WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

Its no secret that when it comes to In the Heights, I have been a huge supporter.  I thought that Tony Award winning creator/writer and original Usnavi, Lin-Manuel Miranda created a beautiful musical that was the perfect blend between classic and modern musical theatre.  The heart of In the Heights is classic:  it is a  show with recognizable and hummable tunes with a storyline that is simple: family and the journey of finding your way home.  There is a definable hero and heroine who are both trying to find their way yet it is also has very modern elements like infusing the beat and flow of hip-hop and rap into the show.  It reminds us that at the end of the day, none of us are all that different - we all come from families, we are all trying to make our way in the world while looking for our place in it.

Today, it was announced that after 1,185 performances, In the Heights will close on January 9, 2011*.  For a special two-week engagement beginning on Christmas Day, Miranda will once again reprise the role of Usnavi one last time.  If you are in New York, I highly recommend going.  There is magic in seeing a writer/composer performing their own work but to see this incredible show that Miranda lovingly created and nurtured since his days at Wesleyan University, is really something else.  I challenge anyone to tell me that 96,000 is not an electric, brilliant number:

As if In the Heights doesn't prove that Miranda is filled with talent, remember that  he not only created a Tony Award winning musical but he has also been known to educate young people through music on The Electric Company and Sesame Street, created the hilarious web series Legally Brown: The Search for the Next Piragua Guy (a spoof on the MTV Legally Blonde reality show) and also made a ten-year-old boy's dream come true with this.  

It will be a sad day when the Richard Rogers Theatre says farewell to In the Heights but...stay tuned for the film starring who else but...Lin-Manuel Miranda!

--
*For all performances from January 2, 2011 – January 9, 2011 (exluding January 9, 2011 evening show) get tickets for as low as:
 
$78.00 for Orchestra/Front Mezzanine    
-or-
$48.75 for Rear Mezzanine A - F

Use code ITHLIN

Call Ticketmaster at 877-250-2929 and mention code ITHLIN 

DO WHATCHA GOTTA DO

Since the 90s, I have been a very consistent patron at the Center Theatre Group's productions back when I referred to its collective theatres as The Music Center (before the Kirk Douglas Theatre) back when The Phantom of the Opera was in residence at the Ahmanson (and held the record for the longest running musical in Los Angeles' history.)  After Phantom closed and the theatre was refurbished, naturally I returned to see the musicals that had finally made their way to Los Angeles from the Great White Way from Showboat to The Light In the Piazza and Spring Awakening (in which I was lucky enough to get stage seating); I saw groundbreaking productions like Caroline, or Change and joint productions with Deaf West Theatre Company: Big River and Pippin; there have also been Broadway-bound shows like 13, The Drowsy Chaperone and Flower Drum Song as well. Shows like these have been feeding my theatre-hungry soul for years. Of course there are some unmentioned productions that I didn't love, yet I am still grateful that the theatre can be so accessible and that I have had the opportunity to see what I've seen, good, bad and ugly.

Its amazing that the quality shows that have most recently played at  Center Theatre Group's theatres because all have truly been such satisfying productions.  I have had the pleasure of seeing shows like  Parade, (see my gushing blog entry here), Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Glass Menagerie and most recently,  Leap of Faith.  I'm typically not as big a play-goer as I am a musical go-er, but the last two plays I have seen have definitely struck a chord with me and made me want to see more plays.

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was not the kind of play I typically run out to see for many reasons including that it is somewhat fantasy based and that it is about war...the Iraqi War.  I have never been so impressed and so amazed at a story about the aftermath of war that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is tragic and funny.  Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo opened my eyes and gave me a new perspective that I would have never had if I had missed this show.  Prior to seeing this, I had a hard time believing I would enjoy it, but did I ever!  For days, I was left thinking about the story and wishing I could see it again though not sure if I had the energy knowing I would be emotionally exhausted when it was over.  It kept me thinking about it long after I walked out of the theatre's doors.

I saw The Glass Menagerie next - a play that I had read in high school (I think) and college and though I studied it in depth, I don't know if I was ever that taken by its storyline.   This production  however, was different and I left the theatre practically in tears because I had finally seen a production of this show that I understood emotionally and I was open to and able to really understand its characters and the purpose of the storyline.  Judith Ivey as Amanda Wingfield was superb and when I finally saw who the characters of Laura and Tom were; I understood who they were - that they were bits and pieces of a lot of people I knew (including myself); I saw that some of the people I knew could  (and would) have fates similar to Laura's and it just broke my heart.  Every actor in stage was phenomenal and I left the theatre feeling changed by the production.  Somehow, in those three or so hours, something changed in me and I had a new perspective on my own life and career.

