Thursday, December 13, 2018

Best of 2018 JKTS Awards: Fun, Fun, Fun!


THE 2018 JKTS AWARDS
Good Clean Fun
(10 Awards)

After taking a couple of seasons off, we are super excited to re-start our annual tradition! Up first, our awards for the media and technical aspects of the Broadway theater experience. Occasionally, the shows we saw that weren't on Broadway are included, too. They were: Chess (Kennedy Center), Passion (Virginia's Signature Theatre), Moulin Rouge! (pre-Broadway engagement), and Sweeney Todd (off-Broadway). And the winner is...


Fake News Award: "The 2018-2019 season is weak."



I have to wholeheartedly disagree with this. First of all, there are several great new shows already playing. The Ferryman, The Waverly Gallery and To Kill a Mockingbird are critical and popular hits. The Prom is shaping up to be the same. And despite early closures, both Torch Song and Head Over Heels have very passionate fans and their share of critical huzzahs, too. Even the mostly critically disdained Pretty Woman and King Kong are drawing audiences and have plenty to offer. And the rest of the season is looking good, too. People were writing off this season less that two months in, and that's a shame. If recouping is the only mark of a strong season, how far back to we have to go to find one where more shows recouped than didn't?

It Shouldn't Have Been News Award: The Prom Kiss on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade





How sad that a joyous kiss celebrating young love had to result in - at the least - right-wing pearl clutching and invoking Jesus, and - at the absolute worst - death threats against The Prom cast members. Because threatening someone's life is exactly what Jesus would do, right?


Sorry I Missed It Award - Play: Torch Song



I waited and waited for them to extend the discount past December 21. When they finally did, I snatched up 2 front row center seats! The next day, they announced a closing date. One. Week. Before. My. Tickets. I'll catch Michael Urie some day... sigh.


Sorry I Missed It Award - Musical: SpongeBob SquarePants




To be honest, I'm not really a fan of the cartoon, and that's what held me back. But lots of people who I respect said they loved it. And several people who I love were in it (I'm talking about you, Wesley, Lilli, Gavin and Ethan). I am truly sorry I missed it.


Grin and Bear It Award: Head Over Heels




I guess I'm biased, but I just don't understand why audiences stayed away. It git its share of decent reviews, the cast was everywhere, and word of mouth was/is amazing. Well, kudos to all involved for always being positive and giving amazing performances despite small houses. You'll be gone but not forgotten.


Maverick of the Year Award: Peppermint, Head Over Heels



Well, duh. Who else could we have picked? Come back soon!


Best Recovery Award: Casey Nicholaw, The Prom



In the span of one year, he managed to put up the tedious, overblown Mean Girls and the finely tuned laugh riot that is The Prom. Casey's got his groove back. And four popular shows on Broadway at once is nothing to sneeze at!


3 for the Price of 1 Award: A, B and C, Three Tall Women



Not since Fun Home has three ages of the same character worked so gloriously (and yes, I know TTW actually came first). What a theater-goer gift it was to see Glenda Jackson, Laurie Metcalf and Alison Pill making magic together. An experience I'll never forget.


Best Place to See a Diva Award: The John Golden Theatre




This year alone you could see Glenda Jackson, Laurie Metcalf and Alison Pill in Three Tall Women, and Elaine May and Joan Allen in The Waverly Gallery. A who's who, really.


Broadway Craving Award: Applebee's



Surely, we weren't the only ones who made a beeline for Applebee's after seeing The Prom, were we?  I have to say, our meal that night at "Apples and Bees" was really good. The only thing missing was Beth Leavel and Michael Potts!

The 2018 JKTS AWARDS: Best in Tech Theater : HERE


#1960

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...