Rant about the 2018 TONY nominations here- Page 2

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 12:11pm

The biggest snub was our collective ears for having to listen to "Hammer-steen."

Using Harvey Fierstein as an example, a steadfast rule of German pronunciation is that the "ie" should be pronounced as in the word "fear" and the "ei" should be pronounced as in "stine" (or "wine".  Therefore, Harvey's last name should be "Fear-stine" (most likely, it was originally some derivation of Vierstein as the "v" is pronounced like an "f", directly translating as "four stone".    Having studied German language for sveral years, every time I see his name and hear someone say it, my brain hiccups because it doesn't make sense.  At any rate, everybody says "Wine-steen" and "Fire-steen" incorrectly, so I guess "Hammer-steen" shouldn't be a big deal, either.  In general, Americans don't really seem to give a crap about pronouncing anything correctly, especially foreign words and surnames.  My last name is Polish and pronounced EXACTLY how it is spelled (again, using the American phonetics).  It's really not tricky at all if you bother to actually look at it, but 99% of those saying it ever bother to try and actually read it.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 12:27pm

I minored in German, and I feel the exact same way. ^ It’s even weirder that people don’t have issues pronouncing the vowels in Einstein’s name correctly, but every other name just goes right out the window.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 12:28pm

Mister Matt said: "The biggest snub was our collective ears for having to listen to "Hammer-steen."

Using Harvey Fierstein as an example, a steadfast rule of German pronunciation is that the "ie" should be pronounced as in the word "fear" and the "ei" should be pronounced as in "stine" (or "wine". Therefore, Harvey's last name should be "Fear-stine" (most likely, it was originally some derivation of Vierstein as the "v" is pronounced like an "f", directly translating as "four stone". Having studied German language for sveral years, every time I see his name and hear someone say it, my brain hiccups because it doesn't make sense. At any rate, everybody says "Wine-steen" and "Fire-steen" incorrectly, so I guess "Hammer-steen" shouldn't be a big deal, either. In general, Americans don't really seem to give a crap about pronouncing anything correctly, especially foreign words and surnames. My last name is Polish and pronounced EXACTLY how it is spelled (again, using the American phonetics). It's really not tricky at all if you bother to actually look at it, but 99% of those saying it ever bother to try and actually read it."

I cringe every time I hear Neiman Marcus pronounced "Nee-man." (Which is probably correct as their brand, but as you said, it's totally wrong based on the German.)

Either way, you're right that most Americans don't know, and if this was a random interview on the street I wouldn't care. But for god's sake, the people chosen to read the Tony nominations should know how to say the name of one of Broadway's all-time greatest lyricists. 

[Eliza2]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 12:31pm

not really a rant but I'm shocked at Carousel's nominations for lighting and costumes. 

Also shocked at the two Summer acting nominations but I haven't seen the show either, so I guess that doesn't really put me in a position to rant. 

I also don't think all three revivals should have been nominated.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 12:39pm

Regarding the three musical revivals being nominated, why not? Yes, this year was skimping on musical revivals. However, it could be worse. If you recall, a few years back there were only two nominations. Anything Goes and How to Succeed.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 12:45pm

Islander_fan said: "Regarding the three musical revivals being nominated, why not? Yes, this year was skimping on musical revivals. However, it could be worse. If you recall, a few years back there were only two nominations. Anything Goes and How to Succeed. "

They were the only two revivals that season. I do think there should be a rule about this, just because I don’t think every eligible production should be nominated just because it’s a light year, you know?

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 1:04pm

I guess it would be too much to ask that the people announcing the names of the nominees could actually pronounce them properly..Katharine McPhee seemed to never have seen the word Farinelli before and had to have her co-host tell her how to pronounce the word live on camera..as if this was some bizarre, obscure name that no one could be expected to pronounce...As if she was a tourist from Iowa dragged in off of the street and told to read the cue cards with no time to prepare. Did the organizers not go over the names beforehand with the announcers? And Hammer-Steen?? Seriously??? What's next? Stephen Sond-HEEM?? Franken-STEEN (For those young frankenstein fans)?? Next year, Tony organizers, get your act together.

Updated On: 5/1/18 at 01:04 PM

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 1:08pm

No one was expecting the two carousel noms in featured actress. And carousel got a costume nomination? YIKES. Those costumes are actually the ugliest i've ever seen. 

[wonkit]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 3:16pm

This is not really a rant because awards and nominations rarely make any sense to me, but does Mark Rylance now get a nom simply because he shows up on Broadway? Farnelli was probably one of the worst productions I have seen in recent years, and he was mannered and unremarkable in it.

Okay, so that does sound like a rant...

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 3:17pm

I wish Benanti had made it in.

[amaklo]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 4:21pm

Balcony Bill said: "I guess it would be too much to ask that the people announcing the names of the nominees could actually pronounce them properly..Katharine McPhee seemed to never have seen the word Farinelli before and had to have her co-host tell her how to pronounce the word live on camera..as if this was some bizarre, obscure name that no one could be expected to pronounce...As if she was a tourist from Iowa dragged in off of the street and told to read the cue cards with no time to prepare. Did the organizers not go over the names beforehand with the announcers? And Hammer-Steen?? Seriously??? What's next? Stephen Sond-HEEM?? Franken-STEEN (For those young frankenstein fans)?? Next year, Tony organizers, get your act together."

