2010 Tony Award Musings

11:10 p.m.

Yes! I called it. The choice for Best Musical makes sense. MEMPHIS is the most straightforward of the four nominated shows and should tour well. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET was never really in the discussion and while AMERICAN IDIOT and FELA! have substantial merits neither one of them garnered enough acclaim to merit snagging the big prize.

Final thoughts—

-Sean Hayes did better than I originally would have thought as host.

-The telecast finished on time. Not too shabby.

-The major presenters towards the end did have their speeches truncated. Why don’t they limit those winners at the beginning of the show?

-Big night for Hollywood stars. Good or bad?

-Overall grade: B-



10:55 p.m.

My ears are pounding all the way in Connecticut after the AMERICAN IDIOT number. I can’t wait to see the audience reaction when this show tours. You do have to admit it was a great song to promote the musical to the young masses.

So how does one get the stars of THE ADDAMS FAMILY—Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane--on stage? Get them to present the Tony for Best Actor/Actress awards. Whoa! Shocker. Catherine Zeta-Jones winning Best Actress. I had my money on Montego Glover for MEMPHIS. Well, at least Douglas Hodge puts normality back to the awards by winning Best Actor.


10:35 p.m. Posting--

Great number by Matt Morrison! Really injected some zip into the broadcast. Can you say 2011 Tony Award host? Was Lea Michele auditioning for lead in the projected revival of FUNNY GIRL? Put a windscreen on the microphone.

You have to say one thing for Sean Hayes, he does seem he is having a lot of fun out there.

Question--how many Broadway producers can you fit on the stage of Radio City Music Hall?
You can tell time is running short so keep those acceptance speeches short or experience the fate of the LA CAGE acceptors


10:15 p.m. Posting--

Was that Sahr Ngaujah wailing on the sax at the end of the spirited number from FELA!?

Bill T. Jones, a deserving winner for Best Choreography for FELA! COME FLY AWAY, while great dance routines, I prefer dance within the context of a book musical. I thought it was interesting that PROMISES, PROMISES was nominated in this category since one of my big complaints about the musical was its lack of choreography. Interesting about the number they showcased--it takes place during the show’s overture.


10:00 p.m. Posting--

The opening snippets of musicals was a bit bland. I love the musical GREEN DAY, but their mini-concert, while highly entertaining, was just a bit out of place. Good pyrotechnics, though!

First award—Best Featured Actress in a Play goes to Scarlett Johansson. Didn’t she say she couldn’t think of anything to say? So why was her thank you SO LONG?

I think the way the Best Play nominees were presented—short, staccato commentary by the two lead actors/actresses along with a computer generated set of the show--was very well done. The two guys from NEXT FALL were hysterical. Give them their own network television show.

Was it just me or were you also getting more and more uncomfortable as Terry Johnson went through his acceptance speech for the Best Director Tony for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES? Between not looking at the camera and manhandling the award I thought he was going to collapse.

Mark Sanchez, quarterback of the New York Jets did an admirable job introducing the MEMPHIS production number. By far the best of the night—energetic, tuneful song that enveloped the stage. Too bad the other excerpts weren’t as lively.

I love Kristen Chenoweth. Great bit with Sean Hayes introducing Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is beautiful and delivered a haunting rendition of “Send in the Clowns.”

Best Revival of a Play introductions—ditto from the segments for Best Play.

Sean Hayes started off his hosting chores slightly off, but as the evening has gone on he’s had some great jokes and bits.