#26
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:26am
The same reason that LSOH wasn't--it had been too long since Off-bway and Bway.
WONDERFUL TOWN at 47.3% — Page 2
#27
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:27am
I know. But still. When it comes to Sondheim I throw fairness and rules to the wind.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#28
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:34am
It was a real test of the new "classics" rule of the Tonys. While Little Shop had been done literally thousands of times around the country and was a major motion picture, Assassins wasn't quite as established. Its Playwrights run was short (and not successful critically) and though it had been done a few hundred times at colleges etc., it really hadn't had a major professional mounting since the initial one off-Broadway.
Even the Tony voters themselves weren't so sure Assassins qualified as a "classic." The vote of the nominating committee was 10 to 9, so just one vote going the other way would have meant Assassins would have been considered a new musical, and subsequently would likely have swept the Tonys even more than it did (Sondheim's score would have been eligible).
Even the Tony voters themselves weren't so sure Assassins qualified as a "classic." The vote of the nominating committee was 10 to 9, so just one vote going the other way would have meant Assassins would have been considered a new musical, and subsequently would likely have swept the Tonys even more than it did (Sondheim's score would have been eligible).
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#29
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:39am
That is the MOST ridiculous thing I have ever read on this board. EVER.
Really?? The MOST rediculous? Surely there have been things written that have been many times more absurd. I think saying Big River would have won Best Revival after Assassins is pretty tame. I don't think doctors are gonna check my mental state over it.
Really?? The MOST rediculous? Surely there have been things written that have been many times more absurd. I think saying Big River would have won Best Revival after Assassins is pretty tame. I don't think doctors are gonna check my mental state over it.
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
#30
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:41am
no--that you claim the reason had to do with the Weisslers and WT that BR did not beat Assassins. Remember that Assassins did win.
#31
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:48am
I don't think there was any way Big River was going to win the Tony over Assassins, I mean compare how many nominations Big River got compared to Assassins.
Big River closed too early while Assassins was still running during voting time. And not to mention that even though it is technically a revival, people were seeing it as a hot new Sondheim musical. The fact that it was very close to being considered a new show (so it could qualify for more awards and win them most likely) shows that, in my opinion.
Big River closed too early while Assassins was still running during voting time. And not to mention that even though it is technically a revival, people were seeing it as a hot new Sondheim musical. The fact that it was very close to being considered a new show (so it could qualify for more awards and win them most likely) shows that, in my opinion.
"I've got to get me out of here
This place is full of dirty old men
And the navigators and their mappy maps
And moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes
While you stare at your books."
#32
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:48am
Of course none of the other nominees had a chance against Assassins. I'm just saying that Big River would have been the runner-up, if the Weisslers weren't behind WT.
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
#33
Posted: 8/31/04 at 2:08am
I saw both WT and Assassins several times and would see them again. I just don't understand the logic - if there is any logic in this Tony business... The economic fate of WT would have been saved if it had won the Tony. But Assassins didn't do much better at the box office, even after winning. So, in the end both shows missed out.
"If you walked on the moon or you flew by a star, is that any more remarkable than here where you are? Who would have thought it?" W. E. Kennon
#34
Posted: 8/31/04 at 2:15am
Yeah--I have tickets for the 5th--I hope it's still open then. I don't give it very long. But I don't think it's fair that LSOH closed when
1) it was awsome
2) the grosses weren't as bad as shows open now (ie Wonderful Town) but it closed.
1) it was awsome
2) the grosses weren't as bad as shows open now (ie Wonderful Town) but it closed.
#35
Posted: 8/31/04 at 6:40am
Do we have to start a thread every week with how badly Wonderful Town is doing and how mad we all are that it's still going while Little Shop Of Horrors has closed?
The Weisslers are richer than God and if they want to keep Wonderful Town open, nobody can stop them. End of story.
And there is a big difference between knocking LSOH and being critical of the recently closed revival of LSOH, Tiny Toon, so maybe you should calm down and stop being so knee jerk reactionary.
The Weisslers are richer than God and if they want to keep Wonderful Town open, nobody can stop them. End of story.
And there is a big difference between knocking LSOH and being critical of the recently closed revival of LSOH, Tiny Toon, so maybe you should calm down and stop being so knee jerk reactionary.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#36
Posted: 8/31/04 at 12:17pm
I'll probably get some slack for this, but here goes. I hope that WT does remain open as long as they can do it. With the load of crap that is out there today (Wicked, Mamma Mia, Aida, Dracula, etc.) it is refreshing to spend my money on a show with beautiful music and beautiful singing, a heartwarming story and some of the best dancing on Broadway today. Yes...I am a fan of the old standards, but that is only because most of the stuff actually being produced on Broadway today is terrible. I am hoping that Little Women will do well.
#37
Posted: 8/31/04 at 12:25pm
I'm with ya, Bug.
But you can forget the "beautiful singing" once Brooke Shields takes over..
But you can forget the "beautiful singing" once Brooke Shields takes over..
"Years from now, when you talk about this - And you will - Be kind. "
#38
Posted: 8/31/04 at 12:26pm
Oh yes. Yes you can.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#39
Posted: 8/31/04 at 12:43pm
Yes...sadly Brooke is no singer, but I'm hoping that she will bring a freshness and a realness to the character. Believe me, I am a huge Donna Murphy fan (PASSION is still the greatest), but I thought her characterization of Ruth was a little over the top. If you have ever read the stories by Ruth McKenney, you would see that Ruth and Eileen were just regular girls with big dreams. Luckily Rosalind Russell was no singer as well so the original keys are quite low and very speechlike. Donna Murphy beefed up the tunes a bit (and they were definitely fantastic). I'm going to at least give Brooke a chance. Hopefully this will not mean death to the show. I suppose we shall see in a couple of weeks.
#40
Posted: 8/31/04 at 1:05pm
I must disagree slightly, jrb. I just don't think 'Wonderful Town' was going to run regardless. It's an obscure work that people have no nostalgia for and borders on coming off as old-fashioned camp. Sure, 'thousands' of people have enjoyed it but that's a pointless statement. Broadway shows play to thousands of people by their nature. 'Carrie' played to 'thousands of people,' too. I think 'WT' would have had about the same fate, regardless if it had won the Tony or not. It's done decently and it's gotten some people more interested in the show but I don't think it would have been a bigger commercial success even if a couple more chips had fallen its way.
#41
Posted: 8/31/04 at 2:26pm
I think the bad press did the show in. Whenever the show was mentioned, it was because of Donna Murphy's (perceived or actual) absences. The reviewers were mostly unanimous in their praise of her so ticket buyers might be skittish about buyting tickets for a show where the perception is that the leading lady doesn't appear. The lackluster CD didn't help matters. I wonder if the theater's location is also responsible.
I saw the show for a second time last week, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Donna Murphy is just a wonder. I met her at the stage door, and she was incredibly nice. She signed my Passions dvd, and she said that they are organizing a ten year tribute concert/performance to Passions. She said it might be at the Ambassador Theatre.
I saw the show for a second time last week, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Donna Murphy is just a wonder. I met her at the stage door, and she was incredibly nice. She signed my Passions dvd, and she said that they are organizing a ten year tribute concert/performance to Passions. She said it might be at the Ambassador Theatre.
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