Spring Awakening...Does it have a chance?- Page 2

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:20pm

There are hundreds of TONY voters. A good amount of them are out of town producers who help to fund national tours. When they discover a show that's the most marketable, they'll most likely vote for it to be Best Musical so it can add even more marketability to the tour that they're helping to fund.

[McFrenzied]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:28pm

hmm..OK. Thanks, Broadwayguy. I just know Disney is notorious for doing things their own way and they would have something to leverage, Tony win or not. Mary Poppins doesn't need a Tony.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:33pm

"Mary Poppins doesn't need a Tony."

And in that statement we acknowledge everything that is wrong with the Tony system.

[McFrenzied]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:04pm

Well, see now, that's what I was talking about. Fonatic mentions the Tony voters who help fund national tours. Disney doesn't need their money. Why would Disney give them a cut of what will obviously make Disney a lot of money? I remember a story saying that Universal wouldn't even allow the investors who put Wicked on Broadway invest in the national tour. Why would they give the Tony to a show that they can't profit from? The only Tony voters who have a stake on voting for Poppins are the out of town theatre owners.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:06pm

I'm talking a little broader - like a show "needing" a Tony.

There are hundreds of people on this board who still believe the Tonys are about quality of performance/writing/directing/design. No matter what we say, we can't open those eyes, and they become unglued when their favorites don't win/get nominations.

[McFrenzied]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:12pm

Rathnait,
I totally agree with you, and if quality was the only consideration, then Spring Awakening would win it. I'm just trying to be realistic here and looking at the real possible motivating factors. We all know the Tony's don't go to the most deserving show any more. At least, not since these touring presenters were given a vote.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:13pm

The Tony Awards are largely based on money. As so many people have said, most things are picked based on popularity and money. Take a look at the '05 awards - Spamalot, an incredibly money driven show, won over the much loved and artistic Piazza.

The Tonys are partly a commercial for Broadway, and of course, the four Best Musical nominated shows get the most coverage. The voters would probably want a rounded out four, so I think Mary Poppins, a family show, will balance out the controversial Spring Awakening.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:13pm

I'm agreeing with you. I'm just pointing out that there are so many here who don't get the politics/business aspect that is a much more prevalent reason for Tony wins than they'd like to believe.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:27pm

The voters would probably want a rounded out four, so I think Mary Poppins, a family show, will balance out the controversial Spring Awakening.

Ahh, but the voters don't choose the nominees. The nominating committee, a group of 25 New York theater snobs (actors, set designers, costume designers, composers, lyricists, New York non-profit theater owners, president of the Actors Fund, president of BC/EFA) choose the nominees. They get the first say on who will be amongst the nominees for the voters to choose. If they don't pick MARY POPPINS as a nominee, there's nothing the out of town money-grubbing Tony voters can do about it. (example: TARZAN last year)

Updated On: 12/17/06 at 08:27 PM

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:51pm

educator06- Do you see other shows? Curious because you've only posted about SA. Grey Gardens is a wonderful show so I wouldn't vote it out...yet!

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 9:56pm

Rath, I agree with you. It's not about "needing" the TONY. It's about "deserving" the TONY. Even if some of the voters don't agree.

I totally agree with you, and if quality was the only consideration, then Spring Awakening would win it.

This is the kind of stuff I hate. Blank statements. What you're saying is not fact, it is opinion. So kindly state that this is what you THINK will happen and not what WILL happen. Because, you don't know. Unless you have some sort of time machine, don't make statements of opinion as if they are fact.

Updated On: 12/17/06 at 09:56 PM

[wickedfiyeroofoz]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 10:19pm

I could handle if it didnt win best new musical, but if it doesn't win best score I'll be so pissed.

Updated On: 12/18/06 at 10:19 PM

[educator06]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:25am

Actually I plan to see Grey Gardens after the Holidays. I am very much looking forward to it.

As others have said about SA, I want to see what all the fuss is about. Updated On: 12/18/06 at 12:25 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:33am

Well Sheik's music is sublime, Sater's lyrics just so so.
Frankel's music and Korie's lyrics for GREY GARDENS are my favorite score so far this year.
The song WILL YOU? is amazing.
Anf this score advances the story.
JERRY LIKES MY CORN
Hello?
I know Sheik and Sater are going for a different thing, but I like the GREY GARDENS score more.

