Is Spring Awakening the frontrunner for the TONY?

[Theatreboy33]

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

[TheActr97J]

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?

[gumbo2]

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.

[umgeoboy]

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).

[shiksa_goddess]

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.

[sundaymorning6am]

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.

[joniray]

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.

[TheActr97J]

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.

[little_sally]

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.

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

[theaterdude87]

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

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

[little_sally]

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

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

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

[CapnHook]

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!

[Mattbrain]

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.

[Lizzya9]

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.

[theaterdude87]

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

thats coming from someone who has belle on their avatar.

[gumbo2]

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?

[Hanna from Hamburg]

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.

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

[RentBoy86]

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.

[notabb]

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

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

[popculture37]

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.

[gumbo2]

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.

[jrb_actor]

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.

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

[Wanna Be A Foster]

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.

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

[Rathnait62]

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.

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

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

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