Is THE COLOR PURPLE still the front-runner to win Best Musical?- Page 2

[TimeSuckage]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 1:11pm

"I think an award should be given to the ppl who actually took time to write a score, good or bad, they should get some kind of recgonition."

A bad score should get recognition just because it's original? My two year old makes up songs all the time, doesn't mean she deserves a damn Tony.

I loved Drowsy Chaperone, but it is a very light and fluffy show. It's funny, it's incredibly charming, it's an absolutely delightful way to spend 100 minutes. Frankly, I think the creators behind Jersey Boys had a much tougher road. I hated the way the songs in Mamma Mia were shoehorned clumsily into the plot and thought the Jersey Boys book writers really avoided that trap. And they also didn't have the luxury of creating an original plot. They were working with two serious restrictions - a true story and existing music - and ended up creating a very entertaining piece of musical theater that feels more original than a lot of other crap I've seen. I think the critical reaction to Jersey Boys was so positive because it took the jukebox musical to a new level, and the bar has now been set much higher for future shows incorporating existing music.

[Director82]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 2:09pm

Indeed Jersey Boys is by far the front runner for Best Musical and should win. It differs from other "jukebox musicals" in that it actually functions as a piece of theatre telling a real and important story as opposed to being an excuse to hear some oldies. Granted the jukebox musical is another testament as to the horrific state of musical theatre, but this one rises above the typical. Color Purple is pretty to look at, but if you were to sit down with the text, especially lyrically, it is EXTREMELY flawed. I am so tired of non-theatrical writers attempting to write songs for musicals. They have no idea about character, arc, action and specificity.

Odds: Jersey boys 90% for the Tony

[jv92]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 2:28pm

Well, if you're praising the bookwriters so much, why not give it best book?

Posted: 2/9/06 at 2:39pm

I feel The Color Purple should win.
I've seen Jersey Boys and loved it.
But no original music, very little dancing, little in the costume area...TCP has all of this...
I fear The Color Purple may suffer the same fate as Ragtime...which I think should have won over Lion King.
Emphasis should be on original music.

Posted: 2/9/06 at 2:55pm

The music in COLOR PURPLE is bland and uninteresting. That's its major flaw.

The tunes in DROWSY CHAPERONE are clever, endearing and quite hummable (Show Off, As We Stumble Along, Toledo Suprise to name a few)

Thank God there's at least something finally to really get excited about come Tony time!

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 2:59pm

I saw The Color Purple in November (In previews 2 weeks before it opened). I feel the that it should be a strong contender for Best Musical and some acting nods even with its few flaws. A lot of people I know had a problem with the pacing of the show. Since they packed so much of the book into the Musical, it at times seems to race by leaving not enough time for the emotion to set in. Although, I hear that people are in tears every night. I was not impressed with Kingsley Leggs as Mister. However, he may have been having an off night. I found that after seeing it and then purchasing the OBCR, I really like the score even more. I now plan to see it agan for that reason and also for the performances. Some of you may be too young to have seen the original production of Purlie. Color Purple conjures memories of that show, which is a favorite of mine. I wish it well at the Tony's and I can't wait to be there at the ceremony to see how it does.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 3:04pm

Hmmm...The Color Purple hasn't really ever been the front-runner, though I don't think Jersey Boys is all the great.

[TimeSuckage]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 4:08pm

"Emphasis should be on original music."

In the best original score category, sure. In best musical, why? Obviously it wasn't a factor when the Tony for Best Musical was given to Jerome Robbins Bway, Fosse, Crazy for You, and Contact. And why should only the music be original? Avenue Q and Contact are the only Best Musical winners of the last ten years to not be based on existing source material or, in the case of Titanic, an actual event. Clearly Tony voters don't place high regard on originality. If they do then everyone involved with Drowsy Chaperone can start writing their acceptance speeches now.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 6:11pm

Hopefully,
Felicia P. Fields will get a Tony nomination. She shines in the Color Purple.
Hell, YES! Updated On: 2/9/06 at 06:11 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 6:22pm

TimeSuckage, I knew someone would take that quote out of context. I didn't mean they should just honor a score because its original, but I don't think Jersey Boys should win for "best musical" when its not really a musical. W/o the songs, the show would still stand. I'm not opposed to giving Jersey Boys best book, but not best new musical. I'm still considering Wedding Singer a front runner. I think its got a good score.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 7:27pm

STILL the front-runner? Honey, it never was the front-runner.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:24pm

Yeah, Color Purple was never a front-runner. And Jersey Boys got much, MUCH better reviews.

I think CP has a decent chance at some design categories, and Shug is a virtual lock for the Featured Actress (as much as I love the Sweeney ladies).

But I think the only way CP will win is if they convince voters that the show will - and it will - do well on the road.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:38pm

But think of the bias! Sure, it'll get nominated, but these Tony bastards hate shows with songs by popular music groups, no matter how much artistic merit they show.
The Color Purple's music is interesting. The lyrics are insipid, I truely think it's between Drousy Chaperone and Wedding Singer. As much as I'd love to see a big, exiting musical drama win, it's gonna be a musical comedy year.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:15pm

After those lackluster reviews in Seattle, Wedding Singer could get left out of the Best Musical race. Nominees might end up being:

The Color Purple
Jersey Boys
The Drowsy Chaperone
Tarzan

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 12:22am

I'm going to TCP on March 1st and JB in April, so I'll be sure to post my opinions then but I think TCP will have one of the strongest campaigns to win Best Musical in a long time and I think it will beat out Jersey Boys. I really hope John Lloyd Young will win Best Actor. I hear he's sensational.

[ThE nEw KiD]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 12:52am

Drowsy Chaperone will win.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 12:59am

I think it will come down to Drowsy, Tarzan and Jersey Boys...

Color Purple and Wedding Singer will gun for the 4th slot, but I think Purple will get in...

[Urban]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 1:54am

You know this time last year nobody was even thinking "Spamalot" would be winning the award and everybody here on this board had it pegged as a race between DRS and LITP.

Now call me a cynic, but I think "The Color Purple" will win not because it is the best, but because the Tony voters suck and think more with their hip pockets then their hearts.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 1:58am

Well, THE COLOR PURPLE is by far the most "sentimental" of the likely nominees, Urban, so if they vote for which ever show "moves" them the most - they'll vote for that.

If they vote with their hip pocket (meaning $) they'll go for TARZAN or JERSEY BOYS.

[Urban]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:03am

Good point with 'Tarzan' (and you're proberly right) but I think Oprah would crush Frankie Valli in term of money any day of the week.
Updated On: 2/13/06 at 02:03 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:12am

Yeah, but only if Oprah is looking to continually take her money and invest in Broadway. She hasn't indicated that her interest in being a Broadway Impressario is anything beyond THE COLOR PURPLE so its not the same "business vote" as investing in Disney or some other company with major Broadway aspirations.

People aren't going to vote for THE COLOR PURPLE just cause its OPRAH...

[Urban]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:25am

Can't argue you with you there. Everything you says makes perfect, logical and good sense. I guess I just am way to much of a cynic these days.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:28am

Trust me - the old cantakerous queens who vote on the Tonys could care less about Oprah, and the people who watch her show could care less about the Tonys are so its a fair trade off.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:41am

Hm, it seems pretty clear to me. If Oprah hosts the Tonys it will be Color Purple. If she does not, it will be Jersey Boys. The real curiosity is where best score and best book will go, because I just don't see any winners!

[Urban]

Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:43am

Thanks for making me feel slightly less cyncial Michael.