The 76th Annual TONY Awards! — Page 18

Performance thoughts:

New York, New York - Colton Ryan's mannered, bizarre voice took me out of the medley just as it started. I thought, "Would I want to listen to that odd voice for an entire show?" No. Everything else was OK, but it was too late. Does Ryan normally sound like that? 

Camelot - The three leads all looked and sounded great, but the medley was too busy to make an impact. Another revival of a famous musical didn't make the mistake this one did.

& Juliet - I keep thinking I should give this jukebox musical a chance, but then I see a TV performance and think, "I'm not enjoying this." The choreography looked uninspired, Lorna Courtney didn't sound great, and I never really cared for that song anyway. I'm sure it's better in the theater, but it felt like a blown opportunity. None of this will hurt the show, but it won't help either.

Some Like it Hot - A very solid performance that made me more inclined to see the show.

Into the Woods - That was a fine performance, playful and affectionate. And while I won't be seeing Sara Bareilles and Brian D'Arcy James, it got me looking forward to seeing the musical on tour in less than two weeks.

Parade - Ben Platt was a standout in this performance with Micaela Diamond. He will be gone, and the show probably closed, by the time I return to New York City in late August, but the performance (and the Best Revival award) should help its box office.

A Beautiful Noise - The performance reminded CBS viewers that the show exists, and includes popular Neil Diamond songs, so it probably served its purpose.

Sweeney Todd - I don't know if Annaleigh Ashford, a WGA member, didn't perform to honor the union request - although she was a presenter in the first part. But regardless, the decision to go with "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" was effective as a tone-setter, and kind of refreshing in its focus on putting its ensemble front and center until Josh Groban took over.

Kimberly Akimbo - I tried to decide how much this performance helped. Virtues: Clark's lovely performance and an explanation of the story, which feels like it needs an introduction to a wider audience. Downsides: It's not one of the best songs in the musical and is interrupted by Justin Cooley throughout, in character. He also seemed louder than her, which isn't how I remember it in the theater. 

Shucked - They chose silliness, and a hyperactive medley that had to be a mystery to anyone who hasn't seen the show. The producers have made a string of smart choices, and maybe this one will work too. But if they wanted to play up the show's silliness, I'm regretting they didn't choose "Best Man Wins."

Funny Girl - It's peculiar, of course, that Lea Michele has now performed the same song at the Tony Awards, 13 years apart. But then it felt awkward; she was performing as Michele for no particular reason other than Glee. Now she's performing as Fanny Brice, only emphasized by the dialogue that explains the context of the song. This is an example of a musical not screwing around at the Tonys: Just give the audience the most popular song from the show. Best performance of the night.

Updated On: 6/12/23 at 02:19 AM

It was especially appropriate.  Kudos to her. At least two other presenters expressed their disdain for Florida's homophobia. Did that bother you too or was it just Ms. Benton calling out Florida's racism that you found "inappropriate"?

Updated On: 6/12/23 at 03:46 AM

DramaTeach said: "poisonivy2 said: "Wow Lea Michele killed that!!!"

She really is great in the part, but that arrangement kills me. The audience waits for that song. Why rush through it on speed?!"

I thought maybe they were rushing because they were running out of time. She did not perform it at that speed when I saw it in the theatre and I thought it played better. Even the dialogue was clipping along at a faster pace. Perhaps she was nervous. But she did a wonderful job and was great in the role.

 

UWS10023 said: "MCW1227 said: "MBFan said: "So.... was Will Swenson acting?? Was he trying to sound bad?"

I thought it was just me but he didn’t seem right."

it just was not very good. I kept waiting for his facial expression to change. Maybe he was nervous.

"

Will did sound off. He also called out for their matinee and Nick Fradiani was on. The performance did its purpose for the show.

Hayes’ and Comer’s wins, Amber Ruffin losing, and Into the Woods being shut out made me finally realize something: the Tonys don’t matter. If they can reward schlock like that and not reward actually good work, then it’s not worth the effort.

The Highs, Lows, and Whoas of the 2023 Tony Awards

https://www.vulture.com/2023/06/the-highs-lows-and-whoas-of-the-2023-tony-awards.html

 

Critic’s Notebook: Fierce and Focused, the 76th Tony Awards Were a Much-Needed Win for Broadway

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/2023-tonys-review-ariana-debose-broadway-theater-1235512974/

 

Quick thoughts on the performances… 

New York, New York - Anna’s New York New York is the highlight of the show (for me at least) so I’m glad they had her perform it! Everything up to New York New York I didn’t like. 

Camelot - The girls had pretty dresses but that’s really all I remember.. 

& Juliet - Reminded me why I do not see jukebox musicals. This was rough but perhaps Lorna Courtney was nervous? I would be too. 

Some Like it Hot - I somehow missed this one entirely. I’ll have to watch it on YouTube today. 

Into the Woods - I miss you. Milky White is the clear stand out!

Parade - Definitely interested and persuaded to purchase a ticket to see this. Ben Platt sounded lovely. 

A Beautiful Noise - I keep getting emails from this show and I don’t remember signing up for them. It’s a daily reminder this show exists and I need to unsubscribe from those emails. That said, it looks fun but not for me. My family might pick this one when we go in October, so I may see it anyway. 

Sweeney Todd - This did absolutely nothing for me. 

Kimberly Akimbo - I do not see the appeal here. The performance was cute but unforgettable.

Shucked - I just love this musical. I thought they did a great job at highlighting everyone and really stressing the show is about corn. Got some jokes in, Alex Newell killed it, and overall my favorite performance of the night. 

Funny Girl - I… had no interested to see Funny Girl until last night. Lea was born for this role and she’s taking it all in. Unlikely I’ll actually get to see it before it closes but if any of my other shows close before this one, it’s next on my to see list. 

First off I can probably say this was the worst Tony’s I’ve ever seen. I found it to be so boring (regardless of it being scriptless). I want performances I could care less about the carbon copy speeches.  It really became for me a point where I can’t see myself watching them next year.  
 

for me best of the night was funny girl. 
best performance to sell tickets shucked 

And I’d say parades performance will help sales to the end (my understanding is they are trying to secure a two week extension)

I didn’t like the Kimberly performance but definitely think the win will bring up the income.  I just wonder if the demand will last Ingo November when I’m supposed to be there.  
 

shucked and Kimberly were definitively the two I’d go see

jkcohen626 said: "FLarnhill said: "Hayes’ and Comer’s wins, Amber Ruffin losing, and Into the Woods being shut out made me finally realize something: the Tonys don’t matter. If they can reward schlock like that and not reward actually good work, then it’s not worth the effort."

How you can think Goodnight Oscar and Prima Facie are "schlock," but Some Like it Hot is not BOGGLES my mind. Sure it's funny, but they're just lobing mile-a-minute jokes at you until you happen to find one funny. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's nowhere near as smart as either Kimberly Akimbo or Shucked in content or comedy."

^^^^^^^^ this! On paper, SLIH had all the elements, music, dancing, comedy and performances. It was a big production. What it didn’t have was the heart that KA had. I went back 3 more times to see KA and never really gave SLIH another thought except to say it was a good show. Never thought again about the characters, the jokes  or the songs, and just remember the chase scene primarily. With KA, the small cast, the beautiful voices, the expressions, the comedy and the meaning of the story resonated and established a real connection to their characters and stories. I think the Tony voters thought the same thing. 

I enjoyed the entire evening more than I  thought I would...but this is what award shows SHOULD be. Celebrating the work and the artists.

I think the only award I was suprised by was sound for Sweeney. I was disappointed (personally) for a few, particularly Actor in a play.

This is no slight to Hayes (I've heard he is terrific, but not seen it) but in a category where the only white guy wins the award in an amazing pool of men of color is just cringey and I think it read on the faces of the other nominees. (Yes. in a perfect world this shouldn't matter.) I think Hayes was incredibly humble in his acceptance speech and gave kudos to those men appropriately so.

 

I'm thrilled for KA - which for me was by and far the best new musical of the season. I hope it turns the box office around for a good long time.

I think Sweeney was the best show performance of the night, and neither NY, NY nor Shucked did anything to make me want to buy a ticket.  My son sat horrified watching Shucked. (Just not our type of thing)

Zeppie2022 said: ""This is no slight to Hayes (I've heard he is terrific, but not seen it) but in a category where the only white guy wins the award in an amazing pool of men of color is just cringey and I think it read on the faces of the other nominees. (Yes. in a perfect world this shouldn't matter.) I think Hayes was incredibly humble in his acceptance speech and gave kudos to those men appropriately so."

For sure the optics were terrible, and I don't know if race played a part in voting. But there's a voting splitting explanation that doesn't have anything to do with race. 

Corey Hawkins and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II never had a chance at winning, because they were equally good in Topdog/Underdog and fans of the show couldn't vote for both. Meanwhile, Wendell Pierce and Stephen McKinley Henderson were both playing proud, down-on-their-luck older men. If that type of performance speaks to you more, the vote on that split too. 

Sean Hayes was in his own lane, playing a mentally ill real person, in a role that gave him an opportunity to showcase a musical skill, most people didn't know he had. 

I didnt say the voting was racially motivated...I said it was cringey and just looks bad. I didn't say Hayes was unworthy. 

You people seriously need reading comprehension.