Thursday, May 30, 2013

The 2013 Tony Awards: The Best Musical Revival Nominees on TV

2 DAYS LEFT TO PICK THE NOMINEES FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL JKTS AWARDS! 
CLICK THE GREEN BOX TO YOUR RIGHT, LOAD THE PAGE, 
AND SCROLL DOWN TO BEGIN! 
NOMINATIONS CLOSE AT NOON ON SATURDAY, JUNE 1!

So, how are the Best Musical Revival nominees trying to draw full houses?  HERE's a look at the television commercials for the first two of the four nominees: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella and Pippin.  Today, let's look at Annie and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

I offer a few thoughts below...

Annie

Commerial #1 - "Hard Knock Life"



Commerial #2 - "Tomorrow"



Commerial #3 - "I Don't Need Anything But You"




  • With but 1 Tony Award nomination, it makes sense that the awards aren't even mentioned in these ads.
  • At about 15 seconds each, again the producers have made a smart economic move - 3 ads for a little more than what one would cost.
  • Bang for the buck: high quality video in front of a green screen - no fees for the set and lights and associated costs; and the look is both "traditional" Annie and it looks so slick and modern!
  • Even if the TV viewer leaves the set for a potty break, he'll/she'll still hear the infectious "Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow," the ultimate Broadway earworm.
  • And for theatre fans who might be more interested in the show if someone was in it they want to see, there's Anthony Warlow and up-and-comer Lilla Crawford in "I Don't Need Anything But You."  No Jane Lynch, you ask? Well, that's a lot of cash to put out for a limited run.
  • Overall, I'd say that the producers have taken the show's depression-era themes to heart and have spent their money wisely.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood




  • Sadly, Drood is no longer with us.  But this commercial probably helped it extend its limited engagement.  And they sure crammed a lot into 30 seconds!
  • Want stars in your show? How about all of the abve-the-title celebs doing appearances in character?!
  • Need to know that the critics loved it? A full screen list of news logos while the voice over tells us the "raves are in!" should do the trick.
  • But to really hit home a common theme of those reviews and the show itself  the screen shows "fun" quotes!
  • And the show itself shows well - cross cuts of the lavish sets and costumes, the dancing and the stars in action (you can't beat a glimpse of Chita Rivera's gams)!
  • All of it makes me sad that the show has closed.  It was certainly a bright spot in an iffy season.


Then came the news that Drood wouldn't be on the Tonys, either.  In typical Drood fashion, Tony nominees Stephanie J. Block and Will Chase offer this funny video.  Isn't it nice and kinda sad to see that everything from Drood is still up at Studio 54?  Enjoy!



Jeff
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