Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category- Page 2
Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
#25re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 6:07pm
"Like "Liza's at the Palace" is an artistic achievement. It's a washed-up gay icon doing a bad impression of herself and gargling out Kander and Ebb songs."
piraguaguy2 is wrong on so many aspects that it becomes incredibly laughable ... in fact I'd say 100% wrong, but nothing (no, nothing) is ever 100% anything.
2016 These Paper Bullets (1/02) Our Mother's Brief Affair (1/06), Dragon Boat Racing (1/08), Howard - reading (1/28), Shear Madness (2/10), Fun Home (2/17), Women Without Men (2/18), Trip Of Love (2/21), The First Gentleman -reading (2/22), Southern Comfort (2/23), The Robber Bridegroom (2/24), She Loves Me (3/11), Shuffle Along (4/12), Shear Madness (4/14), Dear Evan Hansen (4/16), American Psycho (4/23), Tuck Everlasting (5/10), Indian Summer (5/15), Peer Gynt (5/18), Broadway's Rising Stars (7/11), Trip of Love (7/27), CATS (7/31), The Layover (8/17), An Act Of God (8/31), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (8/24), Heisenberg (10/12), Fiddler On The Roof (11/02), Othello (11/23), Dear Evan Hansen (11/26), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (12/21) 2017 In Transit (2/01), Groundhog Day (4/04), Ring Twice For Miranda (4/07), Church And State (4/10), The Lucky One (4/19), Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (5/16), Building The Wall (5/19), Indecent (6/01), Six Degrees of Separation (6/09), Marvin's Room (6/28), A Doll's House Pt 2 (7/25) Curvy Widow (8/01)
#26re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 6:10pmCarrie Fisher gonna be piiiisssed
#27re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 6:15pm
Get real, Liza's won it - game over!
Slava's Snowshow?
Soul of Shaolin?
Purrlease!
#28re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 7:23pm
I, for one, support the decision. Broadway is a theme park anyway, and a lot of these Special Event productions bring their show to "Broadway" as a gimmick to sell itself. That doesn't mean that there isn't room for them, but Broadway is first and foremost the venue for producing plays and musical theatre.
What I do not support, however, is that these shows can compete with plays and musicals. Designing a set for Cirque du Soliel requires different parameters for designing a set for a play. It's not fair.
Now I haven't seen CONTACT or MOVIN' OUT, but I would assume that these shows reek "Special Event" status. They're just like a Riverdance or a Stomp, no? Song & dance with thin storylines...? I would hope shows that are more in that direction would not be deemed a play or musical.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#29re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 7:38pmMaybe they got confused and meant LIZA should RETIRE.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#30re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 7:39pmI don't think Movin Out "reeks" of special event at all. Was it the best show? Not really, but it told an interesting story and felt like a somewhat substantial piece of theater.
#31re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 8:05pm
I agree alliez. I saw "Movin' Out" and I think to simplify it as "Song and dance with a thin storyline..." is a little rash. I found it to be beautiful and quite moving, and reducing it so, cheapens its impact. Simply because dance was the main focus, doesn't mean its not substantial theater, or a "musical". It blended, song, dance, and story like every other musical, just in another way. Even more so considering all the music was sung live, unlike Contact. Which I did not see, so I won't judge.
I did agree with a lot of what you said though CapnHook. And with most of your posts on the message boards, for that matter. :)
"...and in a bed."
#32re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 8:27pmAgain, I haven't seen CONTACT or MOVIN' OUT so I can't really have a say in those particular shows, I can only assume what they were from clips I've seen. But thanks. :-P
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#33re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 8:52pm
Broadway is a theme park anyway, and a lot of these Special Event productions bring their show to "Broadway" as a gimmick to sell itself. That doesn't mean that there isn't room for them, but Broadway is first and foremost the venue for producing plays and musical theatre.
Except that "special event" shows existed long before the category was created. And Broadway has never been exclusive to only plays and musicals in its 100+ years of existence.
Now I haven't seen CONTACT or MOVIN' OUT, but I would assume that these shows reek "Special Event" status. They're just like a Riverdance or a Stomp, no? Song & dance with thin storylines...?