Perhaps it was the idea of hope and faith that drew me to the Ahmanson's most recent production (that I hope goes to Broadway), Leap of Faith; maybe it was the beautiful score by Alan Menken, but either way, I really, really enjoyed it.  I loved the energy of the cast when they sang gospel-y numbers like Step into the Light and Rise Up:







I thought the dancing evoked dance numbers from the Golden Age of Broadway and I found myself bopping to the beat of the music in my seat with a silly grin plastered on my face throughout most of the show.  Typically, I am not the biggest fan of movie turned musicals (however I did enjoy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) but Leap of Faith really delivered.  At one point as I was discussing the show, I even forgot that this was a movie to musical adaptation.  Since I was trying to be open-minded and keep a positive attitude, I walked into the show not really having any expectations.  Prior to seeing it, I didn't read any reviews, I didn't listen to or watch any clips online because I knew if I did see it, I wanted to go in with a completely unbiased attitude.  Even though I wasn't 100% sure I really wanted to see the show, there were finally two factors that finally made me purchase tickets:

1. I figured it was likely going to Broadway sometime soon and I didn't want to miss it.
2. The recent revival of Company with Raúl Esparza as Bobby gave me a new perspective on him as an actor (ok, I thought he was one of the best Bobby's I've seen/heard) and since then, I have been wanting to see him perform live.

Ok, there were three factors, the third was that I have been desperately wanting to go to the theatre to see a good musical...and I was hoping that this would fulfill my musical theatre fix.

Before I go on, I will say that Esparza is nothing short of amazing in this production as Jonas Nightingale and if it goes to Broadway, I am certain that at the very least, he will be nominated for a Tony Award.  He was that good. During the number (the one to the right) Last Chance Salvation, Esparza was so dynamic, I thought he might be getting a standing ovation before intermission.  The character of Jonas Nightingale walks a very thin line between brilliant and completely overdone and  Esparza was perfectly brilliant - a greasy and smarmy showman in the beginning and transformed into a more sensitive morally aware guy.  As an evangelical con-artist with a heart, Jonas Nightingale has to border the overly exaggerated, high energy, showy performer with some humanity (which Esparza does superbly).  As Marva McGowan, Brooke Shields was a perfect mix of strong and sensitive and could be considered to be a stabilizing force in the show.  Sometimes I thought Esparza overpowered her, but I think that he was supposed to.  When I think of the brilliance of this show, it is Esparza who clearly steals the show with a great supporting cast including Leslie Odom, Jr. as Ricky Sturdevant who also made a pretty substantial impression on me. 

Leap of Faith isn't the kind of show that will keep you thinking about the story long after you leave the theatre in an attempt to try to better understand it but it is the kind of show that will make you smile and remind you about life and hope and humanity.  It is a feel-good musical in the truest sense of the word and I really hope this show goes to Broadway.  With a just a smidge of tightening up, I think it will do quite well.  It was well received by audiences when I went even with the technical difficulties in which everyone kept spilling liquids  onstage, the cast had the audience eating it up (not literally).  At one point, Esparza stopped the show to get the spilled lemonade cleaned up since it would be dangerous to dance on a slick stage. Though the fourth wall was broken, the audience didn't care and loved that the actors were breaking on-stage, trying to hold it together. All in all, this show is fantastic with a first rate cast of actors and dancers who all really shine as a company.  BRAVO!

Leap of Faith closes Sunday, October 24. Such a fun show and this cast isn't to be missed!

SEND IN THE CLOWNS

I'm disappointed.

As a rule, I typically avoid reviews and other people's opinions about things I love. So, the more I think about the Tony Awards on Sunday, the more annoyed I feel. I was really looking forward to the Tony Awards because it celebrates theatre and I adore the theatre. Though I blogged during the show, I didn't have a good feeling in my stomach as the night went on and particularly the more I think about it. So...I went to the interwebs to find out what other people thought. At least I wasn't alone...I don't really know anyone who liked it either.

Last year, I was super excited about the shows and actors up for awards. Last year, I thought there was some competition and at least there were original musicals up for best musical or best book, right? This year, none of it was very good. As much as I talk about my interest in American Idiot, I know its not an original musical. I would rather a really good, thought out, well written original musical win for best new musical; one with substance. And yes, I realize what show won...but is it a next to normal or [title of show]? No. I'm not even sure what it is, but it does the very opposite that a musical typically does for me. It doesn't inspire or excite me. It bores me (sorry, it does). It makes me yawn and look for something...anything else that is better. Which leads me to...

What is happening to Broadway? I don't like to denigrate a show that I've never seen or really a season of shows that I haven't seen and don't interest me. Someone might tell me that I shouldn't criticize something until I've seen it (I certainly would). Maybe I don't understand. Maybe I'm just too critical or have unfair expectations. Last year I was more excited about the awards than I had been in the last few seasons. All because of next to normal? In part. This year, what were our choices? It was similar to the 1995 Tony Awards when there were only two shows up for best musical - Sunset Blvd. & Smokey Joe's Cafe (I believe) so they award for best new musical went to the only original musical up (Sunset Blvd.) and really, by default!

I recently read an article in the Village Voice about the state of NY theater and I really agree with it. There was a lot I saw wrong about this year's Tony Awards as a dedicated supporter of theater. I'm not a professional and don't pretend to be one either. I also understand the reasons why extremely random (but potential draws to the telecast) were asked to be presenters and I understand why certain performers/casts won (though I didn't agree) because its all political. I worked in an industry that was dictated by these politics and it was unfortunate, but it happened. I think that true fans of the theater are really disturbed because it feels like the state of the Broadway theater scene is changing. There has always been something so pure and so real about these people who create theater because they work hard based on the love of the art form. The successes of these folks is not to purely to become rich and famous and targets for the paparazzi, but because they believe in it. Yet when someone comes along and is nominated for a role that they did well enough in and are nominated against other professionals who work just as hard (if not harder) to succeed and gain the respect of critics and fans alike only to be crushed and taken down because they are not as well known or did not pay to campaign for an award as hard, how is that fair? How is it fair that some random "famous" person who happens to kinda like theater can present at an awards show based on achievement in the theater? Just for ratings? Why is the theater community giving away their awards show? For money? For an ulterior motive? Probably. I was almost a little offended at the big song and dance number from the Glee kids. I appreciate the show and I have long since been a fan and supporter of the folks that were cast in the show from Broadway. But to devote an entire number just to these two - for ratings I presume. Where was this publicity for these actors when they were just treading the boards back in the day? It just doesn't seem fair. There were just so many things wrong with the show this year. Its a shame too...because I was really looking forward to them, but I seem to cringe a whole lot more these days when I hear and read about the shows coming to Broadway. We need more shows that are original, creative and inventive by talented writers and composers.

THE 2010 TONY AWARDS!

Today is my Super Bowl, my Oscars, my MTV Movie Awards, my Golden Globes...my favorite awards show - so welcome to my annual Tony Awards blog post! I have to admit that I've been neglecting my blog (which seems to happen ever so often) but I would be remiss if I didn't write anything about my most favorite awards show. There are so many exciting things going on in today from Hunter Bell tweeting live during the awards show to the many amazing presenters & performers like the cast of American Idiot to Broadway's own Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison (some of you may know them from a little show called Glee...). Oh and there's Karen Olivo and Gregory Jbara hosting the Creative Arts Awards too...so much fun! Stay tuned for my updates!

The 2010 Tony Awards - THE WINNERS!!!
Presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing
(as usual, I am only listing winners for Musicals...sorry guys)

Creative Arts Awards (Pre-Telecast)

They're presenting the lifetime achievement Tony Awards to Sir Alan Ayckbourn and Marian Seldes during the pre-telecast?! Geez...I would think it would have been important enough to present during the LIVE telecast. No? Same with the Isabel Stevenson Award to David Hyde Pierce!

Best Orchestrations

• Daryl Waters & David Bryan, Memphis

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

• David Bryan (Music), Joe DiPietro, David Bryan (Lyrics), Memphis

Best Book of a Musical

• Joe DiPietro, Memphis

WOW, look at Memphis sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeping the show so far!

Best Costume Design of a Musical

• Marina Draghici, Fela!

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

• Kevin Adams, American Idiot (yay!)
  

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

• Christine Jones, American Idiot (yay!)
  

Best Sound Design for A Musical

• Robert Kaplowitz, Fela!

***

My Thoughts on the Primetime Telecast...
(yes, I know, but I've been blogging through each telecast for the last two years...its becoming a tradition!) :)


Ok, what does everyone think of the opening number? It seems so chaotic. I get what they're trying to do, but...I'm not really feeling it as an opening number. I love American Idiot and Green Day, but when did this become a rock concert? It didn't get me excited and hyped up for the Tonys, but you can't win 'em all, right? Wow, Matthew Morrison is getting a lot of audience airtime...not a big shocker, but its too bad he didn't get that much attention when he was a nominee a few years back for The Light in the Piazza!

WTF and not WTF. Not a total surprise to see Ricky Martin here, but still weird to me. Million Dollar Quartet is up.

I feel like it wasn't so long ago when La Cage aux Folles was revived. See...a LOT of Matthew Morrison air time. I expect to see more of this in the next three hours. So, I have to admit that I'm bummed everytime I hear "Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele of Glee" in relation to Broadway related activities (like this awards show). I know that Glee is the current project for both, but...I think the entire Broadway community knows where they've come from. I'm glad though that they at least are supporting the community they came from.

