilover]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 5:27pm

OPENING: C+      I liked it and thought it was fun, but the tune was not catchy. I still have "Bigger" and "Not Just For Gays" stuck in my head, but I barely remember this years opening tune. I watched it yesterday!

SCHOOL OF ROCK: B      I really liked this performance. I would give it a B+, but my only complaint is that when I saw the show, they brought out the funny moments more. I remember in the stylist moment, everyone was laughing at the show. Not this time, though.

SHE LOVES ME: B-       It is really sad for me to say this, since I adored the show, but I was not impressed with this performance. The only person I think did AMAZING was Laura. They did not showcase Jane (she didn't even talk) and the medley was awkward. Poor showing!

SHUFFLE ALONG: A-        I loved this performance!  It was fun, upbeat, and in my opinion really showcased the show. My only complaint is complaint was they did not show us the fabulous Adrienne Warren at all.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: C-     Oh good where do I start. This performance was very underwhelming. Way too much dancing, practically no singing, and I don't want to see the show now. I left having no idea what the plot was, or even what the show was like. Terrible job.

BRIGHT STAR: B      I was so excited to see this performance, since I am seeing the show in a week. Though slightly underwhelming, I thought it was a solid performance. I left knowing what the feel of the show was, and I loved Steve Martin on the banjo.

SPRING AWAKENING: A-     I was hyping myself up for this performance, and it succeeded my expectations. Fabulous. No other words can describe it. The only thing I would say is the transition between songs was kind of awkward. Good job!

ON YOUR FEET: B-            I went into this ready to hate it, and it was overall okay. I thought how much hey included Gloria was great, but Ana Villafañe was off her game. Also Josh Segarra was depressing. Overall a okay performance.

THE COLOR PURPLE: A         Cynthia Erivo! That is all I have to say.

HAMILTON: C+         Not there best showing. Transition was awkward. Bold move did not work.

WAITRESS: A         I left this crying. That speaks for itself.

 

 

 

 

 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 5:46pm

School of Rock: B+

Shuffle Along: B

Fiddler on the Roof: C+

She Loves Me: A-: I thought the medley worked. The transitions were clean

Spring Awakening: B+, wish they chose another combo or just did Mama Who Bores Me

On Your Feet: B-

Bright Star: B+, Everyone sounded great, but I don't get why they chose this song

The Color Purple: A. Though this production is great (still think She Loves Me should have won), I'm not a huge fan of the show. This performance, however, will sell tickets

Hamilton: B. my favorite number in the show, but it was awkward here. It felt sloppy. In the Theatre it is great, but If I saw this performance having not seen the show, I wouldn't get the hype. 

Waitress: A- Not a fan of this show at all. Truly one of the blandest I've ever seen. I thought the performance was great though, Jessie Mueller is giving a fantastic performance and the camera loves her. 

Hamilton, Again: B- We get it, it won. 

[bway1497]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 6:15pm

School of Rock:B-: I warmed up to it as it finished, but I really just think it is a lousy song, lyrically speaking, so that really hindered the number for me. 

Shuffle Along:A-: I loved this! It was messy and disjointed, but that completely heightened the energy and creativity of the song for me. Weird, wacky and wonderful, especially the loopy "rapping" sections. 

Fiddler on the Roof: B-: Certainly didn't hate it as much as everyone else, though I was a little bewildered that they decided not to do the bottle dance. I thought the "Sunrise, Sunset" section was pretty gorgeous, especially the strange camera angle at the start.

She Loves Me: C: With the exception of Laura, the performances were a shaky. I don't mind medleys if there is a cohesive concept throughout, and I thought that "A Trip To The Library/She Loves Me/Vanilla Ice Cream" would have felt less disjointed: three solos, not a group number and two solos.

Spring Awakening: B+: I thought it definitely captured the feel and concept of the show, although I would have added in the up-tempo "Mama Who Bore Me" in between.

On Your Feet: C: Merely serviceable. Gloria was neither here nor there.

Bright Star: B+: I liked this song here a lot more than I did in the show, and the performance was probably one of the most polished of the evening, but it was a strange choice.

