Is THE BAND’S VISIT getting the Tony for Best Musical?

[BroadwayRox3588]

BroadwayConcierge said: "SpongeBob is great theatrically, but devoid of a substantive plot (and has a very disjointed score)."

Huh? While I do agree that The Band's Visit is a near sure bet for Best Musical, we must've been watching two completely different shows.

[Oak2]

Haven't there been several years where when a big popular commercial thing was up against an "intellectual" musical, they gave best book and score to the "intellectual" show but best musical time the commercial? That's what I'm hoping for anyway. Anything that causes people to defend it by resorting to "if you didn't like it you're just stupid", as done in this thread, is elitist trash. And elitism is pure evil that must be destroyed. Broadway for the masses forever!

[GeorgeandDot]

Yes because broadway needs more crap for the masses....

How about rewarding the artists who put hard work into creating new, interesting works? Is it elitism because I would rather see theatre producers and artists like David Yazbeck and Itamar Moses win over Disney or Universal or Nickelodeon? I like to see REAL theatrical artists win who are actually trying to tell stories and aren't as concerned about just creating commercial cash cows, regardless of quality. I mean it's clear that Disney isn't concerned about quality. Since The Lion King, everything they've done has just been a cheap regurgitation of the film. They're not even trying. They know people will show up no matter how uninspired and tired the show is because the property is famous. I hate to see sh*t like that win.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I don't think the people behind The Band's Visit intended the show to not be for the general public either. It's not like they got together and said "let's make an elitist musical that only appeals to self-identified 'intellectuals'." So there's no need to root against it because you find it to not be theatre for the masses. Arguably, any show that makes it to Broadway is HOPING and dreaming that it is a hit with the masses. It is a commercial venture after all and putting on a show ain't cheap no matter if it's cheaper than other shows that provide more spectacle. 

[ChildofEarth]

I think it’s hilarious how those who don’t like TBV are labeled as “stupid,” or “shallow,” or “you just didn’t get it!”

I got it even though I had a very long blink toward the latter half. It’s not that hard to “get.” Art is subjective and just because someone doesn’t agree with you on something subjective, that doesn’t make them wrong.

[GeorgeandDot]

I agree with you ChildofEarth, but I'm speaking of some very specific criticisms that I've heard about the show. It's fair to say that you understand it and just didn't enjoy it, but most of the criticisms that I'm hearing are about how the show is just boring or that nothing happens. I think this is a BS reason to not like the show. The show is not any more boring than any of the plays on Broadway and tons of things happen. The characters reveal a lot about themselves and they work through lots of high emotions. You not liking the show is not on the show. It's on you. You chose to shut down and shut the show out because those of us that engaged with the show and watched it, loved it. I'm also not saying that the people who don't like it are stupid or shallow, I'm just saying that modern musical theatre audiences have a tendency to shut their brains off before a show. For some shows you can do that and for others you can't. There's a tendency to just lounge in your chair and let it wash over you and then you act like it's an inconvenience when it doesn't do so. You paid the money to see a show. Sit up and watch it.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Yes THE BAND'S VISIT will win Best Musical.

I also think Arden will get Best Director. Cromer's work is exceptional but so subtle it almost disappears.

And remember last year DEAR EVAN HANSEN did not get Best Director.

THE BAND'S VISIT also deserves Best Score and Best Book.

And it just might take Best Actor, Actress and Featured Actor.

I think the design Awards will be divided among other shows.

[Oak2]

[dramamama611]

Oak - you sound just as elitist as the ONE poster you are "attacking".   

 

Of course there is nothing wrong with fun, commerical works.  But that doesn't mean they are worthy of awards.  

 

 

[Oak2]

Dramamama - you are right.  I did over-react and I apologize for that. I've deleted the original autistic outburst, and I apologize to GeorgeAndDot for it possibly being too personal. It just really makes me furious when I see statements that imply that certain works are inherently superior and anyone who dislikes them are intellectually inferior. As stated, I've known too many other people who have personally just dismissed me as the r-word just because I didn't like certain shows, and it's perhaps left a grudge.

 I personally disagree that fun, commercial works aren't worthy of awards. I consider both types of shows worthy. The ultimate goal is enjoyment, so the show that creates the most enjoyment deserves the award. Of course, that's just my opinion.

[Thelastven]

I so wanted to love The Band’s Visit but I was underwhelmed. I like a little more music in my musicals. I wish I hadn’t heard so much buzz prior to seeing it.

I had no expectations for Spongebob and wound up having an enjoyable time.

I’d probably still vote for TBV just because I’d have a hard time giving it to the Sponge but I won’t be completely shocked if there’s an upset.

My two cents ...

It’s such a shame after the bountiful season of 2017. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

BroadwayRox3588 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "SpongeBob is great theatrically, but devoid of a substantive plot (and has a very disjointed score)."

Huh? While I do agree thatThe Band's Visitis a near sure bet for Best Musical, we must've been watching two completely different shows."

Do you disagree that SpongeBob has a thin plot and a disjointed score? Don't get me wrong, I loved SpongeBob and thought it was fabulous fun. But the plot is pretty predictable (and most of the show is just character vignettes rather than plot development), and the score, while filled with individually excellent songs, sounds very disjointed during a single sit-down evening of theatre—at least I thought it was very clear that 40 different people wrote each song. Again, a truly fun show and theatrically imaginative, but in terms of a cohesive, substantive musical, I think it is lacking. 

[Alessio2]

CedricOates said: "BroadwayLuv2 said: "I actually found the bands visit to be extremely boring. Would love it if one of the other nominees won. Probably won't happen unfortunately."

I do have to admit there was one minute mid show that my eyes were getting heavy."

Glad I wasn't the only one who felt this way...I was so bored during this show.  I even saw a couple of people walk out.

[Alessio2]

Robbie2 said: "Yes and it has been the favorite since the start of the new season. