Tony awards what were they thinking?

[bigguyinpasadena]

The opening number by Harry Connick Jr.(who looked like he was tweeking-or very nervous/uncomfortable)was something out of a cheap vegas review?Why did they not have him doing something from Pajama Game.

I think I will be able to go to bed early tonight.

[+ Lucky]

"I think I will be able to go to bed early tonight."

 

Is that because you are tired from your wild weekend in Palm Springs or because the Tonys are boring? I agree that they have gotten off to a horrid start. The first winner, Ian McDermid (sp) put me to sleep.

 

It is doubly boring since we already know who won. Why we can't watch it live on the west coast is beyond me.

[RockHard]

One of the worst turkey productions I've ever seen. And can we talk about some of them outfits?

 

Beth Leavel's dress was hideous (and she needed a valium). Kate Burton is too fat to wear satin. Marcia Gay Harden looked like a quarterback dyke. Oprah Winfrey and Kristine Ebersole belonged on top of wedding cakes. Sondra Gilman is looking like a cross between Michael Jackson, Jocelyn Wildenstein, and Amanda Lepore. And what the hell was S. Epath Merkerson thinking?

 

Good God these folk are tasteless, tacky, and ugly. Why do so many in the theatre look like they have no money and can't make friends with a fab stylist? And those with money? What can I say?

 

How about that crack/acid production of The Wedding Singer? What was with that faggy, coke-ridden choreography? No wonder so many gay machos hate theater queens. The stage was full of singing fairies tonight. :-)

[+ Lucky]

RE: Tony awards

 

Oh, butch Rockie! Was it all that hard for you to watch? Sure, it started badly, but it did redeem itself with some great musical numbers. And that line about the Republican puppet...priceless. Cindi Lauper looked great, I didn't notice the other women's outfits. Why did you?

[RockHard]

RE: Tony awards

 

I loved "Avenue Q" and I'll follow John Tartaglia anywhere. The Republican puppet was very funny.

 

Cindy Lauper's hair was divine. I wouldn't mind borrowing it for Halloween. But music by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill makes me want to stab myself.

 

"I didn't notice the other women's outfits. Why did you?"

 

Noticing things is, what shall I say, another name for a job description?

[+ deej]

The opening was lame, and the performance was worse. It sounded like he just couldn't hear the backup music. For some of those key changes he was guessing wildly (and not particularly well). He's normally much more controlled than that.

 

The montage from Pajama Game later wasn't much better.

 

I'd chalk it up to a bad sound system, but the other musical numbers seemed not to have any problems. And, to be honest, more than a few presenters seemed pretty blasted.

 

Loved the republican puppet! And when they run the names of those we've lost in the last year, I always see some that surprise me (or remind me). This year was no exception. Worth seeing just for the tribute.

 

All things considered, I should have gone to bed.

[Guest zipperzone]

For me the highlight was seeing Patricia Neal. Born in 1926, that would make her 80. Not bad (and she has had at least one stroke)

 

I think I'll watch Breakfast at Tiffanys tomorrow just to see her.

 

Did anyone catch Dougie Hauser's suit? Didn't they know his size?

[bigguyinpasadena]

I'd like to know his size!

[FinFangFoom]

I couldn't agree more. Harry was a trainwreck at the beginning. He sounded drunk and out of breath.

 

Musically yours,

 

FFF

[RockHard]

"I'd chalk it up to a bad sound system"

 

I was annoyed by the awful sound design. At first, I thought something had gone wrong with my home entertainment system. Everyone sounded like they were singing and talking in a tin can and the pre-recorded montages were worse. Considering sound design is such an important part of any live piece, maybe it's time the Tony's recognize the craft. Maybe then they could pull from a more talented pool.

 

I'm sure the show isn't easy to produce and, considering the audience draw, it isn't easy to finance. I wish there was a simple solution so all theater lovers across the country could get a terrific feel for what Broadway has to offer each season. This latest rendition made me long for the days of Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett.

[jackhammer91406]

I agree the production was flawed this year. I think there must have been a problem with Harry's mike because the other performers didn't have the same problems. Harry's did seem to be out of his element (or perhaps had too much chemical stimuli).

 

I enjoyed most of the musical numbers. Don't know about the shows they were from, but the numbers from Wedding Singer, Jersey Boy's and Drowsy Chaperon were OK. The number from Color Purple (Hell No) was great.

 

What is notable to me is that this show ALWAYS wraps up on time unlike all of the other award shows which seem to drone on and on past the three hour limit.

[+ deej]

>I was annoyed by the awful sound design.

 

You would think that sound is one thing Radio City Music Hall would get right. :+

[RockHard]

RE: Bad sound design.

 

Well, the sound is determined by the engineer leading the team who runs the sound board. The actual sound you here has little to do with the venue, per se. I've heard nightclub acts in back-room bars sound like a CD recording in an audiophile's home. A great engineer can do wonderful things. No two concerts at any hall sound the same unless you have the same engineer and equipment for both shows.