Sean Hayes, so funny in his Billy Elliot get-up. HA!

Best Direction of a Musical

• Christopher Ashley, Memphis
• Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Ragtime
• Terry Johnson, La Cage aux Folles - (WINNER! Wow, I was really off on that one!)
• Bill T. Jones, Fela!
  

* My Pick: Though I didn't see it this time around, I loved Ragtime the 1st time around. That is the only reason I'm going with Marcia Milgrom Dodge.
* My Prediction: I think it'll be Christopher Ashley for Memphis.

I love how versatile Brian d'Arcy James is - he can be Shrek in Shrek, Dan in next to normal and in a straight play like Time Stands Still. That's one of the reasons why we love him. So awesome!

Awww, Angela Lansbury! Congrats on becoming the American Theatre Wing's first ever honorary chairperson!

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a a Musical

• Barbara Cook, Sondheim on Sondheim
• Katie Finneran, Promises, Promises - (WINNER! Wow, again I was WAY off!!!)
• Angela Lansbury, A Little Night Music
• Karine Plantadit, Come Fly Away
• Lillias White, Fela!

* My Pick: Barbara Cook! Need I say more?
* My Prediction: Angela Lansbury

Katie Finneran...we love you (and your speech). Yes, focus on what you love - that is so true, so amazing and I so agree!!! I hope more people follow your beautiful heart-felt words!


Haha, Mark Sanchez - apparently, he's a NY Jet - on the Tony Awards? What?!

Memphis...I think I have to see it to appreciate it.

Everytime I see Jay-Z and Will Smith & Jada Pinkett-Smith in the audience I have to remind myself they are the producers of Fela!. Though...its really odd to see Jay-Z there!

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

• Kevin Chamberlin, The Addams Family
• Robin De Jesus, La Cage aux Folles
• Levi Kreis, Million Dollar Quartet - (WINNER, told you I had no idea!)
• Bobby Steggert, Ragtime
  

* My Pick: I am a fan of Robin De Jesus' work, so I'll go with him.
* My Prediction: I think this is a toss up because I have no idea!

I have been waiting to see/hear Catherine Zeta-Jones in A Little Night Music since she was cast in the role. She does Send in the Clowns well enough...I think...not really. I mean, I didn't get the whole shaking her head back and forth while she sang, "maybe next year" nor did I like the huge gaps like..."Isn't it...[and then you wait some more]...rich" she did that through the entire song. Really? Like...SS approved that? I wasn't a big fan of that interpretation.

Christiane Noll - LOVE!

Wow, look at all those people watching the Tonys in Times Square!

Viola Davis, what a lovely speech. Congratulations!!! Look at how gracious those other ladies in her category reacted (I'm talking to you Linda Lavin and Valerie Harper...you looked genuinely happy, now that's class)!

Fela! - those peeps have got some energy!

Wow, look at that choreography! Promises, Promises looks amazing!!! I know some people haven't loved the show, but if that number doesn't describe the beauty of Promises, Promises from the choreography to the music, I don't know what does. LOVE!

Best Choreography

• Rob Ashford, Promises, Promises
• Bill T. Jones, Fela! - (WINNER! Finally I called one correctly!)
• Lynne Page, La Cage aux Folles
• Twyla Tharp, Come Fly Away

* My Pick: Bill T. Jones, Fela!
* My Prediction: Bill T. Jones. Fela! has been getting a lot of attention. I think its a favorite.

In Memoriam.

So how many people who never watched the Tony Awards are watching it now because of Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele? I'll be interested to see if ratings were affected or if all of a sudden young viewers have to download "All I Need Now Is the Girl" from iTunes in hopes of somehow reliving their Tony moment with Matthew Morrison. If memory serves...the last time he "performed" at the Tony Awards, all Matthew Morrison did was walk around Kelli O'Hara and her hat in the opening scene from The Light in the Piazza. He's proving he can really sing and dance (you can hear him panting) and that's he's really quite good (but we all knew that, even before Glee...WAY before Glee)! In all seriousness, I really do hope these performances by Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele will help the ratings.

Ok, Lea Michele, I will say what I said when you were doing Eponine at the Hollywood Bowl...please, don't try so hard. You have an amazing voice, you are a fantastic performer, but you do something when you go overboard to be good...you aren't. Please...please don't do that again because you're really, really, really good as is...but you over enunciate, over scream instead of sing when you're trying to be good and we know it, we can tell and its just plain uncomfortable.

Best Revival of a Musical

• Finian's Rainbow
  
• La Cage aux Folles - (WINNER, again I'm off...WAY off)
• A Little Night Music
• Ragtime

* My Pick: A Little Night Music - for obvious reasons.
* My Prediction: A Little Night Music - for similar reasons.

