cry baby......tony noms bought by producers clearly- Page 2

[BrianS]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 12:53pm

Talk about putting the "bitter" in bitter theater queen. This thread title is ridiculous.

Look, Bucchino did his job well, but that show was slow and for those people who couldn't get on board, was boring as hell. Nothing wrong with a difference of opinion, but CB DID get mixed (not negative) reviews and almost everyone I talked to who saw it late in previews said it was a good show. It does make me happy to see all the haters on this board get their panties in a bunch though.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 12:56pm

just a correction. the majority of reviews were either mixed-to-negative or negative. I'm not sure why everyone has this skewed perception of CRY BABY reviews?

just go back and look at the CB review thread, on this board.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 1:01pm

You have to remember that the nominators do more than just nominate shows that they like.

They also DO NOT nominate show that they DON'T LIKE or that have annoyed them.

"Young Frankenstein" and "The Little Mermaid" annoyed them.

I would say that it was a toss-up for the nominators between "Cry Baby" and "A Catered Affair". And "A Catered Affair" is a small show as are several of the other nominated shows. "Cry Baby" is a big splashy musical and the people who book shows for those large theatres across the country like to see that there are big shows that, hopefully, can fill up their twenty-four hundred seat theatres.

^^^best explanation EVER! Thank you!

J*
Updated On: 5/13/08 at 01:01 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 1:06pm

And that's what kills me.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 1:39pm

If only that sentence could be taken literally.

[dented146]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:06pm

jaystarr, I agree also that sondheimboys explanation has some merit. The notion that you buy the nomination is silly especially when Brooks and Disney don't get them.

I don't remember that the reviews for A Catered Affair, with the exception of the Post, were very good. With maybe three exceptions, the Cry Baby reviews were also pretty negative.

Cry Baby did made a tremendous effort to improve the show in previews. And from most accounts they did. I only saw it in San Diego and there it had almost all positive reviews.

I think that it's easy to forget that all these people have long careers in theatre and that friendships and respect for one another abounds. To me it shows a lot of class that the new innovative shows have been recognized.

There is no doubt in my mind that the twelve Drama Desk nods to A Catered Affair is a reflection of that respect. And perhaps this nod to Cry Baby is the same thing.

[Raspberry]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:16pm

I'm thrilled to see they got the nomination. Cry-Baby was easily the most enjoyable new musical of the season. I think I may actually watch the Tonys now instead of just recording it and watching the important acceptance speeches when I find the time.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:23pm

JoeKv99, was that comment directed toward me?

[BWayJunkie]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:40pm

i couldn't help but laugh at the thread subject because I know that a lot of people were pissed this morning to see that CB got so many Tony noms... Personally I enjoyed CB, but that's because I didn't expect it to change my life... But I used to work for one of the producers of CB and they wouldn't do that.. I mean I know that it wasn't a serious comment but I thought I'd just say it.. But nobody sets out making a play or musical that's bad. They want it to be good so that it'll make money. In La Jolla it seemed to get positive reviews but here in NYC, not so much and it's unfortunate because if people just went into it not expecting the world, they might enjoy themselves. I hate that I have to defend and explain it to so many people but o well.. just doing my civic duty I suppose.. But I am a little surprised at the amount of noms it got over some other things out there

[theatre2]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:48pm

i am so glad crybaby got four noms best muiscal yes now they will do a cast cd in you face

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:53pm

You took the words right-out-of-my-mouth, Sondheim, producers across the country want what will sell, not necessarily what is good. I have a feeling XANADU might take it, only because it's a small show, somewhat small cast and small scenery to move around....of course it would also need a smaller house than the ones across the country have...so who knows...I think XANADU and or IN THE HEIGHTS...I am hoping for ITH!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:56pm

I love how the assumption is that the allegedly underserved nominations for Cry Baby were somehow the producers' fault.

And as with every season, the dreariest and most serious show is automatically celebrated as the best and most artistic because...well...habit, I guess. And entertaining shows are considered less creative or artistic. Well, it least it gives everyone something to bitch about. Again. At least this place is consistent.

[BrianS]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:20pm

I love Xanadu, but regional houses are bigger, not smaller, than broadway. Can you imagine Xanadu at the Fox or OCPAC with 3,200 seats? Even the average house on the circuit is 1,600+. It's gonna get swallowed in those places.

[jerseyfan2]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:29pm

I saw A Catered Affair, Cry Baby and In The Heights last week. Enjoyed CB, was underwhelmed by ACA, and loved ITH.

Affair was really a play with music and it was too short. I came out wishing there was more to it.

I had low expectations for Cry Baby, but it was funny and the dancing was great. It would have been much better with dynamic leads. Not great theatre, but a fun evening. It wouldn't get a nomination in a stronger season.

But, In the Heights was WAAAAY better. Good music, dancing and performances. I had heard the book was weak, but the story was better than I expected. Deserving of a nomination in any season.

[vinnylin]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:36pm

"They also DO NOT nominate show that they DON'T LIKE or that have annoyed them."

That's a good point and certainly helps explain YF and TLM being omitted, but it also may explain why ACA did not get the fourth slot. It wouldn't surprise me (though I admit I'm totally speculating) if the nominators were split on ACA -- that is, perhaps some really liked it and wanted to nominate it, but other nominators not only didn't like it, they really HATED it. Even if nobody really liked CB all that much, it could be that it was just less objectionable than ACA for some nominators. In other words, maybe CB was just a compromise -- it was the least objectionable to the most nominators.

The reason I think this could be possible is just thinking about how the shows were treated by the reviewers -- ACA had that glowing Barnes review and a couple other nice reviews, but it also got panned badly by a bunch of others. I don't recall the reception being as divided for CB -- while I can't recall any rave reviews, and while I'd probably say most of the notices were mixed or negative, on the whole, they didn't seem as harsh in their criticism as the worst of the ACA reviews.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:57pm

I was thinking that TLM and YF may not have necessarily annoyed them, but I think they know that those 2 shows will probably do well on tour anyway. Just by name alone. Just my thoughts.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:06pm

Biggest joke of the year.

[oohshizz146]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:10pm

You disagree with the descision. So it MUST be bought.

[bertandrew2]

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

I wonder how much it would cost to buy a tony nom. How come YF didnt buy one? How come Disney didnt spring for one for TLM? Sad, sad, sad that y'all think that way.

Go Cry Baby!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:29pm

ooohshizz146, it's not that it MUST be bought, but come on. A Catered Affair got much better reviews.

Should we expect a Cast Recording now? Considering it was also nominated for Best Score.

[westcoastdrama]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:31pm

Quiet. What's that sound?

It's all of you cry-babies out there in broadwayworld.com message board land.

I am thrilled that Cry-Baby was nominated for FOUR - YES COUNT THEM - FOUR TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS! Can't wait to see the cast performing (let's hope) "A Little Upset" on the big show. Will blow everybody else away.

Maybe if you all didn't have your panties twisted into such a tight bunch, you might be able to sit back and enjoy a show that is hysterically funny, snarky smart, and just pure entertaining.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:32pm

I liked Cry Baby but A Catered Affair was robbed. CB did not deserve what it was nominated. When I first saw the noms the first words out of my mouth were "What the f#$%"



Well I am happy for IN The Heights and South Pacific!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:37pm

Could have been worse.

Little Mermaid could have taken the spot.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:41pm

True, true.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:48pm

It is GWB's fault

Not only did the producers buy the nomination they also bought the award too.

I see pigs flying .