* New Poll Topic Up! * - TONY THOUGHTS

[Craig]

Posted: 6/6/04 at 11:36pm

How did this year's TONYs measure up? Vote now!

[Pinky]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:37am

I know the Tony's don't have the biggest audience...but why so much coverage of SJP, Nicole Kidman, & Renee Z. I love them all, but they had their TV time at the Oscars and the Gloden Globes!!! I guess I'm just mad I didn't see Norbert Leo Butz or ANYONE actually on Broadway who was not nominated tonight. Wouldn't Seth be a great presenter?!?

Other than that, I thought the show was great. Loved the performances. Alittle sad Wicked lost...but Q deserved it just as much. Both shows are great.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:39am

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 12:39 AM

[secondactor]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:47am

I felt bad for Brian Stokes Mitchell and Laura linney, who were up there looking awkward and a little out of place.

I felt sad that Renee, Nicole etc were presenting when there are so many fine actors on Broadway right now that were NOT.

I mean, Renee Z??? What on earth has she EVER done on stage? Shameful.

Happy that Q won, and Mays etc. But overall, the people I was with kept wanting to turn the channel, and I have to admit- I did too a few times.

Ho-hum.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 1:05am

I thought it was a great Tony night. I'm happy with all the wins, particularly Avenue Q, which really made the evening a joy for me. I've already made numerous posts about that, but I'm just basking in the delight of Avenue Q going into the history books as Best Musical of 2004. Bravo.

I'm also happy Henry IV won best play revival. Raisin in the Sun is great because of its wonderful script and great actresses, but this production of Henry IV was a revelation: a 4-hour staging of a history play that's actually riveting? Wow.

I really, really wished they let Big River perform. The clip was great, but I had seen it already and it doesn't replicate the energy of a live performance.

Did Assassins really deserve 5 awards? That's a neutral question; I haven't seen it. But is this another case of "It's Stephen Sondheim so we must shower it with prizes"?

I really enjoyed the entire telecast (though Mary J. Blige was easily skippable). It did feel a bit like an infomercial for Broadway, but I guess it has to, since it IS trying to get people out to see some theatre. The opening number was a blast - Hugh Jackman does some amazing highkicks. He was also a wonderful host: charming, engaging and personable.

Oh, and I loved Sarah Jessica Parker. She's adorable.

Updated On: 6/7/04 at 01:05 AM

[DiRrTy_ReNtHEAD420]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 1:46am

I think that the Tony's overall were good. Iw as so excited when i saw Mary J Blige come out to sing from "A Chorus Line" she was amazing I would love to see her on Broadway..... any thoughts as in what role?

[onlylisab]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 1:48am

I am THRILLED for Idina Menzel and Audra McDonald...they are both amazing women. I am so very proud of them and they made my night.
I LOVED Defying Gravity...my friends and I were on the edge of our seats while watching as we do not get to see the shows in NYC--we have to rely on soundtracks and broadway.com for our info.
I'm suprised that Avenue Q was so successful. While I am a fan, I think Wicked should have swept. Ave Q was (in my mind) the one we were supposed to say "Ah, that's nice that they were nominated. Good for them." That's that. But they were very gracious and I'm proud of them...just suprised.
I think it was crazy that Nicole K and Renee Z were there to present. I miss having Broadway favorites present the awards.
Carol Channing rocks my life...how cute is she???
One of the best Tony's I've seen as far as ups and downs and getting my friends and I involved. Idina's win made the night worthwhile in my opinion.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 1:55am

You thought Mary J. Blige was AMAZING DiR*&rTy_ReNx^tHEAD? You must have been hitting the 420 extra hard.

[DiRrTy_ReNtHEAD420]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 2:13am

proberbly but i jsut lik,e her a lot and to me she does no wrong there was no need for her to be on the show and i know that but hey she was there.


ps do u feel the need to coment on everything?

[Pinguin]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 2:35am

The show was INCREDIBLE...and I could not be happier about the winners. Avenue Q and Assassins are SO deserving, not to mention Henry IV and I Am My Own Wife.