Nope. They were ballets. Contact was three short ballets, each unrelated story was more emotionally and psychologically complex that the last. Movin' Out was one ballet consisting of a story about the social dynamics that changed withing a group of friends and lovers as they matured during a time of social upheaval and turmoil. Both shows featured outstanding performances, both in dancing and acting, and showcased brilliant choreography. Contact used pre-recorded music and Movin' Out featured a live orchestra and singers.
Riverdance is a spectacle with no story created to feature Irish music and dance. Stomp also has no story and is a conceptual piece based on the creative use of dance and percussive arts.
Neither Contact nor Movin' Out resemble Riverdance or Stomp any more than Swan Lake, Company B or Coppelia would.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#34re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 9:36pm
Movin' Out at least featured live singing. Contact not so much.
Piragua are you the one gay guy Liza refused to date?
#35re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 9:40pmI'd like to see a "Best Ensemble" award.
Jekyll & Hyde back on Broadway! / Rock of Ages - 5 Tony nominations! Awesome!
#36re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 10:11pmBut WHO gets to take home the trophy?? The Gypsy Robe winner? I think that's the main thing preventing this from happening.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#37re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 10:19pmAn ensemble award is such an AWFUL idea. Every performer would have a Tony, it would have no meaning.
#38re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 10:31pmI can see Ensemble working for a play cast but not a musical.
#39re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/18/09 at 10:35pmPerhaps not a Tony, but a special honor that's given in the pre-broadcast with the design & special awards? Name it after a theatre figure who has a lasting legacy in ensemble-ism.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
CurtisTaylorJr2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/17/06
#40re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:25amI don't see this as fair. Musicals and plays are completely different than specialty shows and concerts, so there is no good reason for them to compete in the same categories.
#41re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:33amThe Jennifer Cody Award For Gypsy Excellence
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#42re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:36am
The powers that be at the Tonys can't make up their freaking minds. They keep adding and then taking away categories.
Remember when they were adding the two Best Replacement categories? And they had all those crazy rules and qualifications...and then they decided not to instate them after all.
I think the Tony awards should be a bit more specific as to what qualifies a "Special Event." I don't really see why or how YOU'RE WELCOME AMERICA was a special event...it was a limited engagement but it was a brand new play with brand new writing, a substantial storyline, and doesn't fit the bill at all for a "Special Theatrical Event" to me. What IS the Tony awards' idea of a "Special Theatrical Event?" If they made their qualifications a bit clearer, I think it would clear this mess up. Or maybe if they just decided to give the award to a winner without nominations every year, or at least in the years they deem a show worthy of the title.
I'm so tired...hahaha. Sorry if that's not in English.
Updated On: 6/19/09 at 12:36 AM
logan0215
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/05
#43re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:38am
If "Everyday Rapture" transfers for a limited run to Broadway, it's unfortunate that it will be most likely overshadowed by the new musicals of next season rather than be considered and recognized as a theatrical event...
I feel that if the parameters of "Theatrical Event" were made more clear and stringent, it would be beneficial to keep.
#44re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 12:57amI just don't think it's fair that shows which are clearly special events, like Liza at the Palace, won't be fairly awarded. At the same time, I don't think it's fair these "special events" will take nominations away from shows that are clearly musicals and plays.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#45re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 1:44am
Rocks took the words out out my mouth.
To elaborate, the Tony Nomination carries a huge honor. Nominating two or three shows just to have the category may have seemed (to the Tony committee) degrading to the prestige of the nomination. So, why not just announce a winner, and no nominees? It is a worth category as there are a handful of eligible events every season.
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
#46re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:13am
I'm pretty sure it's so they can cram more popular tour performances in the broadcast.
Expect to see a random number from Phantom of the Opera next year.
I think this is a bad idea. Special Event was an interesting category and it allowed non-traditional theatre fare to get some publicity as well as fencing those shows off so they don't either get swallowed up by the real musicals and plays or overthrow them.
Special Theatrical Event is a necessary award.
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#47re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:15am
hahahaha, defyingravity07!
It's funny because it's true. :p
"...and in a bed."
#48re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 3:50am
I really doubt they did this just so they could fit in more touring performances, I mean really, get over it.
But I really don't think this was a good move. I see no good reason as to why they would do this.
#49re: Tony Awards to 'Retire' Special Theatrical Event Category
Posted: 6/19/09 at 7:49amI thought it was fine the was it was. Who cares if they can't compete in the other categories - they aren't the same!!!
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