I’m the only theater queen here? . . . Some half-point notes:
Hugh Jackman’s wife looks like a blow-up sex doll. And she is indeed a very lucky woman.
The songs showcased from Wicked and Caroline, or Change were terrible! The performers were terrific (doesn’t Idina Menzel look great in green?), but the Wicked song was like a Simpsons parody of all bad B’way show tunes, and the Caroline number was just so much self-indulgent caterwauling.
No standing obvation for Carol Channing? You have to love Carol, even when she’s rapping with L.L. Cool J., not a wise move.
Love the fact that there are Stars again on B’way: Kristen Chenoweth, Donna Murphy, Hugh Jackman, bring back the old Merman/Martin/Keel days.
It’s not the songs, it’s the staging and the cuts made for time, which screwed up both songs. “Lot’s Wife” is a powerful revelation of Caroline’s pain, and it works on the CD (haven’t seen the show yet)
And I adore Wicked! That is a sensational show, and the song “Defying Gravity” is amazing on stage.
OTOG, I loathe Wonderful Town, which has IMO the worst couplet ever written for Broadway
“Why-o, who-o, wh-o
Did i ever leave Ohio?”
Loved the finale from Assassins–forget Hugh Jackman, I must have Neil Patrick Harris oiled and brought to me now!
I was coming over to start a thread:). I might have to challenge you for that role of theatre queen;).
You really didn’t like either song? Defying Gravity is one of my favorites - Idina’s absolutely mind-blowing in it. I was a bit surprised that they chose that song, since it mainly showcases Idina, but I do love it. I’m disappointed that my dear Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero) wasn’t shown at all, but without a nomination, I guess there’s no reason to do so. And I thought it was a great choice for Tonya - showcased her brilliant talents. It reminded me of Bernadette doing the finale from Gypsy last year. I was VERY upset with the chopped up version of Tradition from Fiddler, however. It might have been nice to showcase a couple others from the cast who did such a gorgeous job (like Randy Graff). Everybody’s Got the Right was great - I saw that a few weeks ago (along with Wicked the next night), and LOVED it. I still don’t understand why it’s not freakin’ in the Best Musical category and in the Best Revival instead. It’s NEVER BEEN ON BROADWAY! Sheesh. (Pet peeve, obviously).
Have to agree about the stars - I feel like this is the best year Broadway’s had in years. Hated Marissa Jaret Winokur last year - if you ask me, if you’re on Broadway, you should at least be able to sing on-key, which Marissa didn’t achieve much of the time. Her successor, Kathy Brier, was much better.
Some of the awards have been a bit surprising (Best Book and Best Score), but most have been pretty expected - I’m pretty happy so far. I have a feeling the underdog is going to pull it out for Best Musical.
I’ve decided I’ll be happy with whoever wins the Best Actress category - I’ve never seen a group of women where one deserves it as much as the next person.
Have you seen Assassins yet? If not, run, don’t walk, to the theatre - it’s BRILLIANT.
And I see there’s another Wicked fan around;). I think my fiance is getting sick of the show since I play it constantly. It’s definitely outstanding on stage. Again, must plug Norbert, my hottie (and also amazing in The Last Five Years).
I don’t care for Wonderful Town, but Donna Murphy is fantastic (I’m running out of adjectives!).
This is so my night. I’ve already hung up quickly on one friend who dared to call during the show. Most of my friends know that you do NOT call me during the Tonys.
(And Avenue Q just finished - reminds me that I need to stop singing “The Internet is For Porn” at work…).
After Carol’s autobiographical revelation that her father was African-American (or was it 1/2? Either way…) I found her rapping with LL Cool J to be oddly appropos. But maybe that’s just me.
