I tried to stay away from the boards during the past few weeks with awards and such going on, as I knew there would be nary a kind comment towards what was my favorite show of the season. But this morning I couldn't resist and had to see what was being said after yesterday's slap in the PQ face.
Of course the show SHOULD have been nominated for costumes. And of course it SHOULD have been nominated for choreography. Not to mention for one of the most stunning lighting designs in this or any other season of late. And were the show received better, at least 3 or 4 of the actors SHOULD have been recognized for their work. But it was NEVER going to happen. It was abundantly clear in the press and in the Broadway community since the show opened in Chicago that PQ was never going to be given any love or respect, and for whatever reason (rich producers, successful FRENCH composers, a distaste for this genre of musical...who knows?) that this show would have to fight an uphill battle from the get go. So while I had some distant hope that the show would be recognized for something, I had a feeling it probably wouldn't be. And then when it happened, and they were completely shut out, I realized what a joke these awards really are. With all due respect to other shows and their creative teams- once you nominate Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens for their costumes over PQ, it becomes very clear that a strong statement is intentionally being made that no matter what, this show will never be advertising itself as a "Tony Nominated" show.
But you know what? I don't think it's going to matter.
It will probably still last longer than many other shows that were nominated. Their numbers, even after some of the worst reviews in recent memory and hugely discounted tickets, have still stayed steady. And despite SPECULATION on their HUGE weekly nut and how they are living on the edge of getting kicked out of the Hilton at any moment, I have it on very good authority that their numbers are well above what anyone involved thought they'd be after such scathing reviews and intentionally hurtful gossip reporting. And they are WELL above what their stop clause would be in their contracts with The Hilton, and have thus far been nowhere near such a low attendance where they would be evicted. From what I've heard, those involved with the show get a good laugh out of reading speculation as to what their weekly running costs must be, seeing them over estimated sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars on this and other message boards. Look at the show, people. Often (sometimes to the detriment of the piece, I admit) there is nothing more than an actor standing alone on the stage singing with maybe a ships wheel there as a set piece. Another tribute to the incredible lighting design that people go away thinking this is such an expensive show to run. Of course, it isn't cheap! But if you don't know what the numbers are, then be quiet. And don't assume.
I freely admit that I have a friend closely involved with this show behind the scenes, and hope that they, along with the rest of the PQ team have jobs for a long time. But more importantly, I hope all involved took a collective sigh of relief yesterday, and realized they've made it through the worst of it. Their out of town tryout was ripped apart. Their preview process was closely scrutinized. Their opening was met with terrible reviews. Michael Reidel and company did their best to stir up enough gossip to get them kicked out of their theater. And now the Tony nominators have made it abundantly clear that these pirates are not welcome on Broadway.
Now take a deep breath. Realize that a lot of people (certainly enough to keep you running) are still showing up to see what the writers of Miss Saigon and Les MIz along with the producers of Riverdance have come up with. Enjoy the fact that (at least at the numerous performances I've seen) people are enjoying your show every night. And embrace the fact that now it's just a job. Albeit, what I think is a pretty special job.
And hopefully people will leave you alone for a while.
-QB
Updated On: 5/16/07 at 11:08 AM
