Sunday, June 12, 2016

Musings on the 2016 Tony Awards

Tony, Tony, Tony...coming up.  Will Hamilton tie or break the 12 Tony wins The Producer won?  I don't think so.  Will Hamilton overshadow the telecast?  I hope not.  There are many very good productions--new musicals and revivals--from this past season that should have excellent production numbers during the show.  The suspense may be missing this year, but it should still be good entertainment.  Join me as I blog throughout the night.

Good opening speech by James Corden to put life's events into perspective.

Funny opening spoofing Hamilton.

The expanded opening was a bit hokey.  You have to admit Corden is a very talented performer.

Very deserving award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (The Humans) for Jayne Houdyshell.  Her acting in the show, as well as her fellow performers, was so effortless and seamless.  This is a true ensemble performance.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is in the house introducing the "Your in the Band" number from the loads of fun School of Rock.  The star Alex Brightman is a whirling dervish.

A different idea with the performance outside.  Could have chosen a better song then "Tomorrow," but Andrew Lloyd Webber did play a mean tambourine.

Renee--did you really think you weren't going to win for Hamilton?

Shuffle Along--won't be seeing that until next month.  The only new musical I haven't seen yet.  It will be interesting to see if Savion Glover wins for Best Choreography over Hamilton.  Review will be forthcoming...eventually.

If there is a sure thing in the world Davee Diggs from Hamilton wins. Oh, I was right.  He was mesmerizing.  Too bad the other Hamilton actors couldn't all win together.  Nice touching story.  I wish Patina Miller would come back to Broadway, but I do love the TV show "Madame Secretary."

Best score.  Hmmm.  Any guesses? So well-deserving for Lin-Manuel Miranda.

She Loves me--such a great show with a classic score and superb cast.  Definitely a show to see.  Liked the production number in that it highlighted some of the better songs and performers.

What do you think of the little interludes outside the Beacon Theater?  It's quaint, diverting, and gets to involve the public, but does it work?

Thomas Kail is VERY deserving for Hamilton.  He takes all the various components and shapes it into the musical we see on stage.  There would be no Hamilton without Thomas Kail.

So far I think the Fiddler number has been the best production number.  Energetic dancing, great music and an honestly happy Danny Burstein in the middle of it all.  Great job.

James Corden is doing such a fabulous turn as emcee.  He's funny, but is not obtrusive.

Excellent choice from Bright Star.  Showcases the star, Carmen Cusack, a very good song by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell and fills the stage with the rest of the cast.

Smart move to showcase Cynthia Erivo for The Color Purple number.  This is a performance that does not come around very often and is the reason to see this revival.

Enthusiastic production number from On Your Feet!  I have to admit I wasn't overwhelmed by the show, but if you're a Gloria Estefan fan you will enjoy the show.

Loved the Les Miserable portion of the carpool karaoke. 

What a heartfelt and dignified speech by Best Actor winner Frank Langella.

Glad the cast for Spring Awakening reunited to perform a medley from the show to show the country what is possible in theater.

An interesting selection from Hamilton.  I thought they would go with the show's opener, "Alexander Hamilton."  That would have showcased the musical in a nutshell and been a more accessible number.

I would have stressed the more upbeat numbers from Waitress as when they started off with "Opening Up."  Is having Jessie Mueller singing a soulful ballad going to bring the tourists in droves this summer?  I thought they could have done a better job in selling themselves.

Congratulations to Leslie Odom, Jr. for Best Actor in Hamilton.  He was the best among many, many deserving honorees for this category.

What do we have left?  Best Actress in a Musical.  Best Musical.  A performance by Barbara.  Am I missing something.  It's getting late folks.

Why do the British always give such great acceptance speeches?  Great outfit.  Great performance.  A most deserving Tony Award for Best Actress to Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple.

Wrapping up the Tony telecast it seemed rather mundane.  Maybe it was because of the Hamilton factor so there was not much suspense.  Some outstanding musical selections from the nominated musicals, but the show was almost pedestrian.  Oh, yes, congratulations to Hamilton for Best Musical.  My count is 11 Tonys, one short of the record held by The Producers.

Kudos to James Corden for doing an outstanding job as host.

Good Night.



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