Tonys 2017 -- Kevin Spacey to Host

[mamaleh]

Just read the news. He hasn't done Broadway lately, but he's a pretty fair singer, impressionist and raconteur. If Hugh can't do it, not a bad choice.

www.broadwayworld.com/article/Actor-Impressionist-Music-Man-More-Meet-Your-2017-Tonys-Host-Kevin-Spacey-20170418

Ellen

[jo]

Michael Riedel praises the choice!

I do, too -- if only to recognize a serious and accomplished film and theatre actor!

nypost.com/2017/04/18/for-a-15th-choice-spaceys-a-pretty-smart-pick-for-the-tonys/


It's probably said in jest, but Michael says that among the naysayers was Hugh Jackman


Jo

[mamaleh]

I don't know--it seems Riedel was serious, although not about his mother's hosting a Tupperware party.

If true, I wonder why HJ turned it down, considering his plate is fairly empty at the moment. I'm guessing he just needs a longer period to decompress from all the activity over the past year. Too bad, though.

Then again, that saves my overspending ridiculously on Tonys tickets. So thanks, Hugh.

Ellen

[jo]

Maybe Hugh has an upcoming project that we are not aware of

(Always hopeful)Jo

[jo]

Or he will back in Australia with the family

Jo

[jo]

Full list of 2017 TONY NOMINATIONS --

www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2375136


Congratulations to PASEK & PAUL for Best Musical Score nomination!

[jo]

The last 3 plays raved by Hugh all got nominations -- COME FROM AWAY/DOLLS HOUSE PT 2/ GROUNDHOG DAY.

Was SUNSET BOULEVARD snubbed or just ineligible?


Jo

[mamaleh]

I believe although SUNSET was eligible for Best Revival, Glenn Close was not.

Ellen

[jo]

Hugh makes his personal favorites known

[jo]

If you are a theatre nerd or even an occasional Broadway-goer -- this is a fun fill-in-the-blanks questionnaire for you on the eve of the TONYs

Or was it meant to be a guessing game of who was the guilty party



www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/new-tony-award-categories?mbid=social_twitter

Daily Shouts
New Tony Award Categories
By Bizzy Coy   June 9, 2017


Malest Theatre Critic

Best Unoriginal Score

Sweatiest Dance Belt

Horniest Orchestra

Most Disappointing Onstage Nudity

Best Lighting of a Stage-Door Selfie

Best Ill-Conceived Revival of a Racist Musical

Best Cool New Play Based on a Dumb Old Play

Best Musical Based on a Book, Movie, or Trending Hashtag

Best Orchestration of a Scheme to Sneak Out at Intermission

Best Standing Ovation for a Famous Actress Just for Being Famous

Best British Musical Smuggled into the U.S. Inside a Prosthetic Leg

Best Scathing Review Refashioned by Press Agents into a Rave Marquee Quote

Best Usher Who Doesn’t Take Shit from Nobody and Isn’t About to Start Today

Best New Play Bravely Written and Directed by White People About Another Culture

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Ticket Scalping, Sponsored by StubHub

Best Sound Design of a Patron’s Cell Phone Ringing During the Emotional Climax of a Play

Best YouTube Comment Complaining About the Shaky Camerawork of a Bootleg Video

Best Gritty, Stripped-Down Revival of a Musical that Leaves No Fanciful Frippery to Conceal Its Glaring Flaws

Best Featured Actor Who Seems Like He Might Be a Serial Killer—I Don’t Know, It’s Just Something About His Creepy Vibe

Best Leading Actress in a Musical Who Frequently “Forgets” to Bring Her Wallet to the Restaurant Between Performances

Best Career Ensemble Dancer Phoning It in Until He Finishes Paying for His Kid’s School and Can Retire and Give His Poor Knees a Break

Best Sixteen-Dollar Cocktail in a Plastic Sippy Cup Filled with Ice That Clatters Like a Rattle, Giving the Drinker the Appearance of an Alcoholic Baby

Best Revival of a Play About a White Family in Their White Living Room Talking About Their White Problems That Has Never Been More Timely and Relevant

