Seth Rudetsky deserves a special Tony Award

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 6:15pm

Anyone else agree? He does so much for the Broadway community and is just an amazing person overall. It's criminal he isn't more highly valued in the industry.  Perhaps down the road he will be given one. He sure deserves it. 

Updated On: 6/20/15 at 06:15 PM

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 6:19pm

I couldn't agree more. He is more deserving than anybody! I really, really hope it happens someday. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 6:20pm

Why?

 

While he has done some nice things, and I do enjoy his radio show, I don't think anything he has done would merit a special Tony. 

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 6:29pm

"While he has done some nice things, and I do enjoy his radio show, I don't think anything he has done would merit a special Tony. "

 Well he does a lot to spread enthusiasm for Broadway, number one. He has his radio shows, and his videos on youtube, and Seth TV or something, and he has written books centered around Broadway. He has played in many Broadway orchestra pits and has accompanied a lot of Broadway's big names in concerts. Also he wrote the opening number for six Broadway Easter Bonnet Competitions and the 1998 and 2000 Tony Awards. 
Also he does a lot of charity work, like he's produced and directed benefits for the gay and lesbian synagogue. His Broadway Chatterbox raises money for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids. He also recently organized a Broadway benefit for a charity that helps foster kids get adopted. 

He's just done quite a lot for Broadway and the community around Broadway. Not to mention he is a walking encyclopedia of musical theatre history. So yes, I'd say he more than deserves a special Tony Award. I love John Cameron Mitchell, but he hasn't done nearly the amount for Broadway that Seth Rudetsky has. 

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 6:31pm

Well, then, we should give a Tony award to advertising firms, too!

Another stupid Bilbo thread.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 6:33pm

RaiseYouUp beat me to it. But yes I would agree. He does so much that goes unseen. I had the pleasure of meeting Seth a few years ago and he is such a warm soul with an abundance of knowledge and he gives so much to the community. No one loves broadway more than him.

Updated On: 6/20/15 at 06:33 PM

[mc1227]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 8:56pm

I think he should get some type of recognition for his charity work and supporting theater and fundraising for many theater companies, but I'm not sure it should be a Tony award.  I've always admired his commitment to theater and his humorous interviews with Broadway stars.  Maybe BWW could start such an award?

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 9:04pm

You remember that The Tony Awards are given by the people who own Broadway shows (The Producers League) to people in Broadway shows so that the producers can make more money thru advertising that they have given out an award, right?

If it were about recognition for greatness in the theater then Tommy Tune would have gotten a lot more air time and more than eight dancers in his embarrassing "tribute".  Likewise that Drama teacher would have gotten to say at which school it is he teaches.

Seth is a clever fellow but he does not make any money for the people who actually hand out The Tony Awards.

Updated On: 6/20/15 at 09:04 PM

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 9:46pm

"Seth is a clever fellow but he does not make any money for the people who actually hand out The Tony Awards."

 I suppose you are right, but that does not mean that he doesn't deserve it, because I believe he certainly does.

[Tag]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 10:02pm

You remember that The Tony Awards are given by the people who own Broadway shows (The Producers League) to people in Broadway shows so that the producers can make more money thru advertising that they have given out an award, right?

If it were about recognition for greatness in the theater then Tommy Tune would have gotten a lot more air time and more than eight dancers in his embarrassing "tribute".  Likewise that Drama teacher would have gotten to say at which school it is he teaches.

Seth is a clever fellow but he does not make any money for the people who actually hand out The Tony Awards.

There's a difference between receiving a Tony Award and the Tony Awards broadcast itself.

Updated On: 6/20/15 at 10:02 PM

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 10:04pm

"There's a difference between received a Tony Award and the Tony Awards broadcast itself."

 Exactly

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 10:22pm

I totally agree. Seth has done so much for the Broadway community and theatre fans all over the country. He would be very deserving of an Honorary Tony Award if not now then in the future as I'm sure he will only continue to grow is Broadway empire

..

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/20/15 at 10:46pm

I do agree with Bilbo that Seth Rudetsky deserves "some" sort of recognition.  He's a constant Broadway cheerleader and proponent (along with Christine Pedi).  I'm not sure that he's a favorite of some Broadway "powers that be."  He does so much to promote shows and works endlessly for any number of charities.  I don't think this is a "stupid thread", by any means.  

[TheBoyFromNC]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:13am

Just adding to his list of accomplishments, he started the Actors Fund benefit concerts on his own - that's had a pretty big impact on the community. I 100% agree that he deserves one.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:15am

Yeah I'm sure he will get one someday.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 11:52am

I actually think it's a wonderful idea for several years down the line. Special Tonys are meant to honor people who contribute to the theatre through non-traditional means.

If the Drama Bookshop can win one, Seth can win one too. And deservedly so.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/21/15 at 3:47pm

Rudetsky's championing reach doesn't really go beyond the theatre community- he preaches to the choir. I don't think he has contributed significantly enough to merit a distinction, as an artist or otherwise.

John Cameron Mitchell received it for an historic and triumphant return performance  that would not otherwise have been recognized by any awards body.

The Drama Book Shop is an enduring and unique institution to the theatre community, made all the more remarkable by print media's dwindling revenue.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 6:32am

If Liza Minnelli and Bette Midler could win Tonys just "for adding lustre to the Broadway season", then yes, Seth Rudetsky deserves a special Tony Award.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 8:10am

I'm a little on the fence here, but I mostly agree with Kad.  In addition to preaching to the choir, he's made himself a nice little brand.  It isn't all selfless - not that there's anything wrong with that.  

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 8:26am

Which season did Seth add luster to?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:26am

NO HE F*CKING DOESN'T!!!!

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:30am

The fact that he regularly brags about how many bootlegs he owns on his radio show should make him persona non grata in the theater community. I love how actors go to Twitter to criticize bootlegs showing up on tumblr but they kiss Seth's ass when he can barely get through a sentence without mentioning his beloved bootleg collection.

[Replacement Cast]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 4:24pm

"NO HE F*CKING DOESN'T!!!!"

 Wow, I've seen some crazy-ass sh*t on this Message Board but a special Tony for Seth Rudetsky?  Uh, the repeat a prior post "NO HE F*CKING DOESN'T!!!!"  And, yes, SR is preaching to the choir.  There is nothing special going on, just a lot of self-serving glorification.  He should spend time learning basic grammar and spelling.  Oh yeah, and people cow-tow to him because he has a few outlets.  Nothing genuine in his methods and what he gets back really isn't genuine either.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 4:27pm

The fact that he regularly brags about how many bootlegs he owns on his radio show should make him persona non grata in the theater community. I love how actors go to Twitter to criticize bootlegs showing up on tumblr but they kiss Seth's ass when he can barely get through a sentence without mentioning his beloved bootleg collection.

Hundreds of of people in the Broadway industry have bootlegs. People on here in the industry brag about finding bootlegs all the time. We're all hypocrites. 

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 4:33pm

Source?