The Color Purple: A-:  Polished and everyone was in fine voice. However, I would've have much rather have seen all of "I'm Here" in place of the medley style. I still think back to performances like "Caroline, Or Change" or "Fun Home" and remain moved by their sole character singing a full song on the broadcast. Still, it sold the show and it's energy exceptionally well.

Hamilton: A-: I haven't seen the show, but I found this one exciting and vibrant. I'm not a fan of the song on the album, but I thought it came across really well here.

Waitress: B-: Jessie Mueller was raw and in fantastic voice, but I detest when composers join the performance. It feels way too disjointed and out of place, and then with the awkward medley format on top of it all, it just felt too messy.

Hamilton, Again: D: Completely unfair. Celebratory of "Hamilton" and not the season as a whole. I think having the Obamas was enough of a pat on the back for the show, we didn't need this. Although Adrienne Warren singing along in the audience was adorable!

[Mike66]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 6:53pm

If the point of the performances is to sell tickets, then this is how it impacted me.

 

SHE LOVES ME:  Nope.  Too little of anything in particular, and the sommersault was just dumb, and caused us to miss a few notes of the song.  Why do the "intro" to "ice cream" without any context.  She looked stupid standing there staring at the Chinese take out box.  (BTW - I loved the show)
 

COLOR PURPLE:  Yes.  I'd wait in line to hear her sing.  (Although I couldn't understand the camera angle that kept looking in her mouth.)  The other parts could have been jettisoned entirely, except that they wanted to use the co-stars for a few notes.  (BTW -- Thought the show was the second best on Bway this year).

 

FIDDLER:  No no no.  I saw the original production, and was very interested to see if anything shown would pique my interest.  It didn't.  Again, part of it was the camera angles on the dance.  I will never understand why television insists on "changing the angles" that an audience in a theatre sees.  The creatives spend months/years figuring out how it will look from the audience -- not from a sky cam.  This one was just a fail for me.

 

SCHOOL OF ROCK:  Sorry, no.  ALW made a fortune on melody, I didn't hear any last night.  I would have loved to see the kids actually play -- that's what I was hoping for.  I don't think anyone got more than 6 notes.  It was all disjointed and dumb.

 

 

BRIGHT STAR.  YES!  -- actually, I've been rooting for this, and I was hoping that I would like it.  I did!  Even if (as others have said) the song itself is awfully repetitious.  Same phrase, over and over again.  But the staging was attractive, and the melody was charming.  Hope it stays open long enough to come in and see it.

 

SHUFFLE ALONG.  Meh.  So much talent, but I didn't get a feel for it.  Still, it was "good enough" to remind me that it's worth seeing -- planning to visit when AMD returns.

 

ON YOUR FEET -- Surprisingly, YES.  I look down my nose at Jukebox musicals, and Estefan was never high on my list.  But it looked like fun -- as someone else said "A nice summer guilty pleasure."  I'll attend not looking for much except the popping and hopping and I'll leave with a smile.  It wont stick to my ribs -- but not everything has to.

 

WAITRESS.  No, sadly.  And I have tickets for August....  (Anybody want to swap for Bright Star?)  The piano solo was exquisite.  JM's cover was grating.  And the first part was just so "trite" I couldn't stand it.  Yuck.  I really wanted to like it -- I AM invested, as might be said.

 

HAMILTON.  OMG.  Again.  Seen it, seeing it again, want to keep seeing it.  Every time I get a look I see more and hear more (and I've worn out the book and the CD, and still).  I'm sure it doesn't need to sell any tickets, but I'm still not tired of it.  And so happy that they ended with the NY Lullaby, even if the sound was screwy.

 

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 7:08pm

I honestly thought Jessie Mueller had the hiccups.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 7:16pm

While Spring Awakening, Bright Star, and She Loves Me weren't the best they could be, overall, I absolutely loved the entire show. A sonnet for an acceptance speech... I'm still reeling for the wonderfulness of that.

