While watching the Tony Awards, in welcoming two of the cast members of “Glee,” they talked about the two actors’ Broadway careers. One I knew about, but the other I didn’t. So I did some fast checking. Then I went upstairs to Ariel’s room and said, “Where do you have that script book from ‘Hairspray’ that you got cast autographs on?” She pulled it out and I flipped through it, and then pointed to the signature of the actor who had portrayed Link Larkin, one Matt Morrison. I said, “Congratulations: You got Will Schuster’s autograph.” She shrieked.
And just now, during the Tonys, host Sean Hayes ran onto the stage in a full Spider-Man costume singing a very muffled version of “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” He then pulled off the mask and wondered how in God’s name Spider-Man’s gonna sing in that outfit. He may have a point.
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First, I’m happy your daughter’s so happy.
I just finished watching the Tonys. I’ve never been to New York, have always had to wait for the road shows to come where I am. (I had to drive eight hours from Wichita to Saint Louis to FINALLY see “Avenue Q.”) We seldom get anything approaching stars. Last one I remember was Petula Clark in the road company of “Sunset Boulevard. I’d been expecting something like:
As I walk down the stair
And see the camera there
I’m ready for my
Close-up!
(Sing that to “Downtown,” of course. Sorry.)
Anyway, though I’ve never been to a show on Broadway, I generally find The Tonys by far the most entertaining awards show involving acting. You often see performers you don’t normally see on television, as well as the numbers from the various shows.
I once wondered why Peter didn’t do a live blog while watching the Tonys. Then, I realized that it isn’t a show you want to interrupt with blogging.
And, for the last decade or so at least, it never runs more than five minutes over, if at all! How many award shows can you say THAT about?
If you’ve never seen it before, give it a try next year.
Actually I don’t blog the Tonys because, based on ratings, I honestly didn’t think there’d be much interest outside of NYC.
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PAD
Yeah, I have no idea why I never watched the Tonys before until now. Well, actually, I do know why: I had never seen any of the nominees. Now, of course, I realize that it doesn’t matter at all, and that all these years I’ve been missing one hëll of a show. A Radio City Music Hall-sized crowd of theater people rocking out to Green Day was probably the highlight of my week.
From what I’ve heard, he won’t sing when he’s in the suit, or at least not when he has the mask on. This is a pity, because there are loads of possibility for an insult song or two (I mean, this IS Spidey we’re talking about!), but I guess the logistics make it impossible.
Now I have Kenny from South Park in my head dressed up as Spiderman
“OMG, they just killed Spiderman!”
“You BÃSTÃRÐS”
Why don’t they dub in the singing, they had to do that in a few spots in Phantom where the Phantom appeared in multiple places on the stage. Just saying.
Dads: Real Life Superheroes.
I refused to watch after I found out the Addams Family didn’t get any set design nominations (it wasn’t the greatest writing ever, but the set was very well done for the stage they were working with).
Thought Hayes and co. did a good job, but none of the four musicals left me with the “I want to see that when it goes on tour” vibe that I usually get. One interesting thing was that the list of best actors in a play sounded like it could have been the best actor list at the Oscars.
Actually I don’t blog the Tonys because, based on ratings, I honestly didn’t think there’d be much interest outside of NYC.
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My wife and I may be an exception but we’ve watched the Tony’s for years and we live in rural Missouri. The Tonys is where we first saw the “Girl in the Yellow Dress” number from Contact so we had to go see the play when it came to St. Louis. And why don’t they revive that play? Apparently Evita is coming back.
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Five years ago for our 20th anniversary we went to New York for 4 days and saw three Broadway plays: Chicago, The Drowsy Chaperone and Spamalot. Okay, I liked Spamalot the best but they were all great and it was a wonderful vacation.
I don’t think I’ve watched the Tonys in years, but I don’t think I’ve watched ANY awards ceremony in years, so it’s a moot point.
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I am absolutely thrilled that “Memphis” took home a bunch of awards, though — we had a chance to see it in February and I was totally blown away.
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We’re taking Katey to “Mary Poppins” on Saturday, thanks to a gift from a generous uncle. Anything in particular we should be sure to look out for?
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TWL
I saw “Mary Poppins” over Memorial Day weekend and loved it. They made it a very different experience from the movie and added a lot of new material (although one of the two sacrificed songs was one of my favorites, “Stay Awake”).
IMO, the best effect to look out for is at the very end. Just keep watching Mary Poppins’s final fight at the end of the show–it’s pure magic–I don’t think it’s ever been done before. Hopefully, you’ll see where she finally lands (or is pulled up and away). We were under the Mezzanine, so we couldn’t tell…
Good to hear. Daughter and I will be seeing it next winter.
Thanks, Daniel. One point of clarification — I assume you mean “Mary Poppins’ final FLIGHT” above? If she’s got multiple fight scenes … well, that would be a very different experience!
No, Tim. I believe it is “final fight” – or FINAL FIGHT. There’s a video game influence in the new production of “Mary Poppins”. There’s even a late-night FINAL FANTASY production, but let’s not get into that.
Tee hee. Gotta love them spell-checker-proof typos! I also must correct myself in that there are at least 3 movie songs not in the stage production. More than 50% of the music is new. Lots to look forward to!
I saw “Mary Poppins” over Memorial Day weekend and loved it. They made it a very different experience from the movie and added a lot of new material (although one of the two sacrificed songs was one of my favorites, “Stay Awake”).
IMO, the best effect to look out for is at the very end. Just keep watching Mary Poppins’s final fight at the end of the show–it’s pure magic–I don’t think it’s ever been done before. Hopefully, you’ll see where she finally lands (or is pulled up and away). We were under the Mezzanine, so we couldn’t tell…
Darn back button and autofill reposted! Sorry…