Assassins really deserved the awards...they're not just awarding the book and the score...the production was a particularly well done production. If you see it, you'll see how brilliantly directed it is (the direction is its biggest strength, which is funny when you consider how terribly Wicked was directed)...it's not an easy show to pull off and it's pretty well casted.

I loved that there were surprises...that's what it's all about.

The performances were mostly good...Defy gravity felt a little strange...

Yay for Idina as well...I was pleasantly surprised that she won. She's done some good work in the theater.

Updated On: 6/7/04 at 02:35 AM

[Zola Q. LaPlaya]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 6:30am

Mary J Blige should have learned the melody of the song. From the audience, it sounded like she was singing a harmonic version of the song (sort of).

[Amneris]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 8:10am

Idina, Hugh , Idina , Hugh , Idina , Hugh , Ave Q

Nuff said?
This year was DEFINATELY THE MOST entertaining tonys in a long time!

[tennis85]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 8:15am

So, Idina was a little nervous during her performance. Bottom line: She won the Tony :) Do you Think Kristin was as happy for her as she looked on camera? hehehehehehe.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 8:40am

Donna was robbed. I think Idina is a very talented girl - but the Tony should have gone to Donna Murphy - the performance she gave last night was enough evidence for me - she was amazing.

[Nagrom5280]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 9:14am

A few thoughts:

I am disappointed in the Hollywoodization of the telecast. I think it is a huge shame. If the intended purpose of this is to allow the awards to remain on CBS, then move the awards to Bravo or another channel. Broadway stars such as Norbert Butz, Stephanie Block, and many more deserve to be a part of this celebration.

Mary J. Blige and Tony Bennett, what the heck was that about??? I know the intention of their performances, but what a shame that I could not see the plant from Little Shop or Raul Esparza sing 'Petrified'. I know it was not nominated, but who cares. Showcase Broadway performers, not Tony and Mary.

Did anyone else miss the montages that are normally done for the design awards? One of my favorite parts of past Tony shows are watching the designers speak about their shows while watching additional footage of the various plays and musicals that may not have been nominated for the bigger awards.

Personally, yay for Idina Menzel. Made my night actually.

"Tradition" came off pretty well I thought for the telecast. I thought "It Sucks to be Me" was a huge success. Came across very well on the television. "Defying Gravity" was ok. I thought the execution of the performance was a let down. Thought it was done better on David Letterman.

Donna Murphy and the performance of "Wonderful Town" was a success, however I think Caroline, or Change and Tonya Pinkins performance did not allow for the television audience to understand the purpose.

Enough rambling, however last minute thoughts. I have got to give a Holla to Hugh. I thought he was good. The 6000 in the audience and the 6000 on the 'tele' was priceless. Sarah Jessica and Nathan Lane was funny.

Typical night for the Tony telecast. I always go in thinking it is going to be amazing, but come away from the show enjoying it, but always thinking it could be so much better.

Oh yea, move the show to Bravo.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 9:17am

I think it's clear now, that it's now going to be a tradition to give the Best Actress Tony to the LEAST deserving of the bunch. I thought Menzel gave the absolute weakest performance of the leading ladies. All that out of pitch screaming was a bit much to listen to. Her speech was much like many of her interviews, incoherent babble. i'm more confused than ever, as to why all the Wicked/Idina fans are so enthralled by Defying Gravity.

The presenters were GAWD awful. Billy Joel and Jane Krakowski being the most offensive. Rashad, McDonald and Cerveris gave IMO, the only poignant thank-you speeches of the night. The performances left me cold, particularly, the opening, Assassins and Fiddler. Very ameture night for me. I'm grateful to have TIVO and therefore, to have had the ability to record it and fast forward, which I did often. I would have been mad at myself if I had bothered to skip dinner with friends to watch the show. I will not be surprised to hear that the show did poorly in ratings....again. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 10:03am

Wouldn't it be nice if the presenters learned to pronounce the Nominees names correctly?!