 

This is not to say that Radio City Music Hall doesn't provide top-shelf equipment because it does. The first year Hugh Jackman hosted offered superb sound, if memory serves me right. I tried to see the Tony's sound credits but my son didn't catch them on Tivo. The premier of Entourage took center-stage in my house.

 

No matter what, the sound mix was definitely off. But the put-together-at-the-last-minute production value was just as off. I love the theater and it pains me to see such dribble.

[+ Lucky]

RE: Tony awards

 

I didn't notice that two of the women wore the same dress!!!How could such a horrible mistake be made???

http://www.oanmedia.com/photos/2006-0611a_alfre.jpg

[+ deej]

For what it's worth, one of the NYPost gossip columnists reports that Connick has been performing recently with extreme back pain, for which he is heavily medicated.

[Guest rohale]

I'll make this brief and short. It was very nice to see British Veteran Stage Actor, Mr Mr Griffith win for a change. He's currently starring alongside Laurence Firshburne and the ever so likeable Matt Lanter ( a really great looking young guy and more importantly an improving strong actor ) at the Mark Taper Forum in the production play " Without Walls ". It's well worth watching.

 

Ro

 

 

Tom Baker - " They dont applaud road-sweepers, do they? People applaud actors, so why dont they applaud road-sweepers?

[jackhammer91406]

Can you hear me now?

 

deej,

thanks for the update. explains much about his performance. I am sure, at full strength his performance in Pajama Game is worth seeing. I have always enjoyed that show and the film was enjoyable as well. So many great songs from that show. Harry is pretty hot as crooners go. Now if we could only get him to do something like Damn Yankees where he would have to be in the locker room undressed. I wouldn't care if I could hear him as long as I could see him.

[edjames]

>I'll make this brief and short. It was very nice to see

>British Veteran Stage Actor, Mr Mr Griffith win for a change.

>He's currently starring alongside Laurence Firshburne and the

>ever so likeable Matt Lanter ( a really great looking young

>guy and more importantly an improving strong actor ) at the

>Mark Taper Forum in the production play " Without Walls ".

>It's well worth watching.

>

>Ro

 

 

Mr. Griffith must have an incredible commute every day between NYC and LA! Seriously, he is not appearing in LA in "Without Walls." He's still here in NYC, on Broadway. BTW, "History Boys" has just been extended one month, so for thoses of you who haven't seen it, this is an opportunity to get tickets.

[+ Lucky]

RE: Manhunt Matt

 

Without Walls also stars Matt Lanter, the cute guy from the short-lived TV show Commander-in-Chief who was also a contestant on Bravo's Manhunt.

http://www.rcktman.com/lanter.jpg

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Glad that LaChanze got a trophy. She's incredibly talented and i've been hooked on her since Once on this Island. While i'm not a big fan of Color Purple, the ticket is worth getting just to see LaChanze's amazing performance.

 

Jersey Boys took the show, but i would have rather seen Drowsy Chaperone win. Wittier show, more entertainment value (IMO) and a BRAND SPANKING NEW book/lyrics. I'm sick of sing-alongs. Broadway is turning into an overpriced karaoke bar.

 

Sweeney Todd was robbed. Pajama Game without Fosse is like peanut butter without jelly. Fuggetaboudit.

 

Cynthia Nixon is fantastic. She deserved it. Fie on those who say that Julia Roberts was anything but horrible in Three Days. She had the stage presence of dryer lint.

 

 

BN

[RockHard]

RE: Ben's talent with words.

 

"She had the stage presence of dryer lint. "

 

Now, that's a line worth stealing. LOVED IT!

[Guest rohale]

>Mr. Griffith must have an incredible commute every day between

>NYC and LA! Seriously, he is not appearing in LA in "Without

>Walls." He's still here in NYC, on Broadway. BTW, "History

>Boys" has just been extended one month, so for thoses of you

>who haven't seen it, this is an opportunity to get tickets.

 

 

You're absolutely right, Richard Griffiths is still in New York currently appearing in " History Boys". I got it completely wrong and for that I'm sorry, I should in future check my facts before jump the gun. I believe " Without Walls " ends it's run today in Los Angeles. Although there are rumours that if the play is revived, Mr Griffith has expressed interest in taking over from Lawrence Fishburne. However the future remains uncertain, in the meantime Brodayway fans can enjoy his performance for a few more months. From what I've what I've " History Boys " is scheduled to play in NYC well into October of this year.

 

Now I've been fortunate enough to see both the American and the Brit version of " History Boys " and for me there is absolutely no comparion what so ever. The British version was by far the stronger of the two. If one were to take British veteran actor, Richard Griffiths out of the equation, I personally think the Broadway version would be knocked down more than a couple of pegs, in other words it would just be absolute crap. He alone is worth the price of admission for this particular play. He carries the weight of the entire production play on his back, figuratively speaking. Whereas the Brit version, the performers seemed on equal footing and that goes to show what a genius Alan Bennett really is.

