High School Musical at the Tonys?!?!

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 3:34pm

OK, so I'm in a New York-area local youth theater group that recently put on a production of High School Musical (I wasn't in it). An email was just sent out to members of the group- below is a paragraph.

"Disney Theatricals is looking to cast a group of high school aged students to perform songs from the musical. This is a wonderful opportunity to be seen by Disney and have a chance to rehearse and perform at Radio City Music Hall."
The email goes on to say that this will be at the Tony Awards broadcast, and that we would have to audition to get in.

So what do you think of High School Musical at the Tonys?

[joe5]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 3:37pm

It would be good for ratings. If they save it towards the end of the show.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 3:41pm

I think I remember that time when shows that aren't nominated aren't allowed to perform.

hm...could they also let Legally Blonde perform.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 3:47pm

It wouldn't bring in crazy ratings. Tweens want to watch the movie cast on TV, not a "youth theater group." No point having random people preform HSM songs at the Tonys in a pathetic grasp for ratings...

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 3:48pm

If it was done as a segment saying that more young people are becoming interested in theatre, and then having the high schoolers perform the songs, then that will be great. I would have a problem if they just brought in the tour and/or movie cast.

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 4:00pm

I wish that if they were going to do a High School Musical performance they would bring on the national tour cast. They are such a talented group of people!

[James885]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 4:33pm

If this is just an effort to increase ratings I'd say it's a very poor one. High School and middle school tweens aren't going to turn into the Tony telecast to watch a group of unknown kids sing songs from the movie. They can already see that on the site-that-shall-not-be-named. The ony way kids might tune in is if the cast were to perform on the telecast. And even if they did tune it, it's unlikely they would watch the awards show anyways. Most would probably just TiVo or DVR it and just skip to the HSM performance.

BUT...if they are doing this to showcase youths in the theatre, and not for the ratings, then I say go for it. I'm all for showcasing kids in theatre. Thought I wish they'd pick something else to sing besides HSM!

Updated On: 4/29/08 at 04:33 PM

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 6:29pm

Awful, awful idea. If it's true, then the people who run the Tony's are even more off base then I thought they were.

[oohshizz146]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 6:51pm

That seriously kills me.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 7:07pm

1. last spring I directed my MS kids in this. THEY loved it, the audience loved it...it nearly KILLED me. (My HS kids would have KILLED me!)

2. Good GOD Tony people: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Why should it perform? It's not even a bway show. Shoot me in the head!

[lakezurich]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 7:07pm

I've said it before, and I'll say it again HSM is the Antichrist of Broadway.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 7:10pm

watch kids be disappointed that Hight school musical didn't win for best musical! Lol

[antonijan]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 8:48pm

I had a premonition that HSM will make it on broadway!

[broadwaywriter]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 8:50pm

High School Musical is an evil force. Updated On: 4/29/08 at 08:50 PM

[outdamnwench]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 9:54pm

They did that Alan Menken celebration a few weeks ago with the leads from all the Disney shows. This could be that but on a bigger scale (ie. lifetime achievement award or some bullsh*t like that), with a medley of his big production numbers.

[James885]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:04pm

But Alan Menken didn't write the songs for HSM. If he did I'm sure they would be a lot better.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 3:27am

I hear Miley Cyrus will be singing "I Just Wanna Dance" from Jerry Springer.

[kylestefanie]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 12:03pm

"Good GOD Tony people: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Why should it perform? It's not even a bway show. Shoot me in the head!"


I agree with you it shouldn't be performed but you and I both know that in the next couple of years High School Musical on Broadway is going to open.
URGH!
I also agree with the comment that Tweens dont want to watch a Youth Community Group or whatever performing High School Musical.
Bad Idea Tony People.
Although havn't ratings been falling, this is probably a way to boost them up.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 1:12pm

The Tonys always try stunts like this. It's better than the Tony Bennett idea a few years ago.

While I hated High School Musical as a film, I was dragged th the national tour and I ended up really enjoying the stage production. It certainly liberally borrows from Grease and American Pie, but I actually had a good time. It was staged well, performed well and the choreography was strong. And the audience ate it up. I really don't know why people bitch so much about it other than the fact that they most likely haven't seen the stage production and desperately want to appear "cool". It's not that bad, guys, and after I saw it, I immediately assumed it must be going to Broadway as it would be a HUGE cash cow.

I've no problem with it performing on the Tonys. Personally, I would love to get a peek at some of the touring shows that do not go to Broadway such as the recent Camelot or My Fair Lady productions or the upcoming Dirty Dancing. It could certainly help boost touring ticket sales and it's not as if these shows have no connection to the Broadway musical theatre industry. It's not that big of stretch, people.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 1:38pm

*Some minor thread-jacking* it's also not as though the Tony's are the only award show to have low ratings. The Oscars had it's lowest rated telecast in history this year. I think that most people just aren't as interested in watching some people they've heard of and lot of people that they haven't heard of thank their 6th grade teachers. In general, award shows have become very boring, and now people have 500 channels and 500 hours of tivo to watch instead. Not to mention the fact that if there are one or two funny or memorable moments at an award show, everyone knows that they'll be able to watch them on "the site" the next day. *End of thread-jack* to get back on-topic: While HSM at the Tony's may be inevitable, can't it wait until it's actually on Broadway? Oh, and am I alone in thinking that Mario Lopez will be preforming something?