Post Tony morning discussion

I disagree. There were plenty of memorable moments.

Positive:
- Cicely's acceptance speech was absolutely amazing.
- Cindi's tears as she stood to approach the stage.
- Andrea's acceptance speech
- Patina's acceptance speech.
- Cinderella performance (raised my interest to see this)
- Pippin performance (glad I saw this in Boston and NYC)
- enjoyed current shows introducing segments

Negative:
- NPH tongue kissing Sandy
- Memorial segment - wish the pictures/names were the focus on tv instead of featuring Cindi's performance. I wanted to see the tribute!
- Once performance (so glad I've avoided this)
- Bring It On performance (glad I didn't go see this)
- Kiny Boots performance (no desire to see this)
- Matilda performance (no desire to see this)
- Phantom LOL not shocked by the lip synching

without going back to read the recaps of the show - those are the things that I remember this morning.

Random thoughts on the Tony awards

1) Enjoyed opening number and NPH was better this year but still think it is time to change hosts before it gets real stale, like Billy Crystal did at Oscars

2) I know there is a 75 second time limit but wish sometimes producers should use their judgment and let someone like Cicely Tyson finish her speech.

3) Tracy Letts winning was the biggest surprise to me all night, thought sure Tom Hanks or Nathan Lane would win.

4) It was great seeing Megan Hilty in that spoof musical number about being in TV series

5) Wish the audience would wait until all the names in the "Memorian" were flashed on screen before they applauded. Cyndi Lauper did nice job on "True Colors".

6) Don't know who the young boy was who did the tap solo in the "Christmas Story" segment was but he was fantastic.

7) After seeing "Matilda" I left theatre thinking it should/would win "Best Musical" and the small sampling of "Kinky Boots" I saw last night did not change my mind.

I know POTO celebrated it's 25th anniversary this year but did we really need to see a "performance" from it last night.

9) Amazing that CBS is so worried about running over a couple of minutes during Tony Awards broadcast but would not worry a bit if it was a major sporting event.

10)For people who are in live theatre, I was really surprised how many people needed to read part of speech from a piece of paper. Actors remember incredible amount of lines so a 75 second or less speech should not be that hard. Producers and other non performers make presentations and I am sure attended other awards ceremonies (Drama Desk for exp.)so making a speech is not something totally new. IMO - they know they have a chance to win so why not prepare something and if you think you can't remember the names of everyone just generically thank entire cast producers etc.

I'd go for "X" minutes of Cicely giving a genuine heart touching speech over a laundry list of people that most viewers cannot relate to or even care about. I was hanging on Cicley's words.

I do understand being nervous in the moment and not wanting to forget people but please...like everyone who got you there doesn't realize it is YOUR moment. Share your thoughts. Speak from your heart. Performers - stop reading the Playbill credits to us please!

Yankeefan7, just FYI, the Cinderella transformations are MUCH smoother in the show. They're really magical.

Thrilled with the Letts win, which he completely deserved, but shocked he got it. Didn't see it coming at all.

All in all, best Tony show in years. NPH was great.

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While I don't think every performance was great, I thought the show on a whole was the best of the last few years. I'm not sure the production team (The league or CBS) can be responsible about "moments". The shows choose what songs to perform and the individuals accept as they want.

I had plenty of moments.

And, btw, CBS DOES think of it as advertisement which is why they included so many current (not nominated) shows.

Erik is right: Major sporting events have gads of folks watching, the Tonys do not. While I would love for PBS to take over, we are lucky any major network wants to air them.

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I thought the show was pretty good overall. It was a nice tribute to Broadway, and I loved seeing all the shows represented. I am disappointed that Matilda didn't do better, but I wasn't surprised.

ErikJ972 - Sporting events do get ratings but delaying nightly news on East coast for 5 -10 minutes on a Sunday night is not that important IMO. As for other time zones, I don't think the world will end if show is delayed few minutes or picked up "in progress".

Broadway3 - IMO she was ok which is what I think most people woud say

I LOVED the opening number!!

Other misc thoughts:

- Was amazed once again by Luke's tap dancing skills in A Christmas Story

- Jane Lynch was wonderful! Wish I could see her in the role.

-NPH and Sandy= Gross and unnecessary

-Matilda- still love that show and I bet that her voice cracked because it seemed a lot higher than in the show... probably so they could transition to the next song

- Cicely Tyson's speech showed everyone how it should be done.

-Billy Porter's comment about his mother was sweet, and "sharing" the award made me laugh :)

-Yay for Cinderella!! Both for the delightful performance and for winning best costume design!

... lots of others, but that's pretty much what was on my mind first thing this morning!

"What does that say exactly?"

It isn't Obvious? You don't see the irony?

My overall thoughts- awards largely went to those who I expected.

Awards:
Surprises for me were Featured Actor in a musical and play. Bertie should've remained featured and he would've won- his producers did a disservice petitioning otherwise. As for the play, I thought it was between Kind and Burnstein with Shaloub close behind. Featured actresses were predictable wins- my question is this- if Andrea Martin wasn't on a trapeze would she have won? Her performance was great in Pippin- can't wait to see it again (if I can get close to it now) I thought Ashford had more stage time and she was my second choice. Actor n a play- Way to go Letts! His performance was riveting and fresh, for me this was the upset of the night, I thought Hanks was walking away with it. Billy Porter, so happy for him! He has more than paid his dues. Best actresses, Tyson deservedly so, inspiring speech, Miller great win, Osnes was probaly her only formidable competition. Best play and musical revivals- no surprises here in my book either- great material stands the test of time clearly. Best play, no surprise. Best musical in many people's eyes was a surprise, not to me, obviously I'm a fan. Seeing Matilda in July cannot wait! Bertie's performance last night really has me looking forward to his performance.

Performances:
Opening and closing well done, I also enjoyed the exposure other shows ot throughout the night. Aside from obvious teleprompter issues I thought it was effective.

Matilda- It was ok, felt bad for the little girl.
Annie- Jane Lynch looked uncomfortable to me, Lilla was superior to the Matilda's.
Pippin- dazzling, as usual.
Bring it On- It's closed, and having seen the show, that performance did noting to show off the show at all, but the cast has begun other projects and are out of practice, this required far less work then the other high-flying numbers in the show.
Phantom- Why? Who is the Phantom right now, not impressed, again not an accurate portrayal of the entire work. Lip synching on the Tony's, eh.
A Christmas Story- I really want to see this now! Again, probably required the least amount of characters to perform, those kids were crazy good!
Cinderella- Can't wait to see this in July! Perfect use of a Tony performance.
Kinky Boots- the big winner! Other songs are superior in the show, but as I stated in a previous thread this gives less away.
Kudos to the telecast for including a Drood highlght reel! If I forgot anyone, that says alot about the show lol.

NPH- over it, my thought after seeing Rannels onstage- he would've been better!

Overall an enjoyable night compared to past years!

I thought it was a pretty strong broadcast. I was very pleased with most of the results. I think most of the speeches were excellent (cutting Cicely and Patina off wasn't very nice). The performances were pretty good, I thought. (For the most part, they were really well put together. I was a little disappointed in how they did the Cinderella performance-that costume change is much, much better in the show.)

Anyway, overall I was pleased.