Neil Patrick Harris, Idina Menzel, Sutton Foster, Sting, Fantasia, Wicked, Rocky and More Will Perform on Tony Awards

[jacobsnchz14]

For Gentleman's Guide, I would be totally content with Jefferson Mays performing "I Don't Understand The Poor" while walking through the audience singing to the different celebs, then transitioning into "I've Decided To Marry You" on the stage... ala Pippin from last year with "Corner of the Sky" and "Magic To Do."

[BobNC]

I agree with the person who commented about old shows being given performance time. Does Wicked really need any help in promoting it? What do you think the cast of Beautiful will sing? The only number Jessie performs with most of the cast is You've Got A Friend. However, this number doesn't highlight Jessie or the show as well as It's Too Late, Natural Woman, One Fine Day, or the last number, Beautiful.

[haterobics]

I don't see there being a problem with Wicked being recognized for hitting 10 years. I recall other long-running shows doing the same at different times, no? I mean, if they just showed up randomly one year then it would seem a bit off, but an anniversary seems like a reasonable thing to celebrate (and I've never been a big fan of the show, so it's not like I'm saying this out of pure showlove)

[candydog2]

It may be nominated, but to me it would make little sense to have Bridges perform. It deserves to. O'Hara deserves to showcase her performance too, but it does make very little business sense. They should just include a brief segment of a song sort of like what they did for A catered affair/Little Mermaid/Young Frankenstein a number years ago.

A full scale production number seems a little silly - you're basically advertising a show on national television that people can't even go and see.

[jacobsnchz14]

That was the same thing with Leap of Faith, and too they knew the rights would be available right off for other productions of it and wanted to at least have something visual like that performance to sell the show.

[Auggie27]

I'm always intrigued by the outrage over omissions/inclusions, as if the Tony show is being performed for a select crowd of afficianados and devotees. The Tonys -- as a piece of broadcast television -- are a shrewd, calculated informercial for the highly commercial venue known as Broadway. One reason running shows are included is to promote success, highlight shows people can (still) buy seats to. It's not a night designed to inspire or comfort an elitist coterie of followers to feel validated and vindicated. It's to celebrate a money-making end of show-business. That's a proven fact. BRIDGES might've spent money for O'Hara to sing (say the exquisite "Almost Real," the solo that wiped up). But the show is gone, and the pockets ever emptier. Whose dollars would be forked over in the interest of somebody's idea of fairness?

This O'Hara vs Menzel debate is rather pointless. Menzel has earned a place on this telecast for three obvious reasons: she's a nominee of a running show her producers want to promote (fund) on-air; a Tony-winning star of a show being recognized for a decade run; and a soloist on the best-selling album in the entire world. Gee, I guess it's fair that she got a slot.

O'Hara will be there, clips will be shown for sure. But is the evening a tragedy for its focus on success? Maybe not; maybe just about keeping a highly profitable enterprise -- Broadway -- a tourist stop, and making sure that what it exports on the road sells, too.

[veronicamae]

If/Then did a buzzfeed about Idina's performances and billed her upcoming performance on the Tonys as "high-octane." I think it's safe to say she's doing "Always Starting Over"!
6 Earth Shattering Idina Menzel Performances

[Mr Roxy]

The Tonys are all about shows that can tour thus touting their Tony credentials.

After this year's nominations and snubs, it is no longer totally based on talent and best performances.The shows that can make money by touring need the nominations.

[Elfuhbuh]

I agree, I don't see a problem with Wicked celebrating its tenth anniversary for a couple minutes (considering they hardly did anything for the actual anniversary, but I digress). Didn't Phantom do the same thing on the Tonys last year for its 25th?

[madbrian]

For me, the more performances the better.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Based on an Instagram photo, it looks like WICKED is doing "For Good."

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Sneak-Peek-at-WICKED-in-Rehearsal-for-the-Tonys-20140605#.U5D5o5RdWaE

[Elfuhbuh]

^ That would be fine for me. It's different, anyway, not just another Defying Gravity performance.

[TFMH18]

If you follow the Tonys on Instagram, you'll see that they uploaded a photo of Idina rehearsing her song and...

SPOILER ALERT*********




*******it is clear by the costume and background that she is singing Always Starting Over. Very good news I think!

[BroadwayGirl107]

I think that's just...Idina's normal clothing. But I still feel pretty confident she'll be performing "Always Starting Over."

[IdinaBellFoster]

I thought that as well, but if you look closely you can see the star background behind her! Yay!!

[IdinaBellFoster]

I thought that as well, but if you look closely you can see the star background behind her! Yay!!

[valeposh]

Someone isn't too happy with the Tonys...
Steven Pasquale's tweet: "So- Wicked,The Last Ship,and Finding Neverland (shows that have absolutely nothing to do with this bway season) are performing but no BOMC?"

I know it's a matter of producers and money, but I can see his point.

[dreaming]

Yes-and I could think of other shows that I feel should be performing. I totally empathize with him and the cast-the score will most likely take home the trophy-too bad the viewers won't even get a sample of the score.

[TFMH18]

"I think that's just...Idina's normal clothing"

Ha! Mostly is but the purple sweater is definitely what she wears in that song. Plus, as others mentioned, the starry background confirms it.

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

Menzel is #1 trending on YAHOO at the moment. Kind of cool. If you click on her name it goes to pics of the rehearsal on their news list.

[fingerlakessinger]

I seriously can't believe how a Broadway star has blown up to this extent. I'm so happy that there is someone bringing attention to Broadway. I work at Starbucks, and today I overheard some older women talking about their weekend plans. I heard one of them mention that she was gonna watch the Tony's because she was interested in seeing "Eye-dina" sing something other than Frozen.
Anyway, I'm really hoping for her to sing "Always Starting Over"

[ucjrdude902]

After Midnight is opening the show with Fantasia, Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle.

[getlucky2]

That is the exact outfit she wears in Always Starting Over