Rant about the 2013 TONY nominations here — Page 9
Posted: 4/30/13 at 12:23pm
My thoughts:
Hands on a Hardbody - I see this as a "niche" musical. A certain group of folks appreciated the score. Unfortunately, I did not, but "each to his own..." yadda, yadda, yadda.
To my mind, the show's biggest failing is that the source material (the documentary) was mostly successful because the "cast" were real people. The emotional investment viewers made with this documentary (or nearly ALL documentaries, really) was based on the fact that they were connecting to something "real" (even if, or perhaps because, they were connecting with people outside their own reality).
By turning a documentary into a musical (and especially a musical), the "real" completely went away. I think the creators were hoping for the similar kind of success as a show like, Working - but even Working isn't a "must-see" for many folks.
It also didn't help that much of the physical action of the show is limited to blocking around a revolving car, with no opportunity to filmaticly "zoom in" on actors' faces to become intimate with their emotions.
Chaplin - Kind of doomed from the start... There is a fair history of staged productions and revisions that didn't work. Dull score, and relied completely on how well the leading actor could "recreate" Chaplin onstage (which the Tony Committee recognized in their nominations).
Posted: 4/30/13 at 1:27pm
The score and some cast from Hands on a Hardbody are nominated but it does not got a nomination for Best Musical
Makes perfect sense
Updated On: 4/30/13 at 01:27 PM
Posted: 4/30/13 at 1:57pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:02pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:11pm
You may be right, except that it was never a Broadway score until this production. And it's not even one of the most recognizable Rodgers and Hammerstein scores. It might be their sixth most recognizable score after Sound of Music, King & I, South Pacific, Oklahoma and Carousel depending who you ask.
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:16pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:17pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:23pm
I'm surprised the prince from Cinderella is nominated. Really?
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:29pm

>> "The score and some cast from Hands on a Hardbody are nominated but it does not got a nomination for Best Musical
Makes perfect sense "
Yes, it does.
Consider Sandra Bernhard...
Gorgeous lips, but "prettiest face" when compared to others?
Updated On: 4/30/13 at 02:29 PM
Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:36pm
Thrilled for those nominated, though. Lots to be happy about. Shalita! Drood! Anna Louizos in for my favorite design this season!
Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:48pm
It survives in amateur productions because of a couple of okay songs and a lot of principal roles (singing and non-singing) for large ensembles.
It supports your argument very well.
Updated On: 4/30/13 at 03:48 PM
Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:56pm
Po-TAY-to, Po-TAH-to. "Flop"/"Niche".
I happen to like Working, but I'm well aware it's not everyone's cup o' tea (....maybe just me and two other folks!!!)
Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:59pm
No, she didn't because that is impossible.
Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:37pm
How many young people are familiar with King & I, South Pacific, or Carousel? I suspect more of them would know Cinderella.
As for older folks, they know Cinderella as well as the others.
As for the Tony nominations, they left out Alan Cumming? Something is not right here.
Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:00pm
While I see your point, this young person grew up in a musical family and can sing through all three of those shows. I imagine a lot of kids who are into theatre have been exposed to this music by their parents as well.
Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:05pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:12pm
I wish I was going to Vanya and Sonia tonight.
I'll be there tonight, Whizzer, cheering everyone on!
Posted: 4/30/13 at 7:57pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:06pm
Bring it On gets nominated for Best Musical but it doesn't get nominated for Best Score...go figure.
Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:07pm
Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:36pm
As for older folks, they know Cinderella as well as the others.
Oh, my mother loved the first two televised versions. But she couldn't pick a song out of the score if her life depended on it. Though she could probably sing the entire score of Rent from beginning to end.
Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:40pm
I guess Ken Davenport is the next Frank Wildhorn...
Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:44pm
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