Random Question Regarding Grand Hotel

My 13 year old niece is obsessed with late 1980s broadway, like I was her age, back when I was obsessed with Phantom & Les Mis in 1989 and not much else-

But she has expanded her horizons beyond Phantom and Cosette and has been scouring youtube finding old clips- she found Grand Hotel from the 1990 tony awards, which I missed at the time. She asked me if the dancing was some form of special effect- I watched the clip (over and over again) and have no idea- and honestly, was completely blown away by this! how did I miss it all these years!

So, bww community, if its an effect, does anyone know the secret behind it?

Link to the clip i watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QUCt4t92Zs

Updated On: 5/14/16 at 09:01 PM

If you are referring to Michael Jeter's limber gymnastics during the number there were no special effects involved, just pure talent. The man was brilliant and no other actor during the run was quite able to perform that number as he did.

Haha, the first time I saw that I thought it was a special effect, too, like maybe the bar was sliding back and forth, or he was being hoisted on wires, but no, he really was just a tiny, limber man virtually capable of flight.

The Tony performance is great, thanks.

I really have to say this still stands out to me….this particular musical. It was so entertaining….and the score was both haunting, and playfully melodious at times. I've worn out my CD because every song is just fantastic, and tells the story so well.

Jeter was the master of it all too. And his Tony acceptance speech was so heartwarming. He is missed.

And what's not to love about Jane Krakowski. Just saw her in She Loves Me and was having flashbacks of seeing her way back in GH. Gorgeous woman, great actress and exceptional dancer herself.

Jeter was the king of that show though. And it shows in both the Tony and Macys videos.

What a joy that show was!! All the performances were just so great. I saw the replacement, Barrett, who was great as the Baron. Montevecchi and Akers. All of them. In fact, I'd almost have a hard time seeing it again when it creeps up as a revival someday with anyone else. I think they were all just so good, they've spoiled it for me.

Smaxie said: "Jeter even was able to perform it on a wet surface during a snowy Thanksgiving Day Parade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTbWru3i8o4"

Thank you for posting this, I've never seen that video before! We really lost both David Carroll and Michael Jeter too soon.

I've been dreaming of a full-scale revival of this for years and I think Rob McClure or Chris Fitzgerald would do quite well in Jeter's role. I'd love to see the Roundabout take it on, Studio 54 seems like a perfect venue.

The Tony clip is one of my favorite videos of all time. I've never really warmed to the score, apart from a few numbers, on the CD, but it's such a joyful moment and Jeter is just so, so perfect. That said, I love the idea of Rob McClure playing the role- he is a fantastic physical comedian, which sadly he was only able to show a small amount of in Noises Off.