TONY Time: ONCE versus NEWSIES- Page 2

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 11:03am

broadwayriff--I don't see Follies having much of a chance for revival at all. If anything, it'll be between Evita and Superstar with Porgy and Bess possibly primed for an upset.

Not sure when the last time was exactly, but it's been at least 20 years since a musical won best revival after it had already closed (and it will have been four whole months already by Tony voting time for Follies).

Plus, Follies really wasn't that well received critically. Not slammed by any means, but mixed at best.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 11:11am

FOLLIES is the fav for revival at this point.

One factor no one is mentioning, NEWSIES is DISNEY,
TONYS don't like no DISNEY. Look at the record.
If NEWSIES does take it, it will be a happy day for the Mouse.

This will be more fun than the last few years which were more predictable.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 11:23am

Though I haven't seen Evita, it seems as though it would be a race between Follies and Porgy, seems like Porgy may be slightly more of a front runner.

Do people really think Follies could win Revival? (I saw it and adored it, just don't know of all the other competition).

[dreaming]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 11:24am

The Lion King beat out Ragtime for the Tony, so although the Mouse doesn't tend to do well, if the production is high quality, it is often rewarded.

I would like Once to win. However, I think Newsies will get it. The road voters will have some pull here and this show is right up their alley-family friendly material that will tour very, very well.

I think Once could work, but not on the same level as Newsies.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 12:20pm

The Lion King is the only Disney to have won best musical although both Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins were nominated. It would be a coup for Disney to win something at the Tonys after the crictical drubbing they got for their last two shows.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 12:37pm

It would be a coup for Disney to win something at the Tonys after the crictical drubbing they got for their last two shows.

And they deserved the trashing they got, they were that bad.

I don't buy that Tonys don't like Disney. Beauty and the Beast was a front runner for the award, but no one really complained when they rightfully gave it to the Sondheim show.

Sure, there was Aida. But after that, Disney has come up with a series of musicals that were not exactly deserving of the award. And Mary Poppins was nominated over Legally Blonde, for example.

So, no. Tonys don't hate Disney. It was Disney who thought they could just fart a show after The Lion King and get all the awards and praise, and I'm glad they were proven wrong by audiences, critics and nominating committees.

Updated On: 3/19/12 at 12:37 PM

[breathyfemalevocal]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 12:47pm

Though I haven't yet seen "Newsies" on Broadway, I did see it last fall at PaperMill Playhouse. I also saw "Once" last Wednesday. My opinion is very much in favor of Newsies taking and deserving the Best Musical award. I am one that likes almost everything I see, to one degree or another. I've seen 35+ shows in NYC in the last 2 years, most on Broadway, of which I only have three that I would not have rec'd to others. "Once" now makes four.

I was new to Newsies last fall, not knowing much about the film or its songs, but it was highly entertaining in every way: acting performances, choreography, lyrics and score, set design, easy-to-follow book, contagious energy, (and did I mention the dancing!). My partner and I were very much delighted for making the trip to NJ during a vacation in NYC. I can't wait to see it again in NYC.

"Once" last week left me bored and regretful for not having chosen another play to attend. The music was all the same (and I like me some Irish tunes) and neither the book nor lyrics sustained my focus. Actually, nothing in the show grabbed my attention.

I was very excited to see "Once" based on reactions I've read, but 10 minutes in, I knew I was in trouble. I've never before had to physically battle myself to stay focused at a musical, but I did for this. I literally started head-bobbing and had to fight to keep my eyes open (not always successfully.) I will say Steve Kazee was good, but I did not like the lead female character at all. I did not find the character believeable and I found the actress was very one-note.

I even went up on stage at intermission in an attempt to connect with the show, but, alas, the second act was even more painful. I couldn't wait to leave.

I do wish "Once" all the best because I do not think my experience and opinion is any more valid that others who have enjoyed it. It is confusing to have such a diametrically opposite reaction than some others to any musical or play, but I guess that is why we are all critics to some degree.







Updated On: 3/19/12 at 12:47 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 1:37pm

I honestly do not understand the people on here who say that not only is NEWSIES a better show, but ONCE is boring.

Of course, you are entitled to your opinion(s), but I could not disagree more. ONCE is anything but boring. And, structurally, in terms of character development, etc, there is NO competition as to which show is more finely-crafted. NEWSIES may be flashier, but that doesn't make it better. Just my two cents...

Again, I respect everyone's opinions, I just could not disagree more.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 1:52pm

Usually, a sentence with a structure of "I respect your opinion, but..." means you're about to tell them their opinion is wrong. So cut out the B.S. and get back to what BroadwayWorld is known for -- bitchy sniping. I'll make the popcorn.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 2:00pm

Their opinion isn't wrong, I just don't agree with it. No need for a bitch fight. I've been on this board since 2004 and have been in enough of those.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 3/19/12 at 2:30pm

Though I think everyone --- including Mr Sondheim --- was surprised that Passion sweeped all the awards over BATB. Both are excellent shows.