[educator06]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:39am

You know I think both of these shows are magnificent in their own way. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. Well maybe some would, but aside from that, lets celebrate the creativity, the sublime wonder, the great human condition that is able to create this.

[gustof777]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:48am

If Spring doesn't take the Tony there is no justice...GG is wonderful don't get me wrong but come on have you ever seen anything like SA?? It's so unique and deserves the award!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:58am

This is Broadway.
There is no justice.
Watch MARY POPPINS take it over both of these shows.

I have seen many experiments like SA.
Some work some don't.
And audiences don't always get them.

[educator06]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 1:06am

I hope you are wrong. Spring Awakening deserves to continue, not only on it's own merits as a great musical but look at the opportunities it presents to new actors looking to break into Broadway.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 1:12am

Exactly, I totally want to audition for this show! Haha.

~Steven

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 1:17am

I hope i am wrong also
I love this kind of show on Braodway
and if it makes it's mark
it will encourage other writers to try something different.
And the singers are great
but if you want to make it on braodway
they should develop better acting skills
The current cast is a joy.

[roquat]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 1:23am

Has a Disney show EVER taken the Best Musical Tony (aside from LION KING, which was generally acknowledged to be about Julie Taymor's startling conceptual work)? There are an awful lot of Tony voters who are still resentful about Disney's homogenizing, monolithic takeover of Broadway and Times Square. POPPINS is hardly a lock.

[educator06]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 1:24am

Spring Awakening speaks to every teenager who ever dreamed of making it on Broadway. This is your show support it! Tell your friends, tell your friends to tell their friends, this is your show on Broadway. If this show makes it, you might make it too someday.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 2:15am

educator06, you're so right to spread the word...please, please do.

Unfortunately, the voters are not teenagers, nor the committee that nominates.

Keep telling everyone about the show, because it's worth staying alive on the boards.

And, hopefully, if some of the cast members get nominated; then NEXT year they might be able to vote...

Still, educator06, is right about this show giving teenagers a chance for "making" it on Broadway.

Hopefully, Lea will be playing one of the adults. And she's been with it since she was 13. Now she's 20 and still looks young enough (well, now that it's on a Broadway stage). It'll be fun to see her stay with the show, if that is what she wishes.

However, just like CATS, DANCIN', FOSSE--they all started with an amazing young cast--they fed the boards with brilliant young talent that went on to other projects. Actually, many of the remaining DANCIN' performers originated roles in CATS; where some of the performers went on to originate in FOSSE...etc.

I can't wait to see what happens with the cast of SPRING. They are so wonderful and clearly having a great time. I hope they all have careers. Or their replacements will enter new shows that were inspired by SPRING.

Circle of Life. (Sorry for the LK reference, but...check some of their bios...!)

[bjh2114]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 5:41am

I think Foster makes a really important point about the nominating committee. They are all New York theatre people who look more for artistic vision than the average out of town producer. Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens are locks. Also, because of the nominating system, I find it pretty likely that Curtains will garner a nomination unless it falls flat on its face. Especially with the sentimental aspect attached to it of the recently deceased Ebb and Chicago's 10 year anniversary. So whom does the 4th spot go to...? I have a feeling that Pirate Queen is out for Best Musical based on reviews unless it improves greatly (though it might garner a nomination for Stephanie Block and Best Original Score). LoveMusik is going to have to blow everyone out of the water for a nomination (though Cerveris and Murphy are both very likely acting nomination candidates). So the 4th spot then is between Poppins and Legally Blonde. As weird as it sounds, I think Legally Blonde will take the 4th spot unless it's an absolute flop. With the beloved Jerry Mitchell at the helm and lots of New York artists (some of whom may be on the nominating committee) who adore him, I have a feeling Blonde will get recognized for its efforts.

Updated On: 12/18/06 at 05:41 AM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 7:54am

"This is Broadway.
There is no justice.
Watch MARY POPPINS take it over both of these shows."


I know! Geez! Disney made a fun show that everybody likes. LORD! Who do they think they are wanting to be rewarded for that. Geesh.