REASONS' Tony voter letter...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 1:05am

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/patriotic-appeal-to-tony-voters/

Thoughts? I personally am keeping my fingers tightly crossed in hoping it wins Best Play. I found it to be leagues better than GOD OF CARNAGE which I thought was more of a showcase for four strong performances than anything else.

What do you all make of this letter?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 1:26am

It's a very sincere letter. I haven't seen either play so I can't really comment on which is the better show, but reason to be pretty gets points for being open and honest. It is definitely the spoiler, but I think God of Carnage does have momentum since it has stars and more nominations. Then again, reasons won a Drama Desk while God of Carnage didn't. Who knows, maybe the Tony voters will surprise us. It wouldn't be the first time.

~Steven

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 2:42am

God of Carnage will win.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 7:08am

God of Carnage will win because it has an audience and is selling great. Reasons isn't selling well and isn't a commercial success.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 7:53am

I hope God of Carnage takes it. I found it to be the better overall play just on a basic human nature level. I personally found reasons to be pretty whiny and preachy at the same time ~ but ironically not in the monologues which they cut. The ONLY thing that I could see that makes it "truly American" is the playwright. The themes of both plays are certainly universal ~ go to any kids' game of any sport and you'll see parents just like those in God of Carnage, so personally I find that to be a cheap shot.

Let me just add that had God of Carnage been derived from another source (not talking translation), I would have no problem if reasons to be pretty (or any other show for that matter) played the "original work" card. But I have issues using the "American" card ~ particularly in this case where it reads like they're counting on the anti-French sentiment that brought us such crap as "freedom fries" or "freedom toast" still being alive and well.

Updated On: 5/27/09 at 07:53 AM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:35am

While I fully support reasons to be pretty for the Tony over God of Carnage, I do not support the slightly xenophobic tone that letter is laced with.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:29am

There is no xenophobic tone to that letter. Xenophobia wouldn't even come to mind if Patrick Healy hadn't mentioned the nationalities of the two playwrights. That's his doing, not the producers of Reasons to Be Pretty.

The letter uses the words "distinctly American" and "American Voice" and doesn't mention any other play or playwright. People can find fault if they are looking for it. Updated On: 5/27/09 at 10:29 AM

[ryantbo2]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:34am

It is def my choice for Best Play

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:39am

Fair enough, let me amend my comment then to cite the article itself and not the producer's letter.

[boydowncenter]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:12am

I think it was DEFINITELY Healy's spin on it that would even make people question that letter. And just like Tom1071 said, no other play or playwright was even mentioned in the letter...it was just saying, look this is who we are. Without Healy, I don't think anyone would have a problem with it.

Jordangirl- How can you even say the only thing truly American about Reasons To Be Pretty is the playwright himself??? That baffles me-and makes me think you haven't even seen the show. It doesn't get MORE American than where the play is set, and the characters living there.

I also don't believe that just because a show is a huge commercial success (because it has a line-up of stars), that means that it is the better piece of work.

I think it's a great letter. I hope that this will give them the push that they need.

I definitely want it to win the Tony...my fingers are crossed with you, wickedrocks!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:35am

I find the letter a bit pathetic. Should everyone connected to every show write letters saying why they should win?
And the assumption, true or not, that the race is between these two plays belittles the other two plays in the competition.
And the idea that REASONS... should be taken more seriously because it's by an American is absurd. Like saying ROCK OF AGES should get Best Musical over BILLY ELLIOT because BILLY is British.

[boydowncenter]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 12:33pm

um, "anyone connected with the show"?? they are producers on the show, and actually it is common knowledge that during Tony voting time, producers do send letters, scripts, etc to Tony voters - so I don't find that odd or pathetic at all.