American Idiot - look at the energy of that cast! Nice bleeeping, CBS. Ha. Hope people know about the strobe lights. I don't understand why I think this is so amazing since I'm usually so against shows that aren't considered a true "original musical." For some reason though, the way this show tells a story is different, unique and acceptable to me. I love the energy, the music, the staging, all of it. Too bad it isn't going to win (I say that without knowing the outcome...I just don't think Tony voters are going to choose it).

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Kate Baldwin, Finian's Rainbow
Montego Glover, Memphis
Christiane Noll, Ragtime
Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture
Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music - (WINNER, at least I sort of predicted this one).

* My Pick: Christiane Noll for her portrayal of "Mother" in Ragtime.
* My Prediction: Montego Glover or Catherine Zeta-Jones.

HA, I love how shocked she looks and that she jumped up when she won and still looked dumbfounded.

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

• Kelsey Grammer, La Cage aux Folles
• Sean Hayes, Promises, Promises, Promises
• Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles - (WINNER, again I'm off...WAY off)
• Chad Kimball, Memphis
• Sahr Nagujah, Fela!

* My Pick: I really like Promises, Promises as well as Sean Hayes.
* My Prediction: I don't think Sean will win...I'm going with either Chad Kimball, Memphis or Sahr Nagujah, Fela!

Ok, I'm SO off because I didn't think that any of the La Cage peeps were even considered to win. I'm really surprised but congrats to all of them! Wow!

Best Musical

• American Idiot
• Fela!
• Memphis - (WINNER, this was easy!)
• Million Dollar Quartet

* My Pick: I am a fan of American Idiot but I don't think its best musical material. I am afraid though that the future of the show will depend on how it does in tonight's awards show. If it doesn't win...I fear it might close. So...please win!!!
* My Prediction: Based on the number of awards it has won thus far...I'm going with Memphis.

Its too bad this year's awards were so...so-so. I Who the hell is this guy screaming his acceptance speech for Memphis? What an ANNOYING voice (sorry, I don't care who the heck you are, I can't listen to you). THANK YOU Sean Hayes for cutting him off! Its the best thing anyone could have done as host. Ok...I was told to make sure to catch the end of the awards show...but...for this? That wasn't so worth it, I'm sorry.

Ok, all in all...a very disappointing show this year. Sorry guys.

ITS GONNA BE GOOD (I hope...)

The 2009 Tony Awards - THE WINNERS!!! (updated live PST)

Creative Arts Awards (Pre-Telecast)

Best Orchestrations

• Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Michael Starobin & Tom Kitt, next to normal (my prediction & my pick)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

• Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical (my prediction)

Best Costume Design of a Musical

• Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical (oops, I forgot my prediction in this category)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

• Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical (my prediction)
  

Best Sound Design of a Musical

• Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  

Best Choreography of a Musical

• Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical (my prediction)

Best Book of a Musical

• Lee Hall, Billy Elliot, The Musical

* * *

Thoughts during the Tony Awards West Coast Telecast:
(yes, I'm going to be THAT person, happily, excitedly and frantically blogging during the show...because I can & apparently I care that much)

Holy Crap! Elton John; Bret Michaels meets Broadway (Rock of Ages); Karen Olivo & West Side Story; Aaron Tveit and Stockard Channing; Dolly Parton; LIZA and Hair (the TRIBE is freakin' AWESOME!!!!) and then Neil Patrick Harris hosting!!!!!!??? The Tony Awards opening number is like Christmas!!! Best opening number I've seen at the Tonys in a long time (and apparently the most expensive)!!! Wow, wow, wow!!!

Despite my own personal opinions about Shrek The Musical, Chris Sieber gave a pretty kick-ass performance.

Angela Lansbury - of course she was going to win (and I'm glad she did)!

What do people think of Neil Patrick Harris?

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

• Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (lyrics), next to normal (my prediction & my pick!!! SO HAPPY & SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!! Not happy that they cut off their acceptance speeches though.)

Beautiful dance number to the gang at West Side Story! Though...I kind of think the choreography and score are the best parts of this revival (even though Cavenaugh is hot and Scaglione has a beautiful voice). Sorry.

Best Direction of a Musical

• Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical (not my pick, but my prediction)

Its campy, its 80s music fun, they SO don't take themselves seriously and Rock of Ages I have to admit (after purchasing the cast recording) I kind of like. Um, nice crotch shot of Mitch Jarvis. Oy.

If Liza didn't win, I'd be shocked. Glad to see some things are as they should be!

So, Guys and Dolls has never been one of my favorite musicals. The performance of "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat" was good, not great. Still...not my favorite.

Working in the Theatre - yea to The Wing & everything they do!!!

