Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

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Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 1:34pm

With the incredibly weak season we are looking at here, it seems to me that Spring Awakening has gotten the best overall reviews of any of the new musicals. Mary Poppins was lukewarm but too much spectacle, Grey Gardens clearly has act 1 trouble and is more of a thrilling performance than a thrilling musical, Pirate Queen (at least the version I saw in Chicago its closing weekend) is literally a shipwreck, High Fidelity is now a nonentity, and I doubt Legally Blonde is going to shake things up too heavily. So, unless Curtains pulls off an upset are we most likely looking at a Spring Awakening best new musical Tony?

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 01:34 PM

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 1:37pm

I don't think so, because I don't think it has as much touring potential as Mary Poppins or Legally Blonde, etc.

I think it deserves to be the frontrunner, but how often does the BEST musical win Best Musical anymore?

"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars

"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 1:39pm

Well I personally loved the first act of GG just as much as the 2nd act, and to me that is a frontrunner. I liked it overall better than Spring Awakening. But hey, if either of those two win, I'd be happy.

In addition to Curtains, there's also going to be Lovemusik, so maybe that will affect things.

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 1:43pm

I highly disagree on this being an incredibly weak season. So far we already have 2 very good shows (spring awakening and GG) and with many shows planning on opening in the spring (most excited abotu Curtains and Lovemusik) this could actually be an exciting year.

Also the reviews for GG on broadway were about the same as spring awakening and currently has much more momentum behind it (which could change by may).

"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo

"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q

"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 1:44pm

At this point I think Grey Gardens probably is. You never know though, the Tony Awards are sometimes big shakeups.

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:03pm

The fact [or notion] that Spring Awakening won't tour as easily MEANS it should win the Tony. The TONYs are all bullsh*t politics. Why do you think Avenue Q won? The producers announced a tour and the voters thought THAT would need the TONY boost more than Wicked when on tour.

Well, that was one rumor at least, and it certainly sounds plausible. Whether or not you want to believe it.

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:08pm

"Also the reviews for GG on broadway were about the same as spring awakening..."

I think you need to re-read those reviews.

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:14pm

The Grey Gardens reviews were nowhere near as universally positive as the Spring Awakening reviews.

I'd give something more high profile like Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, or Curtains better odds at winning Best Musical.

"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars

"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:15pm

Grey Gardens' reviews basically praised Ebersole and Wilson but pointed out the flaws within the musical itself. They were nowhere near the universal praise-like reviews of Spring Awakening.

I can't comment on which show could possibily win Best Musical, seeing as it's six months until the Tonys and I have yet to see many of the new offerings but I would't be surprised if neither Grey Gardens nor Spring Awakening won. I don't see either of the shows being marketable in the red states, and I don't see them touring well either. (Well, maybe Spring... would do well on the road but I doubt Grey Gardens would.) But stranger things have happened. I also doubted there would be a Piazza tour.

A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 02:15 PM

#10

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:20pm

in my mind this season kicks last season's ass.

for fierce, fabulous and fun times visit eric mathew's world. http://ericmathew.blogspot.com/

#11

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:23pm

Of definitely theaterdude. This season is certainly lightyears better than last season.

A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 02:23 PM

#12

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:49pm

This is one of the most uncertain Tony seasons in recent history. Who knows how it will turn up? Look at all the new and revived musicals of the season:

-Curtains
-Grey Gardens
-High Fidelity
-How The Grinch Stole Christmas
-Legally Blonde
-LoveMusik
-Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me
-Mary Poppins
-The Pirate Queen
-Spring Awakening
-The Times They Are A Changin'

Of these eleven shows, only 4 can be nominated. That's nearly a third. And I think I forgot an incoming show!

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#13

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:53pm

Darling, I know a season is weak when everything that's coming to Broadway seems like complete crap. That's what I went through last season (however, I was greatly surprised with the shows that were nominated for Best Musical. I also really wanted to see Sweeney Todd). It seemed like every time I went on Broadway.com, one of the many musicals that had opened that season had posted a closing notice. With Spring Awakening, I have not been so excited for a show since Spamalot. I see Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens getting nominated. The latest flops, no. The stuff that's yet to open, time, reviews, and box office receipts will tell.

Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you. --Cartman: South Park ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."

#14

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 2:59pm

Mary Poppins is a gazillion trillion times better. Disney always has better shows than everyone else, no different this time.

#15

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:01pm

thats coming from someone who has belle on their avatar.

for fierce, fabulous and fun times visit eric mathew's world. http://ericmathew.blogspot.com/

#16

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:04pm

I didn't like Mary Poppins in London. I thought it got pretty mediocre reviews here. Is it really in the running for best musical?

#17

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:04pm

Mary Poppins is not a very good show AND it didn't get very good reviews. I'd be very surprised if it was even nominated for Best Musical.

EDIT: Even compared to other Disney musicals, I feel it's weak. BATB and The Lion King are both far better.

". . . POP . . ."

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 03:04 PM

#18

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:22pm

Well we have yet to see if Grey Gardens or Spring Awakening can survive the dead months in January/Febuary. Neither of them have heavy running costs, but we'll see how they do. If they close, then there goes their chance at a Tony. And you never know, Tony voters seem to enjoy upbeat fluff over dramatic prose (Ragtime vs. Lion King / Spam vs. Piazza), so Legally Blonde might have some kind of pull if it's enjoyable, same with Pirate Queen.

#19

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:24pm

I still see GREY GARDENS as the one to beat. Including Best Score.

#20

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:25pm

I think Spring Awakening is definitely more likely to win than Grey Gardens-the Tony voters will probably give Ebersole and maybe Wilson acting awards and then feel that they don't need to recognize the show any more than that. Spring Awakening's reviews were much more well-rounded, with praise for many different aspects of the show. I think Curtains will be a big contender, though. First of all, it looks really fun and I've heard many good things about it. Secondly, if the voters don't want to give the award to shows like SA and GG that might not make much money but they don't want to sell out and give it to another Disney musical, Curtains seems like a good middle ground because it has more tourist potential than SA and GG and more intelligence than Mary Poppins. (Although, to be honest, I don't think Mary Poppins is that bad.)If I had to put the shows in order of likelihood of winning best musical, I would say:
Curtains
Spring Awakening
Mary Poppins
Grey Gardens
LoveMusik
Pirate Queen
Legally Blonde
Granted, I haven't seen four of those, so those predictions might change.

#21

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:29pm

Considering Lovemusik, Curtains, Legally Blonde, and The Pirate Queen haven't opened yet, I'd say a lot of things are up in the air.

#22

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:34pm

For the last time (I pray this finally sinks in) GG will not close before the Tonys. No matter how well it does or doesn't do during the winter months, it will not be closing. These producers will not close it before the Tonys. Fact. Period. Done.

johnraymondbarker.com

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 03:34 PM

#23

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:52pm

What it is really going to come down to, and what makes this entire discussion irrelevant, is which shows end up being nominated. As CapnHook said, we have a ton of new musicals this season. We can sit here and say MARY POPPINS has the best touring potential and therefore has the best shot, but if the nominating committee (25 New Yorkers who could care less about touring potential) does not choose it, then it's out of the running. Period. This is still so completely up in the air. I think we will be able to have a much more focused discussion on the frontrunner for Best Musical once the nominees are announced. Until then, let's just enjoy the new musicals as they come in.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 03:52 PM

#24

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 3:59pm

CURTAINS would have to be beyond awful in order to not secure a nomination, and we all know why.

Some of these shows have been seen out of town or in smaller NYC venues, and some are open already, but yes, not enough have been seen at all for us to make assumptions.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 03:59 PM

#25

re: Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

Posted: 12/20/06 at 6:02pm

"Mary Poppins is a gazillion trillion times better. Disney always has better shows than everyone else, no different this time."

Get off the boards. Spring Awakening did get raves but, I have heard equally amazing things about GG. I like SA a lot and want it win. I think SA it will win.

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 06:02 PM

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