Meanwhile, can I just say Puppets! Puppets Puppets Puppets! Idina! Idina Idina Idina! Whoo! (Green smiley for Elphaba.)) Oh, and Hugh! Hugh Hugh Hugh! (Gold smiley for the shiney Peter.) Those three shows (Avenue Q, Wicked and Boy From Oz) have brought a much-needed rejuvenation to Broadway, and darn is it exciting to celebrate them, even if the mainstream entertainment world couldn’t be bothered to care.
Oh, and yeah, Deborah Lee-Furness does look like a blow-up doll. But a sexy one. I think she and Hugh are both lucky people. (To say nothing of Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs. Ooof, get me a fan, it’s getting warm in here.)
I saw Linda Muggleston (Donna Murphy’s understudy) in Wonderful Town and I’m glad I say, glad! Murphy looked like RUTH GORDON (rest her soul) tonight - tiny, emaciated, hunched and OLD! What is with these actresses who feel they have to Pilates themselves an inch away from death? Yeesh. Muggleston was wonderful, and on top of that, looked like a real live girl.
That said, I love me some Hugh Jackman. When I saw Boy From Oz, I thought I was having a good night when he appeared in that tight, black t-shirt. But then he dropped trou! My goodness, I 'bout had me a case of the vapours!
The man could crush cantaloupe with his thighs, I swear.
First, Hugh Jackman is mine. He has been for several years, and since I have seen him live on Broadway, his position in my pantheon (as well as my heart) is secure. The rest of you can lust, I mean look, but he’s mine. Really.
Next, living as I do, on the other side of the continent from New York, my ability to see Broadway plays is limited, but I have always been a fan of the Tony’s. I must agree that it is good to see the re-emergence of the Broadway Stars.
I was recently in New York and was feeling okay about seeing three plays (Boy From Oz, Embedded. Gypsy. Now I just can’t thinking I should have shoehorned in at least one more play, maybe two. I could have gotten tickets to Avenue Q, I debated seeing I Am My Own Wife, I should have made up my mine early enough to have gotten tickets to Wicked. I want to be a theater queen, really I do, I’m just so far away. <waaaaaaa . . . >
Back to the Tony’s–I thought the show was well done, although I have to say that, as someone who hasn’t seen Caroline or Change, that song would not made me want to see it if I didn’t already, and the song from Wicked also left me a little cold. Jackman’s Boy Next Door was done wonderfully, but then, that play’s the best thing I’ve ever seen on stage, so my impression may be biased.
Should anyone want a companion willing to see anything performed live on stage, I’m available–I’ll even pay for my own ticket, you just have to pay for my flight to New York.
Had Billy Joel been drinking?
I hope Sean Combs can act better than he can read a teleprompter.
Phylica Rashad, one Tony does not make you a Broadway Diva.
Whose idea was it for Mary J. Blige to do “What I Did For Love” and I hope they were fired?
How long before Audra McDonald holds the record for lifetime Tony Awards (I first noticed her in the chorus of Carousel in 1993!).
Hugh Jackman and John Taligarlio…sigh!
I loved the numbers from Avenue Q and Assassins (and I remember the first run of that, which opened and closed like a camera shutter. It was odd seeing someone onstage playing John Hinkley last night (and that will be my One and Only Reagan Comment).
I’m happy you won, Phylicia, but it is not a Nobel Peace Prize. Just say “thank you” and sit down.
Who knew Sarah Jessica Parker was so easily embarrassed? And who thinks Boy from Oz will stay open five minutes after Hugh leaves? Hell, people didn’t pay to see Peter Allen himself when he was on B’way!
Near the top of my list of “Things to do Before I Die” is seeing a Broadway play (preferably a musical).
I don’t see the attraction in Hugh Jackman. He usually looks a little asymmetrical to me.
(Green smiley for Elphaba.)) Oh, and Hugh! Hugh Hugh Hugh! 
(Gold smiley for the shiney Peter.) Those three shows (Avenue Q, Wicked and Boy From Oz) have brought a much-needed rejuvenation to Broadway, and darn is it exciting to celebrate them, even if the mainstream entertainment world couldn’t be bothered to care.