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

• Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Featured Actress in a Musical

• Karen Olivo, West Side Story (my pick AND my prediction...and I LOVED her acceptance speech!!!)

Why was Alice off? Wasn't she? I don't care, she's just completely amazing as Diana. This -- I Am The One -- I think is my favorite number in next to normal (and one of the most stressful, I need a drink)! My God, Alice is so AMAZING it gives me chills through the freaking TV (Bobby Spencer & Aaron Tveit weren't too shabby either)! Alice Ripley, you are just phenomenal!

Haha, loved NPH's sushi joke aimed at one actor who pulled out of a certain Broadway show this season. He's a good host, good pick folks!

Aww, Natasha Richardson and all the others who passed during this season. I feel weird mentioning the "In Memoriam," but feel even weirder not mentioning it.

Ok, so this Billy Elliot number...the kid can dance (and the choreography is what I thought it'd be) but still not my favorite.

Hmmm, who is playing Elle Woods on tour? Interesting voice.

Awww, congrats to Jerry Herman's lifetime achievement award! So happy to see him!


HAIR!!! Love, love, love the revival! What energy and you an tell how much fun the entire Tribe is having! Love, love, love! How can you not have fun and not smile and love all of them? Sigh. Love!!!


Best Revival of A Musical

• HAIR (my prediction & my pick...after hearing the cast recording of HAIR and particularly so after hearing the cast recording of another show I initially though would win)!!! And for the record, I support equality too!!!
  

Best Leading Actress in a Musical

• Alice Ripley, next to normal (my prediction & my pick). Thank goodness! So well deserved!!! Ooh, did anyone see Sutton Foster? That looked a little bit like an annoyed face. Didn't it? A little? Yikes.

Best Leading Actor in a Musical

• David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot, The Musical (my prediction. Great acceptance speech by the trio!)

Wow, that's a lotta Frankie Vallis from Jersey Boys!

Best Musical

• Billy Elliot, The Musical (my prediction. Sad that it wasn't next to normal, but this was much expected. And wow, props to Elton John for acknowledging next to normal. Nice.)

Love NPH's 11 o'clock number. That was awesome!

GOODNIGHT!!!

IT WON'T BE LONG NOW

Tomorrow is the Tony Awards and the only awards ceremony I really care about, follow and anxiously anticipate every season.  Other than the times I actually see a show, Tony Awards day is my favorite day of theater every year.  This season is one of the most exciting, creative and diverse for the Broadway community and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Thank you, Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey for what I think is truly the best new original musical the Great White Way has seen in a LONG TIME.

LET THE SUN SHINE IN

I've never been a fan of Hair.  It was groundbreaking in its time, but I never really "felt" it all these years.  I sang the title song once in some performancey thing I did and I thought it was all a little too before my time.  I knew all of the songs that had become mainstream like "Aquarius," "Let the Sunshine In" and lesser known songs from the show (if any were considered "lesser known") like "Easy to Be Hard" and "Frank Mills" but the show as a whole never really did anything for me...until recently.

 

Hair has come back.  It is in its second revival and now playing 8-shows-a week at the Al Hirshfield on Broadway and the cast is killing it!  Wow.  Gavin Creel is a personal favorite of mine and I've been loosely following the show since its Central Park revival last year and even more closely since Creel took over the role of Claude from Jonathan Groff.  Cut to April 30, 2009 -- "the Tribe" from Hair appeared on the Letterman show recreating a 40-year-old performance from the original Broadway cast at the Ed Sullivan Theater.  To say they were just fantastic is an understatement.  I LOVED it and I've never loved Hair in any incarnation.

After seeing this performance, I turned the corner on my opinion of Hair.  Yesterday, the album dropped (in digital release) on iTunes and I have been ob-sessed with it.  For the first time, this show has a great energy and spunk to me...and I've never heard that from  any recording or performance before.  I've gotta say, there's nothing like Gavin Creel's voice - the man is amazing and his Tony nom is much deserved (as is Will Swenson's - LOVE him too)!  This is how much I like Hair: I'm actually rooting for it over my old favorite West Side Story (in the best revival of a musical category) in this year's awards.  If I can go there then it must be really special!

 

Spread the love.

THE RUMBLE

Part II of my thoughts on the 63rd Anual Tony Award Noms:

Last week, I began part I on my thoughts on the the 63rd Annual Tony Award nominations. This post is a continuation and focuses on the acting and creative arts nominees (all for musicals of course).

