Rant about the 2013 TONY nominations here - Page 9

[fosca3]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 11:59am

The Alan Cumming / MACBETH snub is breaking my heart

For the first time ever, I will not be buying champagne in hopes of toasting my favorite actor/show winning. I will just watch and sulk quietly instead

I REALLY thought his performance was the best thing I saw last year, and I can't wait to see it again in June

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 12:23pm

>> "No Hands on a Hardbody? No Chaplin? I can't believe it!"

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).

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 1:27pm

So the score, book and cast of Bring It On were not good enough to be nominated yet it gets a Best Musical Nomination

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

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 1:57pm

Obvious errors: Stephanie Block & not Lilla/Annie? Not Pippin but Terrence Mann?, no Jessica Hecht? (Assembled Parties/Harvey), Bring It On but not Chaplin? Rashad but not Williams for Trip to Bountiful?

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:02pm

If anyone should've been bumped for Lilla, it was Carolee Carmello.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:11pm

He breathed new life into one of the most recognizable Broadway scores ever and really added a more atmospheric quality that the previous scores, which tended to favor a more traditional orchestration, lacked.

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:15pm

Andy Karl wuz robbed.

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:16pm

Wasn't CC a powerhouse though? To me, Block just seemed adequate.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:17pm

I am thrilled silly for Terrence Mann! The fact that he doesn't have a Tony (yet) is kind of insane.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:23pm

I think CC deserves it. She was killer in the role. The show sucked, but at least she gave it 110%.

I'm surprised the prince from Cinderella is nominated. Really?

[John Adams]

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

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 2:36pm

I think the Macbeth shut out stings the most for me. Even if Alan Cumming missed out in a crowded field, what about the scenic, lighting, and sound designs? I thought the design was evocative and chilling.

Thrilled for those nominated, though. Lots to be happy about. Shalita! Drood! Anna Louizos in for my favorite design this season!

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:48pm

John, WORKING was a huge flop, running only 24 performances.

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

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:56pm

>> "John, WORKING was a huge flop, running only 24 performances."

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!!!)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:59pm

The show sucked, but at least she gave it 110%.

No, she didn't because that is impossible.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:37pm

"It might be their sixth most recognizable score after Sound of Music, King & I, South Pacific, Oklahoma and Carousel depending who you ask."

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.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:00pm

"How many young people are familiar with King & I, South Pacific, or Carousel? I suspect more of them would know Cinderella."

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.

[JayG 2]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:05pm

Why am I one of a precious few who knows that Sonya, Masha, Vanya, and SH*T is a flimsy piece of Durang whimsy that is manipulative beyond words and cringe inducing claptrap?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:12pm

Because you're the only one moronic enough to not appreciate the humor.

I wish I was going to Vanya and Sonia tonight.

I'll be there tonight, Whizzer, cheering everyone on!

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 7:57pm

That "flimsy piece of Durang whimsy" is probably going to win, Jay, so take your meds.

[broadwayfever]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:06pm

"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 "



Bring it On gets nominated for Best Musical but it doesn't get nominated for Best Score...go figure.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:07pm

I'm jealous bjh! Please report back with how the performance goes!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:36pm

Yes, I am sure there are fans of one or more of the televised productions. But one of "Broadway's most recognized scores"? Not even close. If you want to qualify it with specific demographics, then sure, Cinderella could be the most recognized score by Rodgers and Hammerstein to select individuals. But generally, no. Not compared to the multitude of enduring and endlessly repeated and recorded classics yielded by the shows I listed.

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.

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:40pm

I think the only snub that I was completely shocked by was nothing for Macbeth. At all. Not even poor hard working Alan Cumming.

I guess Ken Davenport is the next Frank Wildhorn...

[Doe A Deer]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:44pm

I was the first ( on this forum) to lament Rachel Bay Jones snub- And I am so glad to see others agree. Here's to Rachel.