Comments on: And The 2008 Tony Awards Go To …

By: Ludwig latino

Ludwig latino — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:25:30 +0000

wow I am so proud because as a Latino having grown up in Washington Heights I would have never thought that a play about my birthplace would ever see the light of day let alone receive such an honored award. I am proud to know that a latino won the most coveted Tony this year, and if that’s not breakthrough, I don’t know what is. I would have thought that you would have been a little bit more open minded, especially as a fellow latino, and given props to Lin-Manuel for this. Please watch this musical when you get a chance and then you can make a fair judgement on whether Xanadu should have still won or not.

Remember you felt the same way about Sex and the City until you saw the episodes, give In the Heights a fair shot, you won’t regret it :)

By: heyhey

heyhey — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:31:04 +0000

Yah, sorry to hop on this loaded bandwagon, but “stodgy” was not an apropos description for this year’s winners. If anything, The Scottish Play, as legendary as it is (with excellent reason) would be the epitome of old school as the come, whereas “In The Heights” is “old skool” as in hiphop, which if you’d told me as little as five years ago would have 1)existed on broadway 2)would WIN, I’d have told you to straight up “Stop Lying”. If this show, plus “Passing Strange” and last seaon’s “Spring Awakening” are harbingers of what’s coming on Broadway, it’s 180 degrees from “stodgy”, and I say BRING. IT.

(If anything, what runs the risk of being played out in the coming seasons are the ubiquitous movie musicals. I know that Disney led the way to accessibilty via their adaptations, and it’s injected some interest into the scene post-Lloyd-Webber, but do we need another camp movie turned play EVERY DAMN YEAR?)

Finally, at the risk of catching hell and being banned from my fave pinktasitc-blog, “Rent” is dead. Stop pining for Idina, Jessie and co. They’ve all moved on! You’ve got the cast CD (and The Movie). That should be enough.

By: kara

kara — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:07:11 +0000

The RENT performance disappointed me a little too. :( I was hoping they’d do something really cool, but the only people really in costume weren’t the major cast members! And where was Jesse L. Martin?! I kept looking for him but I don’t think he was there.

By: KT

KT — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:54:40 +0000

I understand that you’re disappointed about your faves not winner, but you’re dead wrong about new, innovative shows not winning. Check out Spring Awakening – it’s based off a play written over 100 years ago that was always controversial (sex, abortion, suicide, coming out, incest, abuse, rape, s&m) and was turned into practically a rock musical. There is nothing stodgy about it – it’s MUCH edgier than Legally Blonde.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:53:44 +0000

Honestly, Trent, I love you, I do. But some of these other commenters are right. Xanadu and Legally Blonde are what we call “fluff” musicals. There’s no mature meat at the heart of it. Musicals like South Pacific and Gypsy have heart, they have drive, they have deep feeling. They’re complex! It’s like comparing reading Shakespeare to reading Cosmopolitan. Both are great, but really now, which took more thought, more skill, and more heart to write? What is more challenging to perform, and therefore more rewarding to see performed well?

Last night Patti LuPone ripped her heart out onstage for you! That’s hardly worth scoffing at.

I challenge you to go see South Pacific or Gypsy or some other “mired” musical that you think you might not like. Go into the theatre with an open mind and heart, and prepare to be blown away. These are NOT your Grandma’s musicals!

By: COSMO GUY

COSMO GUY — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:44:10 +0000

I loved Whoopi’s Mary Poppins bit, she’s so great at playing characters.

Cosmo Guy
http://www.cosmoguyonline.com

By: wordsoveractions

wordsoveractions — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:25:44 +0000

Um, so I’m sorry, but when it comes to theatre you clearly have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about. I’ve been reading your blog for a pretty long time now, but I generally have to skip over any posts you write that have to do with theatre, because your opinions are so ass-backwards. To say that Legally Blonde got shafted last year is a ridiculous claim. Spring Awakening reshaped the limits of Broadway theatre acceptability last year while still being tasteful and having artistic merit, things that Legally Blonde lacks. And to claim that Xanadu was shafted last night? You have to be kidding me! I adore Kerry Butler, and who doesn’t like a man as gorgeous as Cheyenne Jackson in short shorts like that? …But to even begin to claim that Xanadu was worthy of a Tony win is absolutely ludicrous! Had this been any other year on Broadway, Xanadu probably would not have even recieved a nomination. A terrible movie was taken and turned into an equally terrible theatre production. It pushes no boundaries and does nothing innovative or creative at all. There is little to no merit to this production at all. While I can agree with you on Macbeth possibly being worthy of awards last night, I cannot reconcile your ideas about Xanadu with common sense. Please learn a bit about theatre before you state your opinions so strongly.

