The 76th Annual Tony Awards: A Few Thoughts

The 76th Annual Tony Awards:
A Few Thoughts

   

PART ONE: PLUTO TV
Hosted by Julianne Hough & Skylar Astin

Fast and to the point. Nothing more to say. 

PART TWO: CBS/PARAMOUNT+
Hosted by Ariana DeBose

• Why can't these people look at the camera?
• Love seeing the show casts applauding and cheering each other on!
• How interesting not to show the musical acting nominees singing...
• Jordan Roth making every event he attends all about him... tired. 
• J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell making a statement of representation...wired.
• I wish there had been more Ariana DeBose.

THE MUSICAL NUMBERS

Opening Number 
Fun, fabulous and sexy! The filming and locale were perfection! Bravo to all involved.

New York, New York

"Cheering For Me Now"/"New York, New York" - A natural first number, and it looked and it sounded great. Perfectly encapsulated what you get at the St. James.

Camelot
"Camelot"/"The Lusty Month of May"/"If Ever I Could Leave You"/"Camelot" - It showed what were the best things about it - the songs and the principals (The egregiously overlooked Andrew Burnap rocks). It showed even more, to me, just how bland and boring it is. 

& Juliet
Montage/"Roar" - The dancing was fabulous! Lorna Courtney seemed a tad off to start with, but rallied. Too bad they couldn't show a taping from the actual show.

Some Like It Hot
Montage/"Some Like It Hot" - The best number in a terrific show. It reminded me of the thrill and zing of Casey Nicholaw's choreography.

Into the Woods
"It Takes Two" - Sublime. How wonderful see Brian D'Arcy James, Sara Bareilles and Milky White (Kennedy Kanagawa) again!

Lifetime Achievement Number - Joel Grey and John Kander
"Hot Honey Rag" - Julianne Hough and Ariana DeBose great dancers both, but not the Fosse (or the movie for that matter). Anyone who missed the first part probably thinks they really weren't honored.

Parade
"This Is Not Over Yet" - Bravo, Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond! My goosebumps had goosebumps.

Sweeney Todd

"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" - Thrilling. And proves that the staging with all that movement really works.

A Beautiful Noise

"Sweet Caroline" - Here's to another month of singing "Bah Bah Bah" non-stop. Thank you, Will Swensen.

In Memoriam - Joaquina Kalukango

"Wishing You Were Some How Here Again" - A beautiful rendition by a powerful singer. Unintentionally funny that the segment started with the death of The Phantom of the Opera. 

Kimberly Akimbo
"Anagram" - It never disappoints. Clark and Cooley are the sweetest duo on Broadway!

Shucked
"Corn"/"Somebody Will"/"Independently Owned" - It showcased the fun silliness of it all and smartly focused on the show's two greatest assets: catchy tunes and a talented company far deeper than the rightly revered Alex Newell.

Funny Girl
"Don't Rain On My Parade" - Great idea to end the show with a familiar Broadway classic. Love her or hate her, Lea Michelle sings the fuck out of that number!

THE AWARDS

      

Who Wore It Best -

It's Shubert Alley for the win! Broadway neighbors Kimberly Akimbo and Some Like It Hot brought the glamour to the red carpet - with Justin Cooley, Bonnie Milligan and J. Harrison Ghee dressed to the nines! And let's not forget the corn-tastic Alex Newell! Stylish and talented, all.

Biggest Disappointment -

Costume Design of a Play: Leopoldstadt over Life of Pi

Happiest Surprise -

Natasha Katz - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Acceptance Speech -

Jason Zembuch Young - Excellence in Theater Education 

HOW DID WE DO?

Our Predictions vs The Outcome

We were both wrong about three: Orchestrations, Sound Design and Lighting, but Mike wins because I was wrong about Best Book. In every case where we were wrong, we are thrilled with the actual winners.