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 7:21pm

Pre-Tonys so many of the cast members posted videos of the cast singing Wait For It with captions that said they were rehearsing for the Tonys...then the show comes and they only do Yorktown. I wasn't surprised but really thAts all y'all got to offer for the TONY AWARDS? 

[romain2]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 8:18pm

Opening: B-

SHE LOVES ME: B+

THE COLOR PURPLE: A

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: B+

SCHOOL OF ROCK: B

BRIGHT STAR: B

SPRING AWAKENING: B+

SHUFFLE ALONG: A-

ON YOUR FEET!: B-

HAMILTON: A

WAITRESS: B

HAMILTON FINALE: B

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 8:22pm

My wife wanted to see Waitress. After seeing their Tony performance , her enthusiasm has waned. .Re Hamilton, she was less than impressed as well.

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 8:44pm

Opening: B+. It was cute and I really enjoyed the nominees joining Corden.

SHE LOVES ME: B. I love this show so so so much but that medley was weak because unfortunately, there's not enough ensemble numbers in the show so I guess that was their only option.

THE COLOR PURPLE: A+. I thought this was the strongest performance of the night. The heart Cynthia puts into that song...So good. Also, I need to see Heather Headley as Shug. Ben Brantley wasn't lying when he said you make a show better by putting Heather in it.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: D. I was really disappointed in their choice of song and since it had to be shortened, the dancing wasn't as joyous and wonderful as I had perceived it to be when I saw the show.

SCHOOL OF ROCK: B. I actually really liked their performance. Alex Brightman is a star and those kids are entertaining.

BRIGHT STAR: B-. One of my favorite shows of the season but the wrong choice of song. I would have loved a medley of Way Back in the Day into Whoa, Mama. The camerawork for the performance was outstanding though. That 360 shot of Carmen...

SPRING AWAKENING: D. Most disappointing. I made sure to put my hatred of Ken Davenport aside to appreciate their performance but that was just a waste of half the cast and didn't actually show why this revival was so special.

SHUFFLE ALONG: A+. My absolute favorite performance of the night. It made me want to see the show a million more times. Savion's choreography is incredible.

ON YOUR FEET!: C. It was good but I don't really have strong feelings towards the performance. Emilio's introduction made me appreciate it a little more though.

HAMILTON: A. My favorite number in all of Hamilton and I'm so happy they did this. 

WAITRESS: B-. Underwhelming. Jessie was fantastic but I didn't need Sara to perform and I don't really care for the finale over the opening and wish they'd done that instead.

HAMILTON FINALE: A. I loved seeing The Schuyler Sisters in modern dress. My god, they are all so stunning.

 

Overall I was happy with the performances but I could have done without Hamilton opening the show, having the longest performance, and closing the show. All the other shows probably already feel second best to them...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 8:50pm

Give that person a gold star.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 8:53pm

illiniparkie said: "

Waitress:  B.  I enjoyed the opening number and Sara's solo at the piano.  Unfortunately, to me, Jessie did not come across well in her big solo.  Honestly, she looked like she was in pain and about to have the baby right there on stage.
"

Fun fact: that's exactly the context of the song.

[bryan]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 9:37pm

hamltion c- it was not my cup of tea

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:00pm

SHE LOVES ME: C

THE COLOR PURPLE: A+

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: C+

SCHOOL OF ROCK: B-

BRIGHT STAR: A

SPRING AWAKENING: C

SHUFFLE ALONG: B+

ON YOUR FEET!: D

HAMILTON: B

WAITRESS: B+
 

[tja928]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:06pm

She Love Me: C- (Love the show, but the medley was just a mess. Levi also sounded off)

The Color Purple: A+++ (blew the roof off!)

Fiddler on the Roof: C (eh)

School of Rock: B

Bright Star: B+ (grade primarily for song choice, A for cusack)

Spring Awakening: C (eh)

Shuffle Along: B- (performance felt all over the place, but A for Audra)

On Your Feet!: F (at least they looked like they had fun)

Hamilton: C (ok we get it)

Waitress: B- 

And bonus points for Andrew Lloyd Webber on the tambourine, maybe if this whole composing gig doesn't work out...