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

• David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Gavin Creel, Hair
  
• Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
• Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
  
• J. Robert Spencer, next to normal

* My pick: Wow, what a competitive category. I happen to think that Bobby Spencer totally floored me in next to normal and was so impressed with with portrayal of Dan Goodman. The depth of emotion as the husband of a grieving and emotional mentally ill wife was nothing less than stellar. Nothing would make me happier in this category than seeing Bobby Spencer win. Though I've never seen Gavin Creel in Hair, I know that he's a phenomenal actor and as a personal favorite actor of mine, I would be very happy and love if he won too!

* My prediction: I think the trio of Billy Elliots' are going to win. I admit they are kids who dance like noboody's business who also have to be darn good actors and for that, they should certainly win.

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

• Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
• Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
  
• Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
• Alice Ripley, next to normal
• Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

* My pick: Another very competitive category but its crystal clear (to me) who deserves this win. If anyone has ever heard or seen Alice Ripley in next to normal they will be floored. I have to quote [title of show] and say that Ripley is fierce, because she truly is. Any other actress I've heard in a workshop version of n2n -- while good -- doesn't convey the pure raw emotion that is so heartfelt Ripley does so well. The other ladies in this category are all incredible acresses and I'm a fan of all, but really, I don't think anyone deserves this award like Alice Ripley does.

* My prediction: I hope the voters will go with Alice Ripley and I think they will.

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

• David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
• Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
  
• Will Swenson, Hair

* My pick: Though I think it takes a special actor (Chris Sieber) to perform -- and by perform I mean dancing too -- 8 shows a week on his knees, I don't know if that necessarily warrants an award. I have a feeling about Will Swenson. I feel like this is going to be a good year for him. He's electryfing in Hair and I hope he takes home an award this year.

* My prediction: I think the two Billy Elliot nominees might cancel themselves out but I still have this feeling that Will Swenson will be taking this one home.

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Jennifer Damiano, next to normal

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story

Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey

Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical

* My pick: I was particularly sad to see that neither Susan Blackwell or Heidi Blickenstaff of [title of show] were not nominated in this category. I would have loved to have seen that. In this category though, I'm caught. I have mad love for n2n and believe so strongly in the entire cast that I would LOVE to see Jennifer Damiano win. To be able to play Natalie as she does with so many layers, so hurt, so determined and to be only 16 or 17 herself. All I can say is, "wow!" I also though think that Karen Olivo is such a stand-out actress. In clips I've seen from West Side Story, it is Olivo who really stands out.
* My prediction: I think people are expecting Karen Olivo to win. This is the probable outcome, but I think that it also wouldn't be a surprise to see Jennifer Damiano walk away with the award either.

Best Direction of a Musical

• Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Michael Greif, next to normal
  
• Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
• Diane Paulus, Hair

* My pick: Why was Arthur Laurents not nominated for West Side Story? I find it hard to believe he was shut out. Another tough category here for which I am rooting for next to normal. When I hear what the show sounded like before and what it sounds like now...its amazing. I've also read that the current incarnation of the show is due in large part to the directing of Michael Greif. next to normal is a tight show now with a definite sense of direction that was once lacking. I think he SO deserves this award and I would be so happy to see it awarded to him.
* My prediction: Everyone is talking about how great Billy Elliot, The Musical is. It might be. The pace & direction of the show might be spot on. In another time and place, I might even like the show.

Best Orchestrations

• Larry Blank, Irving Berlin's White Christmas
• Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, next to normal
• Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical

* My pick: I was so sure that JRB was going to be nominated for 13 (in this category as well as best score). Though I wasn't a huge fan when it was in LA, I definitely enjoyed the Broadway cast and found it much more cohesive. The show had a great youthful rock feel and thought the orchestrations were great. So the first time I heard the final version of next to normal, one of the first things I said was that I loved the orchestrations (and this was before I ever got really into (or obsessed with) the show.
* My predictions: I'm going with next to normal because I don't think the other shows orchestrations even compare in this category.

Having not actually seen any of these shows yet, I don't think I can share an opinion for the categories below. For the remaining categories, I'm only listing my predicitons based on buzz and hunch.

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

• Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
• Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Scott Pask, Pal Joey
• Mark Wendland, next to normal

* My prediction: Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

• Kevin Adams, Hair
• Kevin Adams, next to normal
  
• Howell Binkley, West Side Story
• Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

* My prediction: Howell Binkley, West Side Story

Best Sound Design of a Musical

• Acme Sound Partners, Hair
• Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
• Brian Ronan, next to normal

*My prediction: Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages

Best Choreography

• Karole Armitage, Hair
• Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
  
• Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Randy Skinner,Irving Berlin's White Christmas

* My prediction: Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical

2009 Special Awards

• Isabelle Stevenson Award: Phyllis Newman
• Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre: Jerry Herman
• Regional Theatre Tony Award: Signature Theatre, Arlington, Virginia
• Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre: Shirley Herz

Tony Nominations by Production:

Billy Elliot, The Musical—15
next to normal—11
Hair—8
Shrek The Musical—8
Rock of Ages—5
9 to 5: The Musical—4
Pal Joey—4
West Side Story—4
Guys and Dolls—2
Irving Berlin's White Christmas—2
[title of show]—1

MAKE UP YOUR MIND, PART 1

This morning, the 63rd Annual Tony Award nominations were announced and what a season the NY theatre community has had! There are some amazing people nominated for some great work this year, some surprise noms and of course there was disappointment due to those who were snubbed. Yet, I was thrilled to see the recognition next to normal received and though I was disappointed that [title of show] didn't receive more noms, I was glad they got at least one.

