Why CRY-BABY may be the next SPAMALOT (or Why ITH may be the next PIAZZA)

[EugLoven]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 11:50pm

The Power of the Tony lies in the Power of the Tour.

I will not be surprised if/when IN THE HEIGHTS takes all the creative awards (ie: book, score, performances), much like THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.... only to find CRY-BABY take the title (much like SPAMALOT).

The potential to tour (ie: the ability to rake in the dough by criss-crossing the nation to feed the non-discriminating Middle-American theatre-goer) is the determining factor and the reason why so many nominations went to unlikely contenders.

Same story with PAJAMA GAME versus SWEENEY TODD.

Lest we forget, the bottom-line is the dollar. Listen to Debra Monk (in the words of Kander & Ebb): "It's a business."

EDIT: This is mere theory. Goodness sake, not my personal belief as who will be winner. Merely playing the "let's just suppose" card and of course, welcome to thoughtful litigation. Updated On: 5/14/08 at 11:50 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:03am

But, SPAMALOT got good reviews, no?

Isn't that the main difference between SPAMALOT and CRY BABY?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:04am

Spamalot was also a huge hit before the nominations were announced.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:05am

I personally think this is part of the reason In The Heights will win and Passing Strange wont...there is zero future for Passing Strange in terms of touring, I dont even know that it could survive Stew leaving on Broadway.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:06am

The potential to tour (ie: the ability to rake in the dough by criss-crossing the nation to feed the non-discriminating Middle-American theatre-goer) is the determining factor and the reason why so many nominations went to unlikely contenders.

Same story with PAJAMA GAME versus SWEENEY TODD.

And who ended up actually going on tour? Ah, irony.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:09am

By this theory, shouldn't Mary Poppins had won last year?

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:11am

Eug, I totally follow your mindset and theories, and agree with them, but I think for ALL of those reasons, ITH will win. In my opinion, it deserves the "Best" title, but aside from that, it IS a bright, new, fresh musical, with contemporary music, that can entertain the whole family. That means that it'll tour well. With enough coverage, it'll sell well on tour. And Cry- Baby is actually a more offensive, less well reviewed, Wedding- Singer- esque nominee. I think the committee needed a show in that fourth slot and they knew whatever it was would have NOOOOO chance of winning. So they picked Cry Baby over Catered Affair because out of context, its number would entertain more on the Tony's... among other reasons. Wide- spread appreciation is more likely for Cry Baby. But it has no chance of winning. Even Xanadu is a more recognizable movie title, and In The Heights IS more tour- friendly, not to mention better.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:12am

luvtheemcee: Touche and I knew someone would mention that. I'm in the camp that PJGAME won with the idea it would tour, and the misguided thought SWEENEY wasn't tour-able. Thank goodness it DID!

Everyone Else: Do NOT count me as one of the camp who think CRY-BABY will succeed. I really really don't think it will. Nor do I want it too! (goodness nor do I!)

I'm just playing the role (similar of US Homeland Security) saying "don't be surprised if..." merely for the ability to say "toldja so" later in the game.

Jennifer: I totally agree with your theory (stronger than my own, in fact). In either theory, however, is of course the object of business. Filling a slot based on business-potential than merit.

PS: OMG! I just noticed that the flight-attendants in the BOEING-BOEING advertisement/banner on the top of this website are WINKING (and they look creepy!)

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 12:12 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:24am

PJGAME won with the idea it would tour

Oh, yes, absolutely; and it seems more tour-able than something like the Doyle Sweeney. Personally, I'm glad for the irony. Shows up convention a little bit.

[burntplains]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:56am

"there is zero future for Passing Strange in terms of touring, I dont even know that it could survive Stew leaving on Broadway"

~~~~

I agree with what you said about passing strange, except for the stew part. I honestly don't think it would matter... Stew is a NOBODY! People are not going to the show to see STEW, They could easily find another big black guy who can talk through that horrible score.

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 12:56 AM

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 1:35am

Stew is probably the opposite of 'nobody' when it comes to Passing Strange. Just because you didn't like it, doesn't mean everyone didn't as well. I highly doubt any other "big black guy," can fill his shoes.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:40am

-- "there is zero future for Passing Strange in terms of touring, I dont even know that it could survive Stew leaving on Broadway"


Wouldn't Stew pretty much want to and have to stay with the show until the end of its run? I mean it's not as if he's just the actor they happened to cast as a certain character in a certain show; this is HIS show, he is playing himself in a personal performance piece that tells his story.

[A Director]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 3:09am

A NOBODY? His show just won the New York Drama Critic's Circle Award for BEST MUSICAL!

[burntplains]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 1:58pm

I know it's personal.. but someone else could tell his story!

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:08pm

Stew does have an understudy so it's not like he doesn't feel others can't play the role. He probably has more emotionally invested in it but that's only speculation.

But In the Heights is a very local interest show and makes me wonder how it would ever tour middle America. I mean, tourists I sat near one time thought it was Brooklyn Heights. And someone else thought it was in Bronx Heights. Not that I'm positive it wouldn't work it just seems like a difficult show to tour.

I think the tour vote is such a minute percent of the voters that In the Heights will prevail.

But, it won't win best book. The book is the weakest element of the show. (Xanadu will snag its award here. The book is really quite clever.)

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 02:08 PM

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:09pm

SPAMalot and PIAZZA are excellent shows. They deserved their wins.

From what I have seen/heard, so is ITH.

I am a HUGE Johnny Depp/John Waters fan, but I loathe the movie CRY BABY. I haven't seen the live show and from the reviews, I don't want to. I seriously doubt it will win.

ITH and CRY BABY (as any show can with the proper funding and arrangement) could both tour easily, regardless of a win/loss.

[Calvin]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:11pm

In the case Stew is unable to perform, his role will be played by Madge Allsop.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:15pm

Actually luvtheemcee, The Pajama Game IS touring during the 2008-2009 season.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:18pm

I meant up until now. So far it hasn't happened, it isn't currently happening, and thus my point still stands.

Presumably people voted for The Pajama Game because they thought it was the more likely of the two to go on tour, right? So people voted for it on the basis that it was the most tourable, and yet what those same people didn't vote for was the one that ended up on tour -- sooner, and until The Pajama Game tour actually happens, at all. (They promised a commercial open-run transfer too, didn't they?) I don't know what's unclear about that.

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 02:18 PM

[gilliane]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:19pm

The two aren't comparable at all, Spamalot totally deserved its Tonys, and should have won more (and I still think it's a crime DHP wasn't even nominated).

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:21pm

If Cry-Baby wins, I will lose all faith in Broadway.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:23pm

Actually happens? It's on the tour schedule for several cities already in their Broadway series. It's happening.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:24pm

You are completely missing my point.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:27pm

Okay everyone calm down! You guys know that I am not a CRY-BABY fan!

If it wins the TONYS~ its okay! Remember We had Bush as President for 8 yrs~Did we all lose faith in America and this TONYS thing is all POLITICS too!!!


and all that Jazz!

J*

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:28pm

^ Um, yes. :P