 

To those who might be interested, there is a film version of " History Boys " that was completed sometime last year and I believe it it has a release date of November in Europe. I dont think thus far there has been any official word of a release date in North America. As for Tony Award Winner, Richard Griffith, I'd love to see him act alongside British Veteran Pop Sensation, Toya Wilcox. I know he's looking to work with the lovely Kate O'Mara on the west end sometime late next year, it's just a question of finding the right project.

 

In a previous there was a mention of another Tony Award winner, Sir Ian McDiarmid. Now I thought he was absolutely brilliant for his portrayal in " Faith Healer ". I've seen this play twice and have been extremely impressed. There is a ton of crap out there being played for theatre goers, but " Faith Healers " is one of the best plays for 2006. Having Ralph Fiennes, Cherry Jones and offcourse the brilliant, Mr Ian McDiarmid, the production play has three great story tellers who know to hold a stage unconditionally even when in the case of Ms Jones, the performer doesn't entirely match the part.

 

If the producers of the Tony Awards decide opt for a really good host for next years telecast. I hope the producers of the show avoid the trappings of Hugh Jackman and go for someone with a lot more gravitas. There is only one person I can think of who has the ability to raise an eye brow or two. None other than Sir Peter O' Toole. He's an absolute legend within the world of theatre, Peter O'Toole is a truly brilliant story teller as he draws from his troubled past to make a valid point sometimes. He commands nothing but respect and deservedly so. He's made his money, he's had his glory, he has nothing to prove any more within the world of show business. So why not have him be the host of next years telecast and for one simple reason, he's a guy who is brutally honest in his opinions and sometimes this is what seems to be lacking in award shows these days. He's not a Bob Hope or a Johhny Carson, O'toole is quite candid and most of the time wants the audience to impress him. Sometimes a show like the Tony Awards need to do step out of the box and do something radical or otherwise they will continue to find an ever so diminishing for their yearly telecast.

 

As for Broadway itself, it's becoming increasingly to find money making productions worth seeing. That awful " Lion King " has done very well fiancially when Elton John is not allowed to ruin the damn thing as he did with the " Road To El Dorado ". Now the latest from Disney is " Tarzan ", it seems to be doing fairly well and as always Disney has another solid gold hit on their hands. Partiall credit should go to British Pop Legend, Mr Phil Collins and Mark Mancina for trying to keep the focus on the music and a great cast who surely can sing and interpret the lyrics where even Phil Collins himself is impressed.

 

Speaking about the great drummer, his old band mate from Genesis, the legendary Peter Gabriel is toying with the idea to make a film version as well as a production play of the 1974 classic album from the former Art Rock Outfit entitled " The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway ". He's been talking about this off and on for the last twenty years. Now more than ever before, his project might have the chance to see the light of day. I would personally love to see Peter maybe try " OVO " peppered in with his own music from his successful solo career and open up his creativity for a theatre audience. In the process see if there is an audience for his kind of imagination using technology infused with progressive world music.

 

Ever since the success of Mama Mia, a few rock bands have tried to duplicate the success to what Abba was able to achieve and most have failed miserably. The most notable being the music of Queen, unfortunatley for a guy like Brian May who failed to find an audience in Vegas. However there maybe rumblings again from the world of rock music in the form of Pink Floyd, now that guitarist David Gilmour and bassist Roger Waters have somewhat burried the hatchett. I think Roger will finally be able to take the music of Pink Floyd and find an audience whether it be Vegas, Los Angeles or NYC and this time will have David's backing as he is now more receptive to the idea at any point within the last ten years.

 

Roger Waters is truly one of the most gifted and creative minds to have come out from the world of rock music. People often associate David Gilmour as being the voice and guitarist the legendary band. What most people dont realise is the Roger Waters was the ideasman behind such classic Floyd albums as " Dark Side Of The Moon, " Animals", " Echoes " and offcourse the " The Wall ". He wrote most of the lyrics and music for what turned out be some the best ever conceived albums by any rock band in history. Mr Waters is a perfectionist by nature and there is absolutely no way that he would let somebody else try to interpret the music of Pink Floyd and ruin the legacy. The music of Floyd is Roger's baby and he intends to be involved in every step of the way and see this prodution become successful for artistical reasons. I would truly love to see the end product.

 

Ro

 

 

Alan Bennett - " My Claim To Literary Fame Is I Used To Deliver To

Meat To A Woman Who Became T.S Elliot's Mother In

Law "

[bigguyinpasadena]

Just returned from drooling over Matt Latners tighty whities in Without Walls.

Very enjoyable theatre-Lawrence Fishburne was great.

I might used an all male cast-with the scorned girlfriend another boy.

But the version I saw tonight was very good.