Jerry Herman tribute on Tony broadcast

[sccates]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 4:22pm

Just read on another site that one of the performers involved in the Jerry Herman medley is saying that it is being eliminated. Apparently the network felt the need to cut this from the broadcast. Has anyone else heard of this?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 4:40pm

I follow WALL-E's Twitter page and he hasn't mentioned it.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 4:43pm

The Herman tribute has been canceled.

Were this 1985, that might actually be news.

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

P.S. Hell, Edward Albee didn't even get his award during the telecast and Steve didn't even bother to show up to accept his.

[nealb1]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 6:32pm

Why was the Jerry Herman tribute cancelled?

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 6:42pm

Oh no!

[Rudy2]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 6:51pm

This is a pure atrocity. I was looking forward to this. He deserved this tribute. This is such an embarrassment.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 6:51pm

I just spoke to Jerry. If it has been cancelled, he doesn't know about it.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 6:59pm

I actually didn't believe it when I heard it either and they have until Sunday to reconsider so post your dislike and maybe they'll change their minds because, despite my many misgivings, it is truly heartbreaking to hear that the touring companies of JERSEY BOYS and LEGALLY BLONDE are taking its place.

Apparently, Wall-E is now a "presenter" and with that some allusion will be made to Herman and that's about it.

As much as I find it woefully out-of-date that he is presented with this award 25 years too late (if at all), with the events since the announcement I was hoping a tribute to Bea Arthur from Lansbury would be an appopriate way to commemorate Herman's legacy and their best work together (MAME), a Carol/Angela "Bosom Buddies" or something short and sweet and sentimental (the traits Herman is known for best).

P

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 7:13pm

After the ATROCIOUS lifetime achievement award "tributes" they have done recently, NOW they're gonna take the easy way out?? I mean, if they pulled together another pile of ****, then I'm GLAD it's cancelled. I just hate that it had to happen to Jerry Herman, assuming it's true.

Anyone remember Howard McGillin as the Phantom when he was off-sync with his audio track?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 9:10pm

The worst directed tribute I have EVER seen on an awards show... McGillin's to Prince... was also the first time a DIRECTOR, and most Tony-Award-winning person, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Implicit irony notwithstanding.

When they cut Albee out of the ceremony and played a 5 second clip of his (shockingly) touching speech is the moment the TONYs stopped being about theatre, then Hugh and Aretha misappropriating "Somewhere" as a tribute to the music (?) and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim drove the final nail in the coffin.

The moment CONTACT won best musical (over THE WILD PARTY no less) is the moment I stopped believing the Tonys mean anything to anyone besides producers, even someone who loves the theatre as much as me.

I guess 1984 will remain the best Tony broadcast and, mark my words, the show won't even be televised on CBS in a few years.

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[A Director]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:31am

They should cancel Liza's number and do the Herman tribute.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 1:33am

Apparently Liza is only performing in the opening.

[alterego]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:33am

For me this was to be the highlight of the ceremony. I'll be watching Monday morning (Melbourne time) and hope to God it is there.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:15am

If the tribute is indeed eliminated, then it's a crime on several different levels because they've brought Jerry to NYC several days earlier for rehearsals, etc. I'll bet all of this is because of "playing time".

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:00pm

I just got off the phone with Jerry. They did NOT scrap the tribute. They've changed it. Instead of live singers performing a medley of Herman tunes, they will now show film clips of the original performances. Jerry feels it will be a "richer" experience for the audience who will be able to get a sense of what the original shows were like. He's thrilled about it.

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 05:00 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:36pm

BTW: I sense that Jerry himself might be responsible for the change.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:24pm

bump

[jv92]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:29pm

Well, it's a relief some sort of tribute is still schedualed to be on the program.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 8:34pm

Dollypop, thanks for the info....so glad to hear that it's back in in some form or another.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 10:02pm

Thanks for the update Dollypop. Looking forward seeing the clips.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 10:20pm

I'm visiting with Jerry tomorrow. I may have even more information to share afterwards.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 10:26pm

"Anyone remember Howard McGillin as the Phantom when he was off-sync with his audio track? "

Yes, that was one of the sadest things ever! They should have just cut it.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 6/5/09 at 12:44am

how bout the sondheim tribute with the random silent extras dressed as assorted characters(sweeney todd and lovett etc.)? That was pretty damn awkward.