Per the last 3 or so posts, all I can talk about is next to normal because I love it and think it is the best new original musical this season and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will take home the top prize.

I'm including a complete list of nominees below...but for musicals only (naturally) and including my picks & predictions for the June 7th broadcast live from Radio City on CBS. Without further ado...

---

Nominations for the 2009 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

Best Musical

• Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• next to normal
  
• Rock of Ages
  
• Shrek The Musical

* My pick: next to normal

I LOVE next to normal and yet I've not even seen it yet! First and foremost, this is an original musical that is GOOD! How many quality, original musicals open on Broadway each season? The pickins are slim. The brilliance of next to normal is not just in the subject matter, but the way its presented and how much emotion I get just from listening to the OCR over and over and over and over again. Overall, its got a great book, great music, great actors, great lighting (from what video I have seen)...its a solid, solid show that has come a LONG way.

* My prediction: Billy Elliot, The Musical

There is so much buzz for this show because of the 3 Billys. From what I hear, its a hot ticket...but its not original. There's nothing SO compelling overall about this is there? There are certainly elements that make this show shine like the actors, the choreography...but is the music so first rate? Me-thinks not so much. But then again, I've not seen it, so what do I know? I can see it winning though.

Best Book of a Musical

• Lee Hall, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Brian Yorkey, next to normal
  
• David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical
  
• Hunter Bell, [title of show]

* My pick: next to normal well...maybe...maybe...[title of show]

I'm sorry, adapted material, thank you for playing, please leave. To write a musical about mental illness, dysfunction, death, love & raw emotions and then to portray it SO well that you can't help but to understand and empathize and not villainize any one character through it all, you have to have a damn good book. But...to write a musical about two guys writing a musical with such sweetness & humor. I can't help but to want to root for the underdog here, but will Tony voters?

* My prediction: see above.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

• Elton John (music) and Lee Hall (lyrics), Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (lyrics), next to normal
  
• Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical
  
• Jeanine Tesori (music) and David Lindsay-Abaire (lyrics), Shrek The Musical

* My pick: next to normal

Ok. I admit, I don't know the music & lyrics well enough of any of these shows except for the obvious (and obvious only if you've read this post from the beginning). I'm gonna go ahead and keep rooting for for my favorite: next to normal

* My predictions: again, I don't know...I mean, Jeanine Tesori is a pretty great composer, Dolly Parton too...and Elton John can write, but did he do enough for Billy Elliot, The Musical to make it award worthy?

Best Revival of a Musical

• Guys and Dolls
  
• Hair
  
• Pal Joey
  
• West Side Story

* My pick: West Side Story HAIR
I have never cared for Hair...really, ever. In the past, I've seen it, it was fine, but not mind-blowing amazing. In the past few weeks, I've paid more attention, watched more online clips, caught the cast making its talk show rounds and I've been blown away. I am really digging Hair and it surprises me. Nothing though is as good as West Side Story - I love it and I think that the updating of the show makes it even better, more realistic. How can you deny such a classic score, lyrics and the choreography? Wow.

Are you kidding me? I love nothing more (in the revival of a musical category) than HAIR! You want to know what I think? See my posts. That says it all, I love the revival of HAIR and desperately hope it wins!

* My prediction: West Side Story HAIR

It has to win. The fellow nominees for a revival are worthy of an award and equally great in their own way. Didn't West Side Story pave the way for the kind of theater we're getting now? There's relevant and timeless topics like diversity, love, good vs. evil, survival...and its just so compelling.

See above in red about HAIR and how much I desperately hope it wins!

Ok, I'm exhausted, I just completely procrastinated in getting work done for you know, my real job, so I'm gonna cut it of here and continue in the next day or so. Part II - Acting picks & predictions coming soon! In the meantime, enjoy a little YouTube action of the nominated shows below:

Tony Nominations by Production

Billy Elliot, The Musical—15

next to normal—11

Hair—8

Shrek The Musical—8

Rock of Ages—5

9 to 5: The Musical—4

Pal Joey—4

West Side Story—4

Guys and Dolls—2

Irving Berlin's White Christmas—2

[title of show]—1