Updated On: 6/13/16 at 11:06 PM

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:03am

1. I think The Color Purple's medley was the most well crafted in terms of the vocal arrangement and choreography/staging. And with Cynthia's emotional powerhouse performance it seems like everything you would want in a Broadway musical. This might be around for the next few years because of their Tony Performance...A+
*strange that Jennifer Hudson wasn't there at all. Was she filming or touring? Heather Headley looks fabulous and would be a great reason to revisit the show.

2. I thought Waitress did a great job of informing an audience of everything they didn't know about it. From Kerri Russell announcing it with her stamp of approval, to using the even more rousing reprise of Opening Up showing that this is a going to be a fun night at the theater, then bringing in Sara so they know a pop star wrote the score (they didn't really need her though), and finally transitioning to a stunning performance by Jessie Mueller that showed why she is an in demand leading lady in the American theater. Her choices are all informing the story. She is never singing, she is always speaking on pitch in character. Combined with what I think is the most striking cinematic trick in the show and the most effective stage picture of the Tonys this year when the dark stage opens up to her singing under a gigantic country sky on a lonely street. Audiences will think they are getting it all here...B+

3. Bright Star finally used Steve Martin to help get the word out. Producers have done a terrible job linking him to the show.  The staging didn't really help an unknowing audience understand what this show is. A love story and a baby are the easiest way to entice an audience too...missed opportunity. But Carmen Cusack gets vocal of the night for If you knew my story...seriously gorgeous singing that will get people interested In this show...C+

4. Spring Awakening looked the most theatrical. It made the show look really special and unique. One wonders if they had come in the spring instead of last fall if they would have gotten more press and had  bigger success ( I know part of them coming at all was being there in the fall, so it's hard to say). Th Points for adding another layer of diversity to the Tony Awards this year...B-

5. Shuffle Along looked strange, not sure people will get what they are selling here. I think people will be interested in seeing it based on Savion's choreography though. It looked wonderful. I don't know what will happen once Audra leaves, she's the draw here...C-
6. Hamilton hardly needs a boost but I think once again, like at the Grammys, the show looks confusing. Lin again looked tired. The set looks a bit dull, the dancing over choreographed and tacky, You just end up scratching your head. I think a problem is that The show covers an enormous ground of action and location so it's very hard to just do one number out of context. It works very well when you see the whole show. I think they chose the wrong number though. Highlighting Leslie Odom Jr. would have been the smarter thing to do with Wait For It...arguably the most modern and beautiful song in the show. This just made it look like a confusing mess and it's not. The energy of the piece was felt though and that is contagious.....C+

7. Kudos to Fiddler for not falling back on the songs we've seen dozens of times in the Tonys. I thought sunrise sunset ( the best part of this otherwise meh revival) made it look beautiful and the new choreography was showcased well. It really is the star of this production...C+
*the bigger issue is that this musical has just been over produced over the passed four decades and I don't think tourists really care about it. 

    8. Hard to comment about School of Rock. It's based on popular movie, it has a cast of cute talented kids and Loyd Webber is connected...people are going to buy tickets.  I thought Alex looked good, but the number was a snooze fest, repetitive and all formulaic. Theater people won't be so turned on...C-

9. She Loves Me is so much better than what they showed. It just Looked like they were trying to cover way too much ground. They didn't need Jane and Gavin in the number as a duet at all. And they didn't showcase the Tony award winning set well which was perplexing.  They could have gotten everyone in the cast in by starting with a number in the shop and then focusing on the solos of the main love story...ice cream didn't work because we didn't see the scene with him giving it to her. Will he like me would have been so much better and Laura does it wonderfully. Then end the number with them all coming together. We would have gotten that this is cute charming old fashioned love story....D

 

[BroadwayMan5]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 1:37am

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: C-     Oh good where do I start. This performance was very underwhelming. Way too much dancing, practically no singing, and I don't want to see the show now. I left having no idea what the plot was, or even what the show was like. Terrible job.
 

 

 

 

 

 

"

Do you not know the plot to Fiddler?

 

I don't disagree that it was a bad performance but the plot should be the least of concerns for a show like Fiddler on the Tonys