Finding Neverland Number on Tonys

[SFFrontRow]

With all the shows that did not make the cut for Best Musical being shut out from the Tony Awards telecast, WHY put in a number from a show not even on Broadway right now? If this truly IS a celebration of the past Broadway season, why not include those poor unfortunates that got nominations in other categories but not Best Musical.

I am not demeaning Finding Neverland, but give the other shows FROM THIS SEASON a chance to shine on a national stage. It could help touring versions of these shows, or highlight something about those shows that were nominated for other awards (like Bridges who had Best Actress nominee along with book and score).

[HorseTears]

I don't have a problem with forward promotion - who can blame a producer for trying? Just wondering, though, does it seem like there are more "extra" numbers than in years past? I'm wondering how they're going to fit this all in without going over. Unlike the Oscars, it seems that local affiliates won't let the network run over on the Tonys. Hopefully it doesn't mean even more of the awards are going to be presented in the untelevised portion.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Not to mention it's being performed by Jennifer Hudson. Love her but...why?

[ljay889]

Riedel wrote about this today. I don't have the link though.

[haterobics]

http://nypost.com/2014/06/04/harvey-throws-his-weight-around-to-get-on-tv/

[jacobsnchz14]

I agree with HorseTears... if the NEVERLAND folks are putting the money together to be on the Tonys, then good for them. If BRIDGES isn't/can't/whatever, then that's why they're not performing. It's not like Tonys don't want BRIDGES to perform. It's just no one's putting money for it if that's the reason.

[SFFrontRow]

Didnt ever know that producers had to put money into the Tony Awards to get a number in the show (or - maybe the non-Best Musical shows only?).

Still, I don't mind forward promotion either but not at the expense of the other running (or closed shows from this season). I liken the Tony Awards to a video yearbook of the past season. I may be stupid and naive, but theater is so transient and this gives you something to look at years later and remember...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Well I'd rather see Hudson than Jordan, that casting is so off.

[WayTooBroadway]

If the producers of Janis Joplin and Bridges didn't want to shell out the money for a song to be performed, and Harvey Weinstein and Sting were willing, then so be it.

I also wish Bridges were performing BUT...

[thespian geek]

KICKSTARTER TIME!!!

That's how this works, right?

[PalJoey]

I liken the Tony Awards to a video yearbook of the past season.

You mean, like they USED to be.

Nowadays,you should liken them to a 3-hour commercial for Broadway, because that's what CBS and the producers liken them to.

[pinoyidol2006]

It's not really taking any show's spot. The producers of Bridges aren't paying, and the producers of Finding Neverland are. It's another issue if the Tonys refused Bridges to get Finding Neverland on.

[KathyNYC2]

Bridges couldn't even afford to stay open... How are they going to afford to to be on the Tony's. It's not cheap..

I wish it was Jeremy Jordon over Jennifer Hudson. I would prefer to see someone actually involved or possibly involved in the production if/when it gets to NY...not someone who has no relation to the product at all...no matter what my feelings are pro/con.

[Steve721]

"Bridges couldn't even afford to stay open... How are they going to afford to to be on the Tony's. It's not cheap. ."

Well, the Leap of Faith producers somehow found the money. Of course, unfair though it may be--and IMHO it's monumentally unfair--Leap of Faith was nominated for best musical (and nothing else), while Bridges isn't.

[Steve721]

Of course, the other thing about Bridges is that it wouldn't really be necessary to transfer the Bridges set to Radio City--Kelli could just sing the opening number (To Build a Home) on a bare stage.

[haterobics]

Well, if Bridges were open, they might have to spend extra money to replicate some of the set for Radio City. In this case, the actual set is available.

[Playbilly]

As much as I'd like to see a number from Bridges, I don't mind them doing a number coming to Broadway -- it's a chance to watch something new, with a future. Just doing a SONG from a show, I'm less enthusiastic. Especially if it's not from someone who might be in the show. But, it's a business. A producer has to promote. Let's all be glad Lea in't doing ANOTHER "Funny Girl" number.

[SFFrontRow]

PalJoey - I still think the Tony Awards show does a decent enough job of providing a glimpse of what was going on in that season. If you look at some of the older Tony broadcasts, they are still pretty much the same just alot more polished production values.

Most years recently, there were barely enough good musicals to fill the category. This year there seemed to be more volume of musicals eligible for the category and still playing (albeit maybe not for long).

And it seems, in this day and age of youtube and video clips on websites, you can see numbers from just about anything and if you have the software, you can download them and make your own "yearbook".

BTW - has everybody seen the youtube "channel" put together by some guy that has the Tony Awards shows in their entirety going back to 1970 something? What a cool blast from the past...

[rjm516]

Oh man they really should have done a kickstarter for Bridges to perform, lol.