Will they say "Macbeth" at the Tony Awards?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 1:11pm

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.

[shh282]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 1:12pm

I hope they dont and come up with a new thing everytime they should be seeing it like you said..

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 2:32pm

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

[shh282]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 2:42pm

the only one I can think of are

the shakespearean play and the scottish play.

what else is there?

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:06pm

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."

[george95]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:08pm

I hope they say Macbeth as many times as possible to drive all the theater wackos crazy.

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:18pm

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.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:27pm

That is perhaps the best story ever.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:29pm

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

[ahmelie]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:30pm

WOW! How have I never heard that story before?

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:38pm

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

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:41pm

For Actr:



WIkipedia's Article on The Scottish Play

Updated On: 4/12/08 at 03:41 PM

[Juliash]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:45pm

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

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:45pm

Thinks wizzy! I wouldn't have thought to search for that. I figured it had something to do with the witches.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:46pm

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

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:47pm

This is why no production of MACBETH is nominated for awards ever.

No, seriously.

Look it up.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:47pm

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.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:48pm

They very well may.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:49pm

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

[lakezurich]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:50pm

some other theatrical superstitions I find odd:

Whistling: Related to a similar rule for sailing ships, it is considered bad luck for an actor to whistle on or off stage. As original stage crews were hired off of ships in port (Theatrical rigging has its origins in sailing rigging), sailors, and by extension theatrical riggers, used coded whistles to communicate scene changes. Actors who whistled could confuse them into changing the set or scenery, though in today's theatres, the stage crew normally uses an intercom or cuelight system.

Peacock Feathers: Peacock Feathers should never be brought on stage, either as a costume element, prop, or part of a setpiece. Many veteran actors and directors tell stories of sets collapsing and other such events during performances with peacock feathers.

Mascara: It is traditional for actors to draw a mascara tree, preferrably on the belly button, before performances.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:52pm

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**

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

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 3:54pm

Speaking of mandy, how about him doing J/H

He could start off as Hyde & transform himself into Jekyll. That would be interesting.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 4:10pm

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.

[shh282]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 4:14pm

the whistling one is funny.

Someone said Macbeth at my old high school's production of me and my girl - and all the girls got sick then menstrual the week prior to opening, opening night the power went out in the middle of act II, forcing the audience into a thunder storm. a bunch of other stuff happened but I don't remember much of it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 4:28pm

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