Agree with all of the above.  Hammer-steen was the worst.  Also, anyone who has a career in musical theater should know the name Gemignani. That was another one Odom Jr. had to whisper to her. She came across as painfully ignorant.

 

 

[funhamilton_rent]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 4:37pm

I don’t understand how TBV got so many nominations. I’m ready for the swarm of people that are going to show up at my door with pitchforks for saying it, but what about it was really that good? I get it’s a weak season but still. There are a few redeeming moments in the score but why does the book deserve to win? There isn’t even real plot with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s just starts and keeps going until it ends. Katrina was good, but in my opinion nowhere close to Hailey Kilgore, who gave an absolutely magnificent performance. Debate me calmly if you’re gonna debate.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 4:54pm

funhamilton_rent said: "I don’t understand how TBV got so many nominations. I’m ready for the swarm of people that are going to show up at my door with pitchforks for saying it, but what about it was really that good? I get it’s a weak season but still. There are a few redeeming moments in the score but why does the book deserve to win? There isn’t even real plot with a beginning, middle, and end. It’s just starts and keeps going until it ends. Katrina was good, but in my opinion nowhere close to Hailey Kilgore, who gave an absolutely magnificent performance. Debate me calmly if you’re gonna debate."

I wondered the same thing.  The show holds no interest for me and all of my friends that have seen have all said "meh". Maybe it will be like "Comet" from last year, which I did see but was underwhelmed and couldn't understand all the "excitement" about it.

Updated On: 5/1/18 at 04:54 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 6:14pm

Also, no Julie Taymor?  Too soon? 

Posted: 5/1/18 at 6:18pm

Surprised to see Carousel get into the Lighting and Costume Design Categories. Not angry about it, but I didn't think they were the strongest areas of the show. 

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 6:30pm

"I don’t understand how TBV got so many nominations."

I understand only too well.  It's "art," you see.

The fact that it's a trial by dire only enhances its claim to "art."

I say, please spare us this kind of "art," and give us No, No, Nanette or Very Good Eddie instead. At least we'd all have a good time and hear some actual music.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 6:31pm

I’m more alarmed by how bad McPhee was on the announcement broadcast. Absolute mess.

[EthelMae]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 6:36pm

Not so adamant as AfterEight, but I did sit there after The Band's Visit and thought it's...fine, just fine. I was almost embarrassed to tell anyone I wasn't wild about it because I know how many love this show. I want to see the movie now. Maybe there is a clue there to its so fond of feelings.

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 7:01pm

"I was almost embarrassed to tell anyone I wasn't wild about it because I know how many love this show."

Why feel embarrassed for telling it like it is?  Do you see the elitists refraining from badmouthing Cats, Phantom, Mamma Mia, etc, in deference to those who love those shows?

 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 7:10pm

I think it's not just that it's a weak year, it's that it's a very weak year for new musical material so The Band's Visit stands out even more this season. It's also a reprieve in that it's a show dealing with adult material considering what everything else is offering. There's nothing wrong with family-oriented or even children-focused material and they can be just as poignant, insightful, and well-written as other shows, but The Band's Visit really is offering something the other new musicals up for Best Musical are not offering. Plus, not being plot heavy or following the plot formula and focusing on character and themes can be excellent material if done well.

Updated On: 5/1/18 at 07:10 PM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 7:35pm

To be fair to McPhee, she does mention on several occasions that they spelled things on the prompter phonetically. When you're trying to get all that information out live, I'm sure it can be overwhelming. (I work in customer service, and I know when people start saying "[letter] as in [word]" for an incredibly long string of letters, I have to stop them and ask them politely to just say the letters.

[blaxx]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 9:40pm

everythingtaboo said: "To be fair to McPhee, she does mention on several occasions that they spelled things on the prompter phonetically. When you're trying to get all that information out live, I'm sure it can be overwhelming. (I work in customer service, and I know when people start saying "[letter] as in [word]" for an incredibly long string of letters, I have to stop them and ask them politely to just say the letters."

I think she obviously tried to wing it. There were names that she should have known regardless. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 9:47pm

I agree about Rylance's nomination for Farinelli and the King. One of the worst, weakly written plays I've ever had the misfortune to endure and part of it was Rylance's totally affected acting.

Also disagree about Denise Gough's nomination. I was impressed with her Harper until I realized she was recreating all the mannerisms she used in People, Places and Things. 

I would given her place to Alison Pill.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 5/1/18 at 9:55pm

Can anyone explain the two Summer nominations? As for frozen while it is a mess I would have rather scene one or both of the girls be nominated instead of Summer. Also Frozen for best musical? NOPE. My guess about Alex Newell is that early on his was giving by all accounts a seemingly amazing performance, as time went on... well he seems to be suffering from some vocal problems and when I saw the show two weeks ago and he was pretty distracted. I know i'm not the only one who wasn't impressed with him. I really wish Kenita Miller would have gotten nominated though

Posted: 5/1/18 at 9:59pm

To be honest, I would've put Kenita Miller over Renee Fleming any day. I adore Renee, but her performance is a bit bland and lost up on that stage. Kenita was flawless.