Drama League Benefit Gala

[mamaleh]

I read today that the annual benefit gala of the Drama League is honoring Neil Patrick Harris in 2014. The evening, probably not coincidentally, is to be directed by the director of his upcoming HEDWIG revival. Past winners have included notable theater execs and behind-the-scenes creatives as well as Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth. I don't believe Hugh was ever so honored. I know Harris has hosted the Tonys as many times as Hugh (and this June will up him by one turn), but given that Hugh has raised so much money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and appeared at innumerable benefits, I would think he would come before Harris in the pecking order of honorees. (Of course, I'm biased, as most of us like are!)

Still, I hope next year Hugh receives that honor--especially if HOUDINI comes to fruition.

Ellen

[jo]

Color me cynical or even paranoid smiley-rolleyes010

But I have been getting a feeling that the pure theatre community ( no Tv or cinema involvement) have become very wary ( at the kindest) or jealous ( at the least kind) of performers who come from other fields who they feel are getting "their jobs". Call it the Hunter Foster syndrome!

In Hugh's case, they obviously did not care for his getting the Les Miserables role of a lifetime -- instead of fully supporting him, what did Cerveris, even Stephanie J, and lately Neil PH say -- cynical interpretations of what Hooper and Hugh have praised about the live singing aspect of the movie. Can you imagine if Hugh did not have a real theatre background - the words would probably be more acidic?

But the TONYs knew better in recognizing Hugh's contribution -- Hugh's second TONY acknowledged his contributions both as a performer ( it was an acknowledgment of how great Back on Broadway was, except it cannot be accorded the usual TONY performance honors) and as a humanitarian. Although I wonder if that award caused further anger or jealousy towards Hugh?? Hmm...

Re the Drama League - in 2003/2004, they accorded him the singular honor of being that season's DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE awardee, chosen among some 70 -plus lead/featured actors and actresses. How they can choose NPH before Hugh's obvious impact on Broadway was probably political...or even worse, (an accomodation, paid or pushed) promotional ( for Hedwig).

If...big if....for Houdini-- until the show becomes ready, maybe there will be another round of applause for Hugh Jackman's extraordinary impact on Broadway. But I hope the pace of the project is not going to cause Hugh to reconsider his involvement. I guess we'll see by the end of the year what the verdict will be.

Jo