Question about the 2009 Tonys closing number.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 7:48pm

How was it written?! Haha!

It may seem like a dumb question but did Wittman and Shaiman somehow whip that up backstage as the awards were going on? Or did they know the winners beforehand?

I feel like there's a really obvious answer but I figured I'd ask...

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 7:52pm

I'd bet that they wrote some alternate verses to use depending on the outcome of the awards.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 7:54pm

I think someone said this elsewhere and it makes sense...most of it probably could have been written in advance based on who was expected to win, and Wittman and Shaiman were ready to make changes if necessary. Some names were easily inserted. However it was done, it was brilliant!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 7:56pm

From what I heard....it was almost exactly the same at the rehearsal....but most feel that it was the likely winners....not any foreknowledge.

But I guess we'll never know.

[LadyDramaturg2]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 8:01pm

Think about it, though -- there had to be SOME alternate lyrics, and Neil Patrick Harris breeezed through that number like he'd sung it four hundred times.

A tribute to his skill and professionalism, I think.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 8:55pm

I thought most names of actual Tony winners were interchangeable in terms of the lyrics.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 9:22pm

You will find all of the answers you are looking for in threads that have already been posted.

Search is your friend.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/8/09 at 9:27pm

This link gives background info about the process, as well as lyrics that weren't used.
Tonys closing number