SUNDAY - best musical to ever get shut out?

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:43am

I'm not trying to be overly dramatic--this is a serious question, because my knowledge of theater history is relatively limited.

Many believe SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE was a brilliant reinvention of a great Sondheim musical. Two very well-liked leads, creative imaging for the sets, an all around well-polished and wonderful production. While I admit that South Pacific was "better," SITPWG is my favorite of the season, possibly ever.

All that, and 0 Tonys to show for it. Zero, in the company of Grease, Cry Baby, and The Little Mermaid. As others on here have mentioned, if South Pacific hadn't been quite so brilliant, SITPWG might have garnered up to 6 wins--revival, actor, set, lighting, costumes, sound. I'll admit that they weren't second in direction, and orchestrations and actress were won by other shows. It's also gotta be up there in most nominations without a single win as well.

I assume the closest you would come is in other years where shows won across the board and the same show came in second in every category. What do you all think?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:45am

Hey, it happens to some very good shows. Look at the original Gypsy or Chicago, which didn't win a single award either.

[gonepishing]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:46am

It really was robbed. Anyone who watches that Tony performance and dosen't get goosebumps most have no soul.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:48am

I thought SUNDAY was better than SOUTH PACIFIC, easily.

SOUTH PACIFIC is a really great production of a really great, well liked musical.

SUNDAY is a reinvention of an artistic masterpiece.

The revival of SUNDAY is an example demonstrating the purpose of a revival:

To offer something different than what was done the first time around.

The award USED to be called Most Innovative Production Of A Revival.

There is nothing innovative about the revival of SOUTH PACIFIC.

The SUNDAY revival has innovative written all over it, and it is executed to perfection.

[violet72]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:59am

I agree with Foster....I wasn't a big fan of the original Sunday but this revival was spectacular it should have gotten at least one award, but the popular choice was South Pacific so it won the popularity contest

[titleofusername]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 9:01am

I completely agree with Foster. I will admit that I did not see South Pacific, but the revival of Sunday in the Park with George was brilliant. I was blown away and left feeling completely inspired by a fantastic production.

I've heard marvelous things about South Pacific though, so I don't feel like my opinion is very valid here. I just love Sunday in the Park with George so much that it broke my heart to see it leave empty-handed.

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 9:04am

In any other year, it would have been huge.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:04am

SUNDAY is breathtaking. It's a damn shame.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:06am

SUNDAY was a snooze. It got what it deserved. NOTHING.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:09am

SO disappointing. I was really hoping they'd go home with something (I had an irrational wish for best revival).

[JRybka]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:10am

ahhhh...Roscoe to the rescue... Able to ruin a message in a single line.....

[nonplussed]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:12am

I don't buy into the "in any other year it would have been huge" reasoning. In any other year, there could easily be another South Pacific - a big, megabucks revival of a populist classic, set on an enormous stage, with massive orchestra and cast (thanks to a large budget) featuring star names, all faithfully and carefully crafted, but how often do we see such an inventive, groundbreaking, yet faithful and moving revival of a challenging piece like Sunday? I think it will be a long time before we see it's like again.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:16am

Yes, it's unfortunate that Sunday was up against South Pacific as both were wonderful productions of very different shows - though I would have plumped for Sunday for Best Revival. I think the biggest injustice is that of Best Actor. Paulo Szot was vocally superb and his acting was solid - but Daniel Evans was seriously stunning as George (not only on Broadway but in the West End and in the first outing for this production at the Menier Chocolate Factory). But as always it just comes down to personal opinions and it's difficult to have an objective result in any awards. Hell, I though Donna Murphy should have won last year ahead of Ebersole, so what do I know? LOL

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:17am

I know many of you have seen the revival and feel very passionate about it. I have not, and only make my comments based on last night's Tony performance.

I found the two leads nice, but with no real chemistry between them. She had serious pitch problems too, more than once. Neither voice was unique or outstanding. He was smiling way too much. She looked like she could have been singing to anybody randomly, not just George. He looked like he had a boyish crush on her. Oh, well...

But I loved the projected sets.

Again---Solely on the Tony performance, but I wasn't all that impressed.

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:18am

i *loved* SUNDAY, & am shocked it didnt at least win something for technical achievement.

[MuseOfComedy]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:18am

It could have taken it last year...

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 10:29am

The only tony I thought it had a chance for was Best Actor.

SP and Gypsy were both superior revivals, imo.

The projections and small orchestra did not do it for me. Not even close to the amazing original.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 11:08am

best12 - if you liked the projections, you'll love them in person (and on the walls they were meant to be projected onto).

I could see why, out of context, their performance of that number seemed a bit out of place. Their character interpretations are definitely a bit different than Mandy/Bernadette. It makes sense in the context of the show, although I can agree that Daniel looks a little [i]too[/i] happy at times, and it can detract a bit. George's realization/awakening, though, is a revolutionary moment for him, and I like the way Daniel tries to capture it.

I think their chemistry very strong in Act I.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 11:12am

I'm in the minority who believes Jenna Russell's Dot was...okay, even somewhat good, but not out of the world. Her Marie IS out of the world though, she nails the role.
Anyways, I think SUNDAY should have gone for sets at the very least if they were going to deny it the Revival and Director awards. Oh well.

[huckleberry22]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 11:27am

I actually really liked her Dot. And I agree, it is odd out of context. I thought that song, although beautiful, was an odd choice for the tony's. They should have done something from act one, they certainly have chemistry in that act, as George and Dot.
I too feel it should have won at least some design awards. The effects were stunning.And Daniel Evans was wonderful...

[lowercaseletter]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 11:32am

loved, loved, loved Sunday in the Park with George. I loved everything about it. I watched the whole thing bawling my eyes out.

I felt Daniel Evans did something really special with the role--he built his character arc to encompass both Georges, so the resolution of Act I George's dilemma happens with Act II George (which is why he is a giddy kid at the end . . . he makes the connection at last). Jenna Russell was also amazing. The production really highlighted the love story and I felt "We Do Not Belong Together" was played so beautifully and with an incredible amount of heartbreak.

Sad that the show fared WORSE at the Tonys than it did in the 80s (when Jerry Herman went up and dissed the score. yikes!).

Anyone else worried that Sondheim wasn't there? I hope his health is ok. I know he's getting up there, but still.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 11:57am

Best, you nailed the problem with the show. There was NO SEXUAL CHEMISTRY at ALL between Russell and Evans.

None. Not a bit. I didn't believe for a minute that he was the father of Dot's baby. And Russell played Dot like something out of ARE YOU BEING SERVED? Cutesy Britcom energy, nothing else.

I'm certainly glad that folks love the show and the revival, it just bored me to death.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:01pm

Every year there's an upset and unfortunately everyone cannot be pleased.

South Pacific was more popular of the two. Does the fact that Sunday is closing in a couple of weeks have anything to do with why it didn't win any Tonys? At least South Pacific can use their wins in a marketing campaign.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:16pm

Close, Millie.

SOUTH PACIFIC is set to tour. That's what matters.

The fact that SUNDAY is a limited run can't mean much, as Deanna Dunagan and Rondi Reed both won last night and yesterday afternoon was their last performance.

[achangeinme]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:24pm

Oh, I definitely feel like SUNDAY deserved more than what it got last night. Since we all pretty much knew SP was going to win Best Revival, I was rooting for Daniel Evans in the Best Actor category. Just SOMETHING to recognize what a beautiful, poignant show it really is. It's a strange year because there are three amazing revivals that knock all the new musicals out of the water! I wish Best Revival could have been a three-way tie between Sunday, SP, and Gypsy!!