I can easily see both shows being nominated - Matilda is pretty fantastic & has a great score, among other things; Kinky Boots is overall fun and not terrible (I've seen worse things get nominated, so anything "not terrible" has a decent shot at a Tony *shrugs*)
I would say, I'd be very surprised if Matilda *didn't* win something (assuming they don't drastically change anything from the West End incarnation).
As for Stark winning... Don't get me wrong, I love Stark, but I'm not 100% convinced this is a Tony-worthy/winning role. Then again, it's all relative. I'd have to see who he'd be stacked up against and judge from there.
See Tim Minchin's score in Matilda is terrific and for me deserves a tony and a knighthood for this terrific score. Its just a wonderful piece with dark humor with a message. I am not saying Boots is not like this but has a more traditional score by the sounds of it but I do think Boots will have the gay voters saying yes. Its why Le Cage won over Sunday. Sunday was so good and amazing a critically more successful according to critics.
Oh, good grief. Now gay voters are incapable of being critical or unbiased? Hogwash.
You can't judge a musical before it is open HERE, nor can you judge it simply on its score.
I'm seeing both in April -- ask me then.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I saw Matilda in London and was not a fan because I couldn't hear any of the lyrics on their ridiculously bad audio system. The first 15 minutes are great---- The set is gorgeous, the costumes great, the kids unique and wonderful and the performances over the top good ----- but I lost interest after 15 minutes. Miss Trenchbull or Bullturn (or whatever her name is) steals the show. Got the film, and again I loved the first 15 minutes but then it seemed I lost interest with that too so it may be the material. Or it may be my short attention span. Or it may mean that the show is great for 15 minutes. Or it may mean nothing. That being said, Matilda is going to be loved by young girls. If you are on the young side and like Annie, then Matilda is your choice. The kids are great in this.
Kinky Boots is more adult in nature. Saving a 100 year old factory, finding your true calling and making shoes for a niche market....drag queens.
Haven't seen Kinky Boots but I'm fairly certain that not being a 12 year old girl, I will like it better.
They will both be nominated.
Bertie Carvell as Mrs Trenchbull is a sure nomination as is Billy Porter for Kinky Boots.
>Its why Le Cage won over Sunday. Sunday was so good and amazing a critically more successful according to critics.<
The original production of Sunday had a few strong advocates (most notably Frank Rich in The New York Times, who wrote passionately about it for the duration of its run) but on the whole, it received mostly negative reviews. La Cage got a much stronger critical reception and was also a huge commercial hit.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
I saw Boots in Chicago. Without major work Sands is not a likely nominee. The book is kind of a mess, Mitchell's work is serviceable and the Lauper and Porter are probably the strongest contenders in the major categories, provided Porter's voice holds out. It was pretty shaky towards the end of the run.
But since I am gay, my vote would go to anything and anyone in KB over anything or anyone in Matilda...and I have not even seen Matilda, but you know we gays hate anything that has to do with little girls.
Is it wrong of me to think that Diner which is "supposed" to open come spring and very few if any people know much about the production, may suprise everyone.
If the producers of Cinderella can get the show to be considered "new" and not a revival, arguing that although the musical has been staged before this is a "new adaption" of the Rogers and Hammerstein TV movie by Douglas Carter Bean it may cause the likly momentum and buzz of Matilda. Also producers could argue that it should be considered a new musical on the grounds that Nice Work If You Can Get It and Crazy for You were despite being hevily revised versions of Oh Kay and Girl Crazy respectivly. Both of the Gershwin shows retain their original scores with new songs of the catalog being added, which is apparently what also happening with Cinderella (According to DCB he added songs from the R&H trunk). It would change to conversation from "Matilda how do i love thee" to "Wow Cinderella's being considered a new musical, let's see why".
Right, the gay vote is the reason Priscilla swept the Tony awards two years ago. Those gays and their biased voting!
Also, I'd be shocked if Cinderella was considered a new musical. The producers probably wouldn't want it to be considered new anyways to compete against the behemoth that will be Matilda. Right now revival isn't too crowded with only a red headed orphan and Edwin Drood to compete with.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
Of course one hopes there is some studious re-writing going on with the latter. But Matilda is sorta one for the ages (though the score is one of the least fantastic aspects of it).
I can see both musicals having legs and running for a good while, I guess Kinky Boots which does sound fantastic for a subject for a musical, will get major re-writes before landing in New York.
More and more I am thinking CINDERELLA should be considered a NEW Musical. It has a completely new book and the score has never been heard on the Broadway. There is more NEW to this production than most revivals. And if Starkie wants to discuss his award chances, he can come over to my apt. anytime. (call me)
I'm surprised I was able to open this thread without that annoying Matilda pop-up ad showing up on my screen.
I think KB has a shot at Lead Male (Porter), Featured Actress (Ashford), Choreography, Costumes, Score, and show. Stark is great, but he is the Matthew Broderick to Porter's Nathan Lane.
"Observe how bravely I conceal this dreadful dreadful shame I feel."