Way Too Early 2019 Tony Predictions thread — Page 28

One interesting thing to note--since they split the revival categories in 1994, only once has the winner of Best Revival of a Play not been nominated for directing (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest in 2001). So while hardly anyone seems to be predicting Lila Neuberger (or for that matter Moises Kaufman or Joe Mantello), it seems like whoever's winning Revival (likely Waverly) is, from a stats perspective, almost a lock for a directing nom.

I can see Guettel and Kahane getting in. I can also see a world where Adam Cork gets in for Ink.

Since we're talking about play directors, I have to say this.

I thought Lila Neugebauer's direction of Waverly Gallery was easily the weakest part of the production and the only thing holding it back. I was sitting kind of to the audience right (not even extreme right) of the house when I saw it and there were multiple scenes when I was looking at the back of someone's head for extended periods of time because they were sitting at a table. I understand that you have to do that when people sit at tables, but she never took the opportunity to move characters around or turn around when they were talking. This caused me to miss relating to multiple key characters in key moments. Also, the choices made during the scene changes, for my money, totally stopped the flow of emotion and action, while not adding anything to the story. In fact they mostly just baffled me as I tried to figure out what was going on with the projections. Now, perhaps, that is what she was going for...to maybe put us inside Elaine May's character's head, but it didn't necessarily work for me. It just distanced me. I kept thinking how poorly the show was directed rather than thinking I was being swept up in the story.

So, in a season with so many great plays, I do not think she deserves a nomination here.

This is also the reason I am hoping that Waverly Gallery does not win Best Revival. I understand that nothing else stands out this year, but I am now officially pulling for "The Boys in the Band" which I think was the strongest revival and had the strongest reviews of any revival this year. It also had uniformly strong performances, like Waverly did...but also had better direction and design in my opinion. Or perhaps "All My Sons" which I haven't seen yet so don't have an opinion on.

OK, that's all. Carry on.

Updated On: 4/26/19 at 11:01 AM

TFMH18 said: "I think it's insane to count out Constitution in the best play race. I actually think it's a two-horse race between it and Ferryman. The fact that it's a mostly one-woman show does not work against it and in fact, sort of adds to this great narrative the play has had (a woman telling her story, and people listening)."

A woman telling her own story and people listening is a great narrative. But an awards-darling producer with a production of an American literary classic (by a much-respected writer who has never won) chock-full of Broadway veterans that is selling out, has recouped, and is touring is a far bigger Tony threat. With that said, I think Ferryman actually ends up taking it, but I see Mockingbird as a close 2nd with Constitution a very distant 3rd.

MrJNLong said: "Since we're talking about play directors, I have to say this.

I thought Lila Neugebauer's direction of Waverly Gallery was easily the weakest part of the production and the only thing holding it back. I was sitting kind of to the audience right (not even extreme right) of the house when I saw it and there were multiple scenes when I was looking at the back of someone's head for extended periods of time because they were sitting at a table. I understand that you have to do that when people sit at tables, but she never took the opportunity to move characters around or turn around when they were talking. This caused me to miss relating to multiple key characters in key moments. Also, the choices made during the scene changes, for my money, totally stopped the flow of emotion and action, while not adding anything to the story. In fact they mostly just baffled me as I tried to figure out what was going on with the projections. Now, perhaps, that is what she was going for...to maybe put us inside Elaine May's character's head, but it didn't necessarily work for me. It just distanced me. I kept thinking how poorly the show was directed rather than thinking I was being swept up in the story.

So, in a season with so many great plays, I do not think she deservesa nomination here.

This is also the reason I am hoping that Waverly Gallery does not win Best Revival. I understand that nothing else stands out this year, but I am now officially pulling for "The Boys in the Band" which I think was the strongest revival and had the strongest reviews of any revival this year. It also had uniformly strong performances, like Waverly did...but also had better direction and design in my opinion. Or perhaps "All My Sons" which I haven't seen yet so don't have an opinion on.

OK, that's all. Carry on."

I LOVED The Waverly Gallery. But, I don't totally disagree here about the direction. While the scenes didn't necessarily call for a lot of movement, since most scenes are just dinner with grandma, but being in the back of the orchestra it was difficult to hear Lucas Hedges during those scenes. Didn't take away from the play for me, but I completely understand your point.

As someone who has a mom with dementia, this revival of The Waverly Gallery affected me in a powerful and personal way unequaled by any other theatrical experience thus far. It was both a vision of how we got to where we are now and a map of the difficult road ahead for my mom and I. In fact, I had moved my mom from assisted living to a Medicaid-approved nursing home two days prior. I am actually in the minority as I liked the transitional projections. It made me reflect on my mom and her days as a young, vibrant woman, which made what came after all the more tragic. This one is personal for me. I’m really pulling for May to win and for it to win best revival. I feel like those wins will be a win for all people dealing with dementia, including their loved ones. I know that sounds a bit (okay a lot) melodramatic, but I’m pretty passionate about this revival in case there was any doubt. It was the first time I wrote a letter to the cast and creatives to thank them and the first I ordered the play script afterwards which I devoured the day it arrived.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-Tony-Awards-Administration-Committee-Announces-Eligilibity-Rulings-for-HADESTOWN-TOOTSIE-More-20190426

Regarding Neugebauer’s direction:

I’ve seen a TON of shows that she directed (she’s one of the most in-demand directors Off-Broadway these days), and I’ve found that where she really shines is in her ability to direct engaging and effective hypernaturalism. Few directors match her ability to make conversations and moments feel totally ripped from real life, and to suck the audience in and almost make them forget they’re watching a play.

I agree that her physical staging of Waverly didn’t always support the show as much as I might have liked, but I think the skill I mentioned above did really shine through...for most of the performances....

It’s interesting to read that Lucas Hedges was difficult to hear, because when I sat in the rear mezz I felt like he was shouting all of his lines. I wonder if at some point Neugebauer gave him the note to be louder, and he overcompensated in the other direction.

BEST MUSICAL

1- Hadestown

2- Tootsie

3- The Prom

4- Ain't Too Proud


If a 5th

- Beetlejuice

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Updated On: 4/28/19 at 04:52 PM

A0326T said: "I did see the Prom here in Chicago but basing on what I've read here I feel Hadestown all the way ..."

If I'm not mistaken, THE PROM premiered in Atlanta at the Alliance Theater in summer 2016. There wasn't a production of THE PROM in Chicago...

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Warren Carlyle Kiss Me, Kate

Denis Jones Tootsie or possibly Spencer Liff Head Over Heels

David Neumann Hadestown

Casey Nicholaw The Prom

Sergio Trujillo Ain't Too Proud

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Updated On: 4/27/19 at 08:19 PM

I think The Cher Show could be competition for Choreography

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BEST COSTUMES MUSICAL



William Ivey Long Beetlejuice

Michael Krass, Hadestown

Arianne Phillips Head Over Heels

Jeff Mashie Kiss Me Kate

Bob Mackie, The Cher Show

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