Best Featured Actress Sobbing on the Floor of the Public Bathroom at the Times Square Marriott Marquis Hotel as She Posts on Instagram About Living Her #BestLife

Best Taxi Driver Who Lays on the Horn When Driving Through the Theatre District Just for the Thrill of It

Best Choreography of a Row of Patrons Half-Standing, Pulling in Their Knees, and Shifting to the Side to Allow a Latecomer to Squeeze by After the Play Has Already Begun

Best Leading Actor on a Phone Call with His Mother Pretending He Isn’t Upset When She Asks If He’s Ever Going to Quit This Theatre Thing and Get a Real Job

Best Direction by a Woman—Just Kidding, This Category Will Be Replaced by a Montage from “Annie II: Hip-Hop Don’t Stop (Singing About 2morrow) Featuring D.J. Daddy Big Buckz”

Best New Play by a Genius Woman Playwright Who Has Been Working Steadily in the Industry for a Billion Years and Should Have Had Her Broadway Début Decades Ago; What Took You People So Freaking Long

Best Mom Between the Ages of Forty-five and Sixty-five Whose Full-Price Ticket Purchases Keep the Precariously Balanced Commercial-Theatre Industry from Collapsing Like the House of Cards That It Is, Whose Taste Dictates the Shows That Succeed, Who Can’t Understand Why She Is Bombarded with Broadway-Related E-mails Despite Constantly Unsubscribing from Them

Actual Best Musical that Makes You Laugh, Cry, Tap Your Toes, Hum Along, See the Human Experience from a New Perspective, and Feel Deep Emotions Stirring Inside You That Had Been Dormant for Years Because That Is the Power of Good Musical Theatre and Don’t You Forget It

Best Sound Design?

[jo]

These are breaking-the-fourth wall participations from the audience

Best Lighting of a Stage-Door Selfie

Best Orchestration of a Scheme to Sneak Out at Intermission

Best Standing Ovation for a Famous Actress Just for Being Famous

Best Sound Design of a Patron’s Cell Phone Ringing During the Emotional Climax of a Play

Best YouTube Comment Complaining About the Shaky Camerawork of a Bootleg Video

Best Choreography of a Row of Patrons Half-Standing, Pulling in Their Knees, and Shifting to the Side to Allow a Latecomer to Squeeze by After the Play Has Already Begun

Best Mom Between the Ages of Forty-five and Sixty-five Whose Full-Price Ticket Purchases Keep the Precariously Balanced Commercial-Theatre Industry from Collapsing Like the House of Cards That It Is, Whose Taste Dictates the Shows That Succeed, Who Can’t Understand Why She Is Bombarded with Broadway-Related E-mails Despite Constantly Unsubscribing from Them

[jo]

As one Rockette post puts it -- it has been 13 years since they last performed at the TONYs. It looks like they will back for Broadway's Big Night tomorrow!

We're busy rehearsing Broadway's biggest night! It's been 13 years since we performed on the Tony Awards - you won't want to miss it.

www.facebook.com/rockettes/

Please scroll down for the video clip.



Hmmm...that would be 2004!

That hosting performance would win an EMMY for Hugh Jackman!







Does anyone remember our speculations from the official TBFO board then as to what Hugh would be performing at the TONYs, since TBFO was one of 4 Best Musical nominees ( Btw, Avenue Q beat Wicked for the win)?

One of our speculations was that he might use the number with one Rockette(they could not afford the entire lineup) but using the theatrical mirror-trick in the musical itself?

Little did we know that --

*That Hugh would dance and sing with the entire Rockette lineup, complete with high-kicks!






*That he would perform not a specific number from the show...but that he will combine the best features of BI-COASTAL and NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR for his TONY number!






Great memories!


Jo

[mamaleh]

That was my favorite Tonys number, ever. Oh, how he put his self-described "showgirl kegs" to use.

Thanks for posting those wonderful memories, Jo.

Ellen

[jo]

We're getting the TONY telecast LIVE here in Manila! Yay!


*I really, really enjoyed Kevin Spacey's Opening Number! A great actor...and as the opening number showed -- he is an ENTERTAINER, too!