[bdn223]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 3:07pm

Realize that a big block of voters is regional theater owners, and that critics lost their right to vote in 2010, aka the year Memphis beat out both American Idiot and Fella! which were much better received by critics. I a few critics were allowed to vote last year, but best musical now due to the new majority of voters being the regional theater producers and owners is now the most "profitable" piece.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 10:53pm

Honestly for the first 10 minutes of Once, I was apprehensive. I adored the film so seeing the changes happen in front of my eyes to the character Girl (I was so scared she was transformed into Manic Pixie Dream Girl) and the additional characters was a bit jarring but I understood the changes. Girl (and side characters) needed to offer some comic relief for a show based on a film that in its original form may have been too soft-spoken for Broadway. I also think in showing how pronounced she was toward Guy following his path also offered some complexity to her own situation. I thought Milioti was great. She earned every audience response with her deadpan delivery and has a good voice.

Yes, the book is not its strength but the songs and lyrics are gorgeous. It is one of my favorite theater experiences in years.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 12:05am

I can't imagine Once ever winning Best Musical with all those road producer voters looking to fill their big 3,000 seat theatres with a Tony-winner next season. Only the fangirls leftover from NYTW would consider it a top-2 contender. Even Avenue Q had a decent chance for a touring audience in comparison. Like blaxx was suggesting, I don't think a quirky, small cast, non-commercial-type show has won Best Musical since Passion, at least, and that was a Sondheim show.

[Matt2]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 1:02am

Not to hijack this thread, but what were the reasons behind the critics losing their right to vote for the Tony Awards?

Sorry if this question has already been answered in another thread.

[amoni2]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 9:08am

"Once" is this year's "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot". It will win a a few Tonys and be gone in 16 months. A Best Musical Tony will do nothing for it.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 9:33am

Matt2- I'm not sure what the reasons given for the critics losing their right to vote were, but I thought the Tony committee reversed their decision and the critics can vote again. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm mistaken, but I think they can vote again this year.

[castlestreet]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 9:46am

whizzer- no- critics are still not allowed to vote

strummergirl- I LOVE your profile pic!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 10:10am

I dug up this article, which is what made me think the ruling had been (partially) revoked.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138184-Tony-Awards-Extend-Votes-to-Members-of-New-York-Drama-Critics-Circle

[castlestreet]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 10:35am

I had looked at the Tony Awards official site which didn't make mention of them- I should look again...


How Voting Works

When the Tony Awards were established in 1947, voting was limited to members of the boards of the American Theatre Wing and entertainment industry performer and craft unions. In 1954, voting eligibility was expanded to include other theatre professionals, and today there are approximately 700 eligible voters, a number that fluctuates slightly from year to year. These include voting members of The Broadway League and the board of directors and designated members of the advisory committee of the American Theatre Wing, along with members of the governing boards of Actors' Equity Association; the Dramatists Guild; SDC, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society; United Scenic Artists; and the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers. Other eligible voters include members of the Theatrical Council of the Casting Society of America and members of the Tony Awards Nominating Committee.

Its like trying to understand the tax code...

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 10:40am

Here's another link:
http://www.americantheatrecritics.org/criticism-in-controversy/2010/10/26/tonys-give-critics-back-the-vote-atca-had-its-say.html

It looks like some of the critics got their vote back, but not all of them? I'm not quite sure, but I'm sure Riedel will be on top of an issue like this. Maybe he can write a column and clear it up for us.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 10:45am

"Once" is this year's "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot". It will win a a few Tonys and be gone in 16 months. A Best Musical Tony will do nothing for it.

Spring Awakening won 8 Tony awards, sweeping Musical, Direction, Book, and Score. That's quite different than the one Tony that American Idiot won.

Once's best chance at a major award is an award that it's not even going to be eligible for. The Tonys have in the past rewarded scores from less commercial shows, but Once won't be eligible.

Updated On: 3/22/12 at 10:45 AM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 12:42pm

Spring Awakening won 8 Tony awards, sweeping Musical, Direction, Book, and Score. That's quite different than the one Tony that American Idiot won.

For the record, American Idiot won two Tony Awards. But you're right, of course, that there's a huge difference between the two shows in terms of Tony success.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 12:58pm

I don't think a quirky, small cast, non-commercial-type show has won Best Musical since Passion

I would definitely put Spring Awakening in that category. Now, I hated Spring Awakening, but I acknowledge the fact that I'm in a small minority, so I can't begrudge it winning Best Musical. If Once develops a following of devoted fans, combined with the reviews, I don't see why winning Best Musical would seem so far-fetched or unusual. A couple of people here found the show boring. What does that have to do with the show's Tony chances? Nothing. Zip. Nada.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/22/12 at 1:41pm

I have read castlestreet "How Voting works" and I don't see this "large block of regional theatre owners" anywhere.
I thought that theory was debunked a few years ago.
The Broadway League and New York Unions had a big bone with DISNEY when they decided not to join and have their own contracts.
That is a large droup of voters. THE LION KING was a huge exception, it came marching in and took everyone by storm because no one had seen anything like it (unless, of course you saw JUAN DARIEN. Things may have calm down since DISNEY's takeover of BWay has waned and they got in bed with the Nederlanders.
So NEWSIES may have a better chance now than years ago.