There was SO much wrong with the Tony's last night, it's hard to keep it to one thread,

I know there's another thread about this but I hardly ever start thread, however, I am so disgusted at what I (thankfully), Tivo'd last night, that I'm embarrassed for the theatrical community.

The most horrific display of "where were the producers, directors, idea people for this show", HAD to be that tragic performance by the unbelievably out of tune Jesse Martin. You've got the legendary Chita Rivera in the building and you have Martin poorly croak out a verse and chorus of what is, IMO, one of the least exciting Kander& Ebb numbers of their entire catalogue??

You open the show with the same tired "Another Opening? You have Jackman make a fool out of himself doing a ridiculous medley and then have him sing with a WAY past her prime Aretha Franklin who apparently couldn't manage to learn the three words required? What were they thinking by bringing her on the show to begin with? WHY? It made Beyonce' Knowles seem like an absolute genius on the Oscars by comparison and that's saying a lot.

You would also think (or hope) that a show dedicated to awarding the BROADWAY season would be better at filming musical numbers. I didn't get ANY sense of the staging, choreo, or anything else for that matter. The muscial numbers were, for the most part, dreadful and didn't make me think I've really missed much at all. And if Spamalot and Ramirez are the show and performance of the season, respectively, than I'm staying right where I am. And let's not forget, I'm a huge Ramirez fan.

I could go on writing, but I do have to get on with the day. Note to the ladies, if you're going to tug at your dresses on national T.V. DON'T wear strapless gowns (Ramirez). And for my last quibble, I so wish that the winners could have spent some time memorizing their speeches. I find it so charmless when people (theater actors no less), pull out a speech that most likely could have been memorized (Folger, Jones, Clarke). And I know she's Cherry Jones and she can do whatever she wants, including passionately kiss Sarah Paulson, but come on, at least pretend it's a surprise, humour me.

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Updated On: 5/10/06 at 09:37 AM

I have to agree

Last year's "One Night Only," was so exciting. I expected something flamboyant (but I was happy to see him anyway.)
I wish he sang without Aretha.......

I am always amazed at the number of people (producers usually - or Elaine Stritch!) who begin their thank you speeches so slowly and grandly and self-importantly and then act surprised when the music starts to cut them off.

Do they think that after YEARS of watching award shows that they will magically be granted extra time to drone on!??

I've heard alot about Aretha here and on allthatchat.com and I think Broadway people don't have an appreication for Aretha Franklin. I really didn;t think she sounded bad. I mean, one thing is Christina Applegate not being able to sing but for Aretha, its purely her style. She has a very unique style of singing and believe it or not, she hasn't gotten any better or worse from years past (check out Divas live 1998 for a reference)

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I am a fan of Jesse Martin and I have to agree with Al, the performance was dreadful. Yes, I'm going as far as to say dreadful. I was scratching my head as why they used that particular song in tribute, as opposed to the numerous number of other Kander and Ebb songs they could have used instead. The entire number (especially the last note) was completely off-key.


Overall, did not find the show as enjoyable as in years past. The numbers sounded extremely "echoey",if that makes any sense. I don't know if something was up with the sound system or what, but I couldn't understand any of the lyrics to the opening of "Light in the Piazza", and I've seen the show !

Shut ya bitchin

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I think what made the Franklin performance awful was Hugh. Don't get me wrong, he's fine enough singer....it's was just a terrible match- up. What does Hugh have to do with Aretha? The two styles clashed....in my opinon. I love the Aretha's version of that song....you can find the solo version of it on the CD One Hand, One Heart.

Updated On: 6/6/05 at 10:29 AM

Have you ever noticed that if you have "RENT" anywhere in your signature then people automatically "put you down"...I am with you about the Tony's last night, they were okay, I enjoyed last years better, but last nights was fine...It had its fair moments of blunders and I even found myself saying, "what the?", but you go on, you get over it...

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I understand that Mr. Martin was singing it in tribute to Jerry Orbach, but I found the song choice to be bizzare nonetheless and not a great tribute to the late Mr. Orbach. And this is coming from a huge Jesse fan.

I'll just go ahead and say it, whether or not you agree with me is fine...

I'm tired of seeing Hugh Jackman tacked on to be the representative of the Broadway community when it comes to Tony time. He hasn't really done anything this year and I think he's a pretty poor performer. Now don't ask me to name anyone else who could have hosted. . .because I think you could name just about anyone and they would have been better than Hugh.

Overall it was a pretty dismal Tony's. Sad, really. I thought that the Spelling Bee performance has hysterical, the best of the evening--'course there wasn't THAT much singing, but man are those some committed actors; hilarious! SPAMALOT...nice. I love Sara, even when she strained and was a tad flat. Her face and her voice--killer. Didn't see all of DRS, PIAZZA was interesting, I suppose; I thought it was a nice piece ot pick because of the ending--it left you wanting to find out what happens next!

But yes, that's my short rant. Good-bye Hugh, hello someone new! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS SACRED.

[Edit: Pardon my release-date ignorance, but is the Spelling Bee obcr out yet?? i must have. pm me with info!! thanks all.]

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Updated On: 6/6/05 at 10:52 AM

Thibodeaux, you make some good points. But not nearly as good as your avatar. Oh, my!!