Why Wasn't WEDDING SINGER Nominated For Lighting Design...and other thoughts...

***SPOILERS BELOW***

So I saw WEDDING SINGER today. I generally enjoyed the show. There's lots of unnecessary little bits in there, like the water and when Kevin Cahoon and the Granny go behind the curtain, double dancers come out and do the snake, then the real Cahoon and Granny come back out, and some other things that made me think "they spent all this time, effort, money, and creativity on something that lasted 2 seconds?"

Anyway, I can't believe this show is not nominated for Lighting Design. It's one of the most amazing designs I have ever seen. Was TARZAN's lighting really better?

And finally, the major flaw with the show is that I could care less about Robbie and the girl (see, I forgot her name). All the featured roles stood out and made the show for me. Stephen Lynch and Laura Benati give fine performances, but the roles don't carry the show.

One final thing, I sat in the very last row in the balcony and there were ZERO centimeters between the back of the seat in front of me. It bruised my legs. For Act II I moved down two rows to an empty seat and there were like 3 inches. WTF!?

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Electric. Very into it.

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Crowded? How did you like the set? Score?

I see what you mean about the little bits, but it's comedy, so I think the little bits are sometimes funny (though I didn't care for the doubles dancing).

I think the strongest thing about "Wedding Singer' is the ensemble and, though it probably won't win, the choreography is wonderful. I've seen it a couple of times and found it immensely enjoyable each. Definitely not a "how much longer is this thing" type of show. There should be an ensemble award.

Curtain, you didn't like the show, why do you post negativity in every thread? just skip them and save your energies.
Im glad you liked the show CapnHook, was the theatre that busy? that's great news. I am still very upset about the fact that Amy Spanger didn't get nominated. The lighting was indeed fabulous as well.

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"Wedding Singer isn't lit like a musical... it is lit like a rock concert.... "

I would very much disagree with this comment. The majority of WS is lit like a musical, with appropriate parts lit like a so-called "rock concert" (e.g. Saturday...City). Overall, though, I really liked the lighting. I think Tarzan should and will win, but WS should have gotten a nomination here over Drowsy, whose lighting is pretty much a wash of white light the entire show.

I believe the entrie orchestra was filled and all of center and right mezz was filled. half of left mezz was filled. It looked like a group didn't make it to the show.

I liked half of the score. I loved the Act I finale which I was singing throughout intermission, but when the show was over I had forgotten how every song went.

Kevin Cahoon was a standout for me. He was brilliant. And I LOVED the TABOO reference. I was thinking of that show the minute I saw him on stage.

And I agree, the choreography was brilliant. I was a bit puzzled as to why there was no overture yet there was an entr'acte. And there was no pre-show announcement about cell phones!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT IS UP WITH THAT!? Cell phones went off repeatedly throughout the show.

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I split the CD cost with a friend so I could burn it.

I agree that they deserve nods, but I haven't seen the other shows to compare with. Seeing DROWSEY tomorrow.

I got to speak with some of the cast at a talk back after the show. Spoke with Benati, Finnley, the guy who plays Mr. T, and that's all I remember. Cahoon and Lynch didn't do it. They told us to watch the Tonys and one of the chorus actors jokingly said as we were leaving "don't see JERSEY BOYS!" (but in a joking non-sincere matter).

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They didn't do the talk back.

Tomorrow I see AWAKE AND SING and DROWSEY CHAPERONE.

Sunday I see the Tony rehearsal.

Tuesday I see SWEENEY TODD

Wednesday & Thurs I see something from TKTS. I want to see COLOR PURPLE and JERSEY BOYS, but seeing as I probably can't get tickets for JB as its not on TKTS and I can't do rush, I will see something else. I'm considering TARZAN.

Friday I see STUFF HAPPENS.

Saturday I see two shows. No clue what yet. I might see Jersey Boys and pay $110.

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I just didn't understand the quote "Cahoon and Lynch didn't do it" i was intrigued to know what they didn't do?

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The Tony Nominators wouldn't have nominated Wedding Singer, if it wasn't for the "4 shows must be nominated" rule. It has already been discussed that they regarded TWS as "the best of the worst," which it was. They were appauled at having to nominate it.

once again i agree with you Capn, except i rather liked Lynch. it was Benati that i felt was awful and so blah...

i was lucky regarding the seating though. we were in your seat when we saw it and then right before the show started i was able to move down to the middle of the balcony and stretch my legs over the seats. there was like 50 people up there TOPS!

Yankeefan007, read Michael Riedel's column again. According to him, the Tony nominators were 'appalled' at having to nominate 'Threepenny Opera,' not 'The Wedding Singer.' Riedel does say they 'weren't happy' about nominating a fourth musical, but that's Riedel's reading of the situation. Have you noticed that he's knocked 'The Wedding Singer' at every chance in each column? (Did Margo Lion kick Riedel's puppy?)

For the record, the show got great reviews from John Simon, the Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Time Out New York, etc. Plus, it was nominated for Best Musical by the Drama League, and it got 8 Drama Desk nominations (tying it with 'Jersey Boys'), and the Drama Desk totally skunked 'The Color Purple.'

To me, 'The Wedding Singer' deserves the 5 Tony nominations it got on its own merits, and should've been up for more: Amy Spanger, Felicia Finley, Matthew Saldivar, the sets, costumes, orchestrations, etc. In another season, Rob Ashford's lively choreography should've been a shoo-in for a Tony, but I imagine it'll go to Kathleen Marshall because Tony voters will want to recognize her wonderful work in 'Pajama Game' in some way. Tony nominations are the luck of the draw, popularity and politics; it depends on what else is up in the same season, and the very subjective tastes of the Tony nominators and voters.