June 11, 2007
Last Night's Other Tony
Although the mass media informs us that our nation was monolithically united around last night's final Sopranos episode, we believe a small pocket of dissenters were tuned into CBS, where the 61st Annual Tony Awards were broadcast over the span of three hours. We know from The Playgoer’s pithy live-blogging that there were big musical numbers by each of the nominated musicals, a (“thankfully”) drunk Eddie Izzard and an appearance by American Idol sensation Fantasia Barrino belting out a song from The Color Purple.
Upsets were few, but we were disappointed to see the Best Special Theatrical Event award go to the ventriloquist dummy show Jay Johnson: The Two and Only instead of whacky cult favorite Kiki & Herb. And no one seemed more shocked than David Hyde Pierce with his win (over Raul Esparza for Company) in the best leading actor in a musical category – but we saw him in Curtains and think he deserves it for his irresistible turn as a stage-struck detective investigating a backstage murder.
Everything else was pretty much by the book: Tom Stoppard’s sprawling three-play dramatization of 19th century Russian intellectuals took home the Best Play award; the youth, sex and rock n’ roll show Spring Awakening all but dominated the musical theater categories; and Christine Ebersole won for best leading actress in a musical for her portrayal of Big and Little Edie Beale in Grey Gardens. (Colin Meloy fans take note: in the post-show press room, Spring Awakening director Michael Mayer revealed that he’s “talking to rock band the Decemberists about a possible musical project”.)
The Tony website has the full list of winners and a press room blog; Variety has a backstage dish. But besides Kiki & Herb, do you think anyone else got robbed?
Photo by: Jim Spellman/WireImage
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Kiki and Herb will now joke in a future show that they lost their Tony to a man who plays with puppets.
I was thrilled Pierce won. He brings a kind of old-school glamour back to the stage that is sorely lacking in so many theatrical "stars." While, Esparza gives a technically more proficient performance, Pierce is much more charismatic and fun to watch.
Along those lines, I held out hope to the very end that Audra McDonald would trump the overrated Christine Ebersole -- no such luck.
Other than that, no big surprises. The awards moved along quickly but there were still a lot of lags. And I know it costs a lot of money to have a full cast perform but it was pathetic seeing many shows trot out one one-person performance after another. Curtains and Mary Poppins gave us everyone and that's what I'm talkign about, even though I didn't like either of those shows.
i heard two and only was awesome if sadly short lived. why is it a robbery if it was a better show? what, avenue q are the only puppets to get respect?
Two and Only was lovely, funny, and touching. I didn't know what to expect, but it was genuinely memorable. Perhaps too quiet and intimate for Broadway, but I'm glad it got a Tony, and only sorry that it closed so soon.
I was shocked that Pierce won...haven't seen Curtains or Company yet, though I am disappointed that Esparza didn't win. He's so consistently good.
I was also shocked that Bill T. Jones won for his choreography of Spring Awakening. Compared with the other shows, the choreography just didn't seem to be much of a factor in the show...but as I type, I realize that may be why it was recognized--because it was a huge factor in the show. So subtle that the show didn't seem choreographed at all.
Two and Only was great. So was Kiki & Herb. Both deserving of the win.
Jay Johnson is touring.
Tony awards help touring shows.
you do the math.
I think you made a good point, Dev.
That's exactly why. Plus, it was really innovative movement for Bway. The other choreography could almost be cut and pasted into any number of shows.
I didn't like the Spring choreo when I saw it off-Bway but it made more sense to me on-Bway. For some reason, the entire show played better on-Bway. Not quite sure why that is. Probably because I didn't feel like they were as in my face...
I love that Bill T. Jones thanks Michael MEYER. He really should learn his director's name.
Spring Awakening? What am I missing?
With lyrics like, "blah, blah, blah" and "the bitch of living?" Cheesey in my opinion but maybe this is that dreaded moment in my life where I think pop music is noise? How depressing.