(Hey, did you see the familiar leopard spots shirt )

I did love the turbanized Spacey as Norma



I will update as the show goes on...


*I wish I had seen Scarlett Johansson on the Broadway stage ( in a straight play...or a musical)!

*Welcome to the ROCK was quite a catchy number -- whether it was Kevin dancing with the Rockettes ( sniff, sniff - that takes me back) or ... in the hit number from COME FROM AWAY! If only for its historical emotional impact on the event that preceded WELCOME TO THE ROCK on those fateful days from September 11 ( 2001) -- that is a real contender for Best Musical! We'll see!

*Gavin Creel finally won a TONY! I have seen him live only once ( the revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. I wonder how his character Cornelius in HELLO, DOLLY compares to the comical Michael Crawford in the film adaptation?

*Lea Salonga and Jon-Jon Briones introduce the show which they originated in London in 1989...and is now being revived on Broadway ( with Eva Noblezada) - I do get a little misty-eyed. It's not only because of pride for fellow countrymen ( Lea, Jon-Jon, and American-born Eva but also of Filipino parentage)...but that takes me back to the first time I saw the show in London. Lea won the Oliver and the Tony for that role. Will Eva have a chance?

*I also discovered straight plays ( as an equal favorite with musicals) only more recently -- in the last decade -- glad that there is such an emphasis on them now.

*Cynthia Nixon is one of Broadway's underappreciated fine actresses!

*FALSETTOS's appeal seems to be very New York-themed! Good to see Stephanie J ( TBFO) and Andrew ( Book of Mormon) once again.


*Big CONGRATS to Benj Pasek and Justin Hall for Best Score (DEAR EVAN HANSEN)! Hope this win continues with THE GREATEST SHOWMAN! First an OSCAR ( La La Land) and now a TONY ( DEH)!! Hey, an EGOT in the future ??
Btw, the musical also won for BEST ORCHESTRATIONS, earlier announced inside RCMH.


*Odds-on favorite for Best Musical Actor, Ben Platt, sings his most sensational number from DEAR EVAN HANSEN : WAVING THROUGH A WINDOW. Hey, it does look and sound more like an excellent character study -- but in a musical context! I did not realize that when I first saw him singing it outside of the show.


*Kevin Kline is recognized for his work as BEST ACTOR in a play for PRESENT LAUGHTER! I have seen him only in films ( such as PIRATES OF PENZANCE).


*Will ANDY KARL deliver a surprise win in the BEST ACTOR in a Musical category? He seems to be in full command of his character in the musicalized stage adaptation of GROUNDHOG DAY?

*David Hyde Pierce is a good musical theatre actor - I saw him in Spamalot ( but I still prefer Walter Matthau's grumpy film portrayal of Horace Vandelgelder) -- it seems that he had to perform the solo number because the producers would not want to bring over their set for HELLO DOLLY ( and where is Bette ??). Bette did turn up...to introduce another winner in a different category.


* Laurie Metcalf ( A DOLL'S HOUSE - Part 2) wins for Best Actress in a Play! Great competition -- two were former Oscar winners, Cate Blanchett and Sally Field.


*Another win for DEAR EVAN HANSEN -- Rachel Bay Jones for Best Featured Actor in a Musical!

*An Ode to New York! My former home so many decades ago! Where I discovered the theatre in a big way! What could be more representative of New York live entertainment ( other than Broadway) than a show at Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes! I missed Hugh!...Cynthia and Leslie seemed more like a gratuitous appearance but who cares -- their piece of singing of the anthemic song NEW YORK, NEW YORK was more than welcome!

*Play direction win for the play INDECENT!

*Musical play direction win for COME FROM AWAY!

*Broadway musical divas, Patti Lupone and Christine Ebersole ( as Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden), sing about their competition in WAR PAINT!

*Kevin Spacey is great actor -- I didn't even recognize his impersonations earlier...Sorry, but Josh Gad was not impressive as a live standup comedian!

*Best Play Revival goes to August Wilson's JITNEY !

*Josh Groban leads the company of the other Best Musical nominee ( Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 -- did I get that complete?). A lot of musical spectacle ( almost reminiscent of Moulin Rouge) and based on the Russian classic novel, Leo Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE.