By: Ya

Ya — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:48:25 +0000

“South Pacific” is beautiful! It is hardly mired. “Gypsy” is also arguably the greatest musical ever written. “Xanadu” and “Legally Blonde” are a lot of fun, but not really on the same level from a structural, musical, or overall storytelling point of view. And I agree with the above – Tony voters may be a bit stodgy at times, but “In the Heights” (as well as last year’s winner for Best Musical, “Spring Awakening”) proves that innovative, contemporary, and fresh musicals are still making a big impact with audiences and voters alike. Thanks for featuring the Tony Awards on the blog! Yay Broadway!

By: Carly

Carly — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:20:35 +0000

The ads and commercials for In The Heights do no justice to how amazing it looks based on the performance last night. I definitely have to see it now. I agree about the little mermaid performance. It was disappointing to see such an abridged format of such a good song especially when the musical is filled with so many fun numbers. A full performance may have swayed some people who were reading the bad reviews to actually go see it. And while I love Sierra as Ariel, Sherie Rene Scott really steals the show as Ursula ;)

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:05:03 +0000

Props to the Tonys for putting on the most entertaining awards so this year. I absolutely loved all the musical numbers in the show last night. I also agree that In the Heights is an amazing show that completely deserved to win (although Xanadu is great too, not to knock your fav). But I don’t think Xanadu was passed over for something “traditional.” In the Heights is based on salsa/rap music and set in north Manhattan, so I definately think the Tony voters are not just stuck in the past (by the way tho, the South Pacific revival is absolutely spectacular, and I highly recommend it)

By: Glutenhater

Glutenhater — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:35:53 +0000

Stodgy? That makes no sense considering they chose the show that is largely rapped. Thank god they do not pick best musicals based on how much money they bring in. Rather they choose the best shows and that is why In the Heights won last night.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:35:26 +0000

I agree that the Little Mermaid number was just sad… in a neglected kind of way…. but that show has gotten horrible reviews. I also agree with the above poster, shows like Legally Blonde and Xanadu- they are kind of like the blockbuster movies of theatre- lots of fun to see, but never get nominated for oscars (or in this case, Tonys). Macbeth, however was woefully neglected.

I did love how many musical numbers were in the program, that made it much more watchable. The Lion King performance was great, made me want to see the show again.

By: A perfectionist

A perfectionist — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:15:09 +0000

Sorry to be picky, but I remember a certain name being “Whoopi Goldberg” instead of “Whoppi Goldberg”…

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:09:54 +0000

Trent,

I have to agree with you on the Rent performance. When I heard the original cast would be returning I pictured everyone in full costume doing a full number together. Although, it was touching I felt a better tribute could have been paid to Jonathan Larson and his wonderful show. I went to see it 2 weeks ago for the last time and walking out the door of that theatre for the last time made me incredibly sad.

In the Heights is absolutely AMAZING. I went to see it 2 weeks ago as well and was completely blown away. Lin Manuel-Miranda is a complete genius and this show he made is truly outstanding. I recommend the next time you are in NY you try and see the show I really think you will like it. It is truly original and a breath of fresh air for Broadway it deserved every award it received last night.

By: Mauricio

Mauricio — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:59:08 +0000

Trent I believe Xanadu just like Legally Blonde are very commercial shows that are meant to appeal to mass audiences. The Tony’s are not a popularity contest but rather a recognition to deep storytelling and powerful performance that not only entertain but provide audiences with an almost life changing experience. In the Heights absolutely deserves the award.

By: molly

molly — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:53:07 +0000

Hey Trent!

While I agree that Xanadu is completely brills, you’re giving no props at all to In the Heights, the absolutely AMAZING show that won Best Musical, etc. I think it definitely shows that the Tony voters ARE beginning to see beyond the traditional…I mean, the show is partly rapped. Lin-Manuel Miranda is an amazing performer and artist, you should definitely check the show out and see for yourself : )

ps. laura benanti’s win made the night for me, that girl’s been working hard rocking the stage for years!