Lackluster Year for Tony's?

Does anyone else think that Broadway has had a bit of a lackluster season? I read the Tony nominations and didn't feel the excitement that I felt last year. Aside from, perhaps, Spamalot, there don't seem to be any breakout shows . Last year, for example, there was so much buzz over the different categories--who might win and who some thought deserved to win but probably wouldn't. I just don't get that feeling this year. Anyone else?

Updated On: 5/18/05 at 04:11 PM

Actually, I think it has been an excellent year for shows. I can't remember seeing as many shows as I have this year and enjoying most of them.

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Any year that brings us something as good as Spelling Bee is more than okay in my book.

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I couldn't be more excited for this year's Tony's. Although there are front runners, you really have no idea who is going to win and that makes it tons more exciting than in previous years, at least to me.
Lackluster doesn't come close to describing what this year's show will be.

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Lackluster? No way! I haven't even seen all the shows but am so impressed by most of what I've seen so far. Of the four musicals nominated, I think any one could take it. This year's Tonys are going to be great fun. I'm so very excited!

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In 1989, "Jerome Robbins Broadway," a review of numbers taken from director/choreographer Robbins Broadway hits,was named "Best Musical". It's only competition that year was another review ("Black & Blue") and a truly horrible show named "StarMites." The Tony Committee actually eliminated the "Best Score" and "Best Book" category completely- "StarMites" would have been the only show eleigible and therefor the defacto winner and the committee couldn't accept that.

Ten years ago, Sunset Boulevard was the ONLY Musical nominated for Best Scor,e and the Best Musical category consisted of it and "Smokey Joe's Cafe"- one of the first 'Jukebox Musicals."

If Little Women had been released either of those years, it could have racked up a half-dozen Tonys. This year, it'll probably be shut out. I guess it's a testimony to the short memories of this board that a year like this one could be seen as Lackluster.

Updated On: 5/18/05 at 05:07 PM

Are you kidding me?

DRS and Light in the Piazza aren't breakout shows? 25th? Are you CRAZY?

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I thought this thread had to be a joke. What planet are you living on? This season was so full of award-worthy shows/performances, etc., that many of us here have been bemoaning the fact that qualified people didn't get nominated. JoeKV is right. Do your homework and you'll see what lackluster really means.

I've seen all of the musicals, and I agree that it is lackluster. Nothing really does it for me this year.

'Lackluster' is defined as 'lacking in vitality' or 'dull'. I really fail to see how a season such as this qualifies on either of those two levels. New, smart work - in both musical and play form - that reaches a diverse demographic and provides so many examples of exemplory product that the award season has been completely unpredictable. What exactly is it that you would want?

it's been a great season for both plays and musicals. also, i might say that we had 18 new productions of straight plays and 14 new production of musicals as well as several solo/special performances and several long running hits. that's a ridiculous statement.

Off topic i know: Isn't it cool that the last show at the Virgina was Little shop with Hunter and now Sutton closed a show at the Virginia? Sorry. Hunter Foster is my role model...seriously.

It's a conspiracy. :)