*BEST PLAY award goes to OSLO!

*BANDSTAND, a musical about war veterans trying to reintegrate back to civilian life, performs a musical number.

*HELLO DOLLY wins BEST REVIVAL for a MUSICAL, as expected!

*A poignant IN MEMORIAM for members of the theatre community lost this season!

*Acting honors for musicals :

-- BEN PLATT for DEAR EVAN HANSEN

-- BETTE MIDDLER for HELLO, DOLLY!


Both were generally expected!


*BEST MUSICAL -- DEAR EVAN HANSEN!!

Finally, Kevin Spacey and Patti Lupone lead the singing of a finale song written for Bobby Darin!


That's it for this season on the Great White Way!

[hughmanity]

I agree. He did REALLY well.  Gave it his all and good material.  Loved the Hugh references too!

Jun 11, 2017 19:15:45 GMT -5 jo said:

We're getting the TONY telecast LIVE here in Manila! Yay!


*I really, really enjoyed Kevin Spacey's Opening Number! A great actor...and as the opening number showed -- he is an ENTERTAINER, too!

(Hey, did you see the familiar leopard spots shirt )

[mamaleh]

Those Hugh references were fun to hear. Agree that Spacey made a very good host. He spent some time as a standup comedian who did impressions, so I wasn't surprised he shone in that area. And he was generally genial and funny. His dance in evening attire reminded me, too, of Hugh''s Oscars number.

Too bad HJ was not in the audience. Would have liked to see the camera catch his reactions.

Ellen

[jo]

From the NYTimes --

The evening’s host, Mr. Spacey, was an unusual choice for an awards show — unlike many of his predecessors (James Corden, Neil Patrick Harris and Hugh Jackman), he is not known as a song-and-dance man. Rather, this two-time Oscar winner has been a riveting television presence portraying an underhanded president, Francis Underwood, in “House of Cards” on Netflix.

But setting aside his dramatic persona to demonstrate his showbiz chops, he affectionately mocked the most-admired new musicals on Broadway as he opened the awards.

Distancing himself from hosts of other awards shows in recent months, Mr. Spacey did not focus on national politics, but instead poked fun at his own status as an unlikely host.

He adapted lyrics and set pieces from each of the four shows nominated as best musical. He wore a cast on his arm, much like the title character in “Dear Evan Hansen,” only to turn it into a knee brace, recognizing the injured lead actor in “Groundhog Day.” He cradled an accordion, as did Josh Groban in “The Great Comet,” and summoned a bizarre chorus line featuring the Rockettes and the cast of “Come From Away.”

None of the shows were particularly razzle-dazzle — in fact, he joked about the serious themes they explored — but that didn’t stop Mr. Spacey, who concluded with a tap dance number.

Is it only me...or was Kevin's Opening number inspired by Hugh Jackman's 2009 Oscars Opening Number

I was getting that impression as the number unfolded. Plus Kevin's genial manner and self-deprecating style, while poking mild fun ( no vicious assaults!) of the nominated shows, reminded me of Hugh's performance at the Oscars.


Jo

[jo]

The Hollywood Reporter did not like Kevin Spacey at all...nor his Opening Number. THR says he lacks warmth and humility *eyeroll*

www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/71st-annual-tony-awards-tv-review-1012314


Deadline.com adds its 2 cents worth of review of the show --

deadline.com/2017/06/tony-awards-show-review-1202111039/


The LA Times call the show sweet, corny and touching --

www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-tony-awards-review-20170611-story.html



Why are these Hollywood trade paper reviewing the TONYs -- have they even seen the shows on Broadway which are referred to? Are they making judgments simply on what was presented? Unless they regularly review Broadway shows, one wonders if they fully appreciate what the TONYs represents.


Jo

[jo]

I would much rather read this review from a theatre insider --

www.theatermania.com/broadway/reviews/dear-evan-hansen-2017-was-a-good-year-for-the-tony_81409.html

[jo]

Backstage at the TONYs ( not literally...but what the TV cameras did not show ) --

variety.com/2017/legit/news/tony-awards-2017-secrets-ceremony-parties-1202462363/