One would think they could take 5 minutes to honor the people they are celebrating.

Guess they're too busy counting the value of their freebies in their giftbags.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 10:41am

Sorry, I thought the show was weak. Technical issues plagued them throughout the evening and many of the performers who were supposed to add levity to the evening went right into the tank

There were a few weak performances and some out of place performers and performances AND...OK...everyone can shoot me now...

I'm SICK of Hugh. Yes, he has some talent...he is NOT the second coming and while I don't find him UNattractive, he definitely isn't the sexiest, hottest man in the world. And, of yes...I find his bump and grind pathetic...but that's just ME

[DAME]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 11:34am

Well I am very happy for idina. I for one wasn't impressed this year with anyones performance in that category. But I like Idina. So I am glad she won. I thought the show itself was alot of fun. I thought evryone had some sorta problem in their shows number. Wether pitch, or just weak voice, or Hughs mike slipping.

I am thrilled Ave Q won. It took all of us by surprise. What a nice surprise. I can't imagine the Wicked party last night was alot of fun.

[directorkid]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:43pm

OK NOW YOU GUYS ARE BUGGIN ME!!!
Avenue Q deserved not one of the awards it got! The Music was the same as Seasame Street!!! It wasn't that funny of a book either!! And the fact it won best musical drove me crazy! Wicked is a masterpiece! It is one of the Best Broadway shows i've seen in a long long time! and IDINA DESERVED HER TONY!!! Donna Murphy and Tonya Pinkins were horrible last night! I have no interest in seeing either show now!! Stephen Scwartz should have won just because of his body of work that has NEVER been honored!! Avenue Q was cute but WICKED is a work of art!!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:50pm

Idina was "horrible" last night too, and if I hadn't seen that snooze of a show already, I'd have no interest in it after seeing Defying Gravity last night. Pinkins' definitely had an off moment but she was brilliant in the theater. Sorry you're so bent out of shape about Ave. Q winning. I thought it was the first thing the 735 lunatics, have gotten right in a very long time.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:53pm

I felt like Tony Bennett & Mary J were a waste of time, I didnt particularly enjoy either performance. I did enjoy seeing my high school teacher of about mid-30s in the audience next to Tony Bennett proving shes still dating the old man. I wouldve prefered to see a Big River performance.

I loved Hugh's performance from BFO. He and SJParker were just too cute.

The opening number was nice but not as exciting as it was hyped to be.

For acceptance speeches, I always enjoy the ones that are less planned and more emotional. I am so happy that Idina won.

I still havent gotten around to see Avenue Q, but I was pretty shocked by the win, expecting the more marketable traditional type show to get the award. It was so nice to see that bunch so happy. They looked pretty amazed.

I did think it was a shame the presenters butchered some of the nominee names. I know what thats like cuz I have nice long italian last name no one seems to be able to pronounce.

I thought the graphical elements were downplayed- like someone said theres usually montages which I kindve missed.

And Im not sure why some of the celebs that presented were actually asked to be there but what do I know Im just the viewer. Broadway has had its fair share of stunt casting these past few years: why not Joey Fatone, Toni Braxton, Deborah Cox, Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas, etc? All those people have audiences outside of broadway that couldve meant ratings too and wouldve made more sense.

Carol Channing & LL Cool J was a really cute skit.

And I was THRILLED to see ASSASSINS win so many awards.

Wasnt too impressed with the clothes people wore. Everyone was well dressed, but no one made me say 'wow!'

Eh... more thoughts later when Im fully awake.

[Amneris]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 2:36pm

im just glad tonya pinkins didnt win..i feel if she did, it would of been NOTHING more than a sympathy vote...go idina!!!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 2:43pm

PB ENT.- Loosing juice?? Maybe you should have plugged in your laptop or don't you know an outlet from an ass, or was it a knee? Sorry, I couldn't resist!! You know I love you more than Dollypop.

Updated On: 6/7/04 at 02:43 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 3:27pm

at the risk of repeating myself - DONNA WAS ROBBED.