The DRAMA DESKS got off easy. Embarrassing.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:03pm

The DRAMA DESK board got off easy. They reinstate the Orchestrations category, the Tony nods are announced, and suddenly all is well and forgotten.

I seem to be the only one who is still reeling from the Drama Desks` embarrassing decision to not have an Orchestrations category in the first place. It would be one thing if the decision was based on the fact that they did not deem anyone worthy of a nomination. But that was not their reason. They chose to ignore Orchestrators` contribution to theater for reasons of time, effort, and financial burden. Why not also exclude actors? Directors? Designers? Writers? That would save them a lot of time, effort, and money.

And THEN they go back and reinstate the category, to appease the theatre community and get us off their backs. If they did not have the sense to not even consider the elimination of the category in the first place, why bother come to their senses now? Its worthless. In my opinion, it wholely removes any validity and prestige that a Drama Desk Award had once held. If I were to win a Drama Desk this year, I would feel as if I won nothing.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:24pm

They probably feared the wrath of composers, orchestrators, and producers. Not only is it a disservice to members of the community, but a composer (like JRB, for example) could write to the Drama Desk announcing that they are withdrawing all future shows/scores from contention.

(Hal Prince did this when the Tony committee wanted to give a special award to the '71 No No Nanette before there was a Best Revival award, and he threatened to have all future productions removed from consideration for the Tonys).

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:27pm

I'm glad that the category was reinstated as its removal was not only an embarrassment for the Drama Desks but was also a direct slap in the face to anyone who works on orchestrations. By extension, it should be offensive to anyone who works in theatre because everyone knows how vital orchestration is for any piece. That being said, once they made the decision not to have the category, regardless of how they arrived at such a stupid decision, they were in a bad spot. Thankfully, orchestrators were able to be recognized with their reversal but I'm certain no orchestrator will forget the initial decision anytime soon. The Drama Desks are far from the prestige or legitimacy of the Tonys: they're really only used by shows that pick up some Drama Desk nominations or awards but no Tony awards/nominations for advertising purposes. This just makes them seem even more illegitimate.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:32pm

After seeing ONCE, I'm glad it was reinstated. Those orchestrations are breathtakingly beautiful.

[pair-o-dice]

Posted: 5/1/12 at 11:32pm

I thought the point of the petitions and uproar was to have the angered voices heard...which they clearly were. Whatever their reasons for reinstating the category it's what everyone wanted. It was a big mistake and an offensive decision, but the result was what the theater community wanted non-the-less. Voices were heard, changes were made.