Will they say "Macbeth" at the Tony Awards?

I'm bored, and this is just a thought.

I mean, the awards are held in a theater. Everyone there will be a theater professional. This is one of the most upheld superstitions in theater.

So, when they announce Patrick Stewart's nomination, will the presenter bring him/herself to say the title of the play?

I think it would be funny if they called it something different every single time they refer to it.

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That would be FABULOUS. I suppose we need to find out just HOW many 'replacements' they are going to need!!!

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Well, if they do it every time, then by the end of the show they can say "And Patrick Stewart in...you know."

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

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They will say "The Scottish Play" and it will be subtitled for TV As "MacBeth." This is how they handled it when Frank Langella's musical production of Macbeth was nominated in 1993. This was decided long ago, after MacNeil Laramore read the nomination for best actor in a play at the 1957 Tony luncheon. Among the nominees, was, of course, Art Carney for his stage debut as MacBeth. MacNeil had even joked about the curse earlier and had scoffed at the legend after Nanette Fabray had begged off the category fearing she'd have to say the cursed name.

MacNeil read it off in his well known scottish baritone, then jokingly added "Now how many of you thought I wouldn't say MACBETH!?" At that, his eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped over the lectern. It was later revealed he had a massive stroke that cost him his power of speech. He lived another thirty odd years but never appeared on stage again. And Art Carney was beat out by Phil Harris in a short lived revival or Harvey.

So the Tony committee decided then & there to NEVER risk it again.

According to a press release, all Tony presenters are to refer to it as "Mac to the B"

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What are the origins of "The Scottish Play" superstition? Is it because of the witchcraft?

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I hope they say it and then spit over their shoulders every time.

Wow...what a story...everything but the.... I am somewhat familiar with the Macbeth superstition. What are some other well-known (at least to knowledgeable theatre fans and insiders)theatre superstitions? I'm thinking that someone could still possibly utter "Macbeth" at the Tonys... as long as he or she is holding a four leaf clover and/or a rabbit's foot. Would that be sufficient to counteract the "Macbeth" curse? Inquiring minds want to know. from RC in Austin, Texas

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Joe, there is an old film/tv footage of that luncheon where McNeil collapses. I have seen it. Peggy Cass was sitting very near the front (she was supposed to announce the nominations for the Sarah Siddons Award that year. She screamed, in that very distinctive voice of hers, "Holy Hell, someone get a DOCTOR, the man has been hit by the curse!" I wish I could get my hands on a copy of it.

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Hmmmmm, is there any chance at all of getting Mandy Patinkin to announce it?

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Sueleen...

I am SO guilty of whistling in the theater. I always forget and get yelled at for it, although, so far I haven't been struck by the curse. **knocks on wood**

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Updated On: 4/12/08 at 03:52 PM

According to many, the curse can not be reversed.

For those who do believe in the reverse of the curse -- it consists of walking outside of the theatre, 3 spins around yourself, spitting over your left shoulder, screaming the worst curse word you know, and then asking permission to come back into the theatre (to anyone who is currently in the theatre).

A very close friend did not believe in the Curse. He made jokes about it and said "Macbeth" all the time. After this, he injured his feet in every single show he was a part of. Whether it be a sprained ankle or broken toe or some strained muscle.

He put up with it for a few years but it eventually forced him into retirement. True story, my dears.

I don't know, shh, sounds like the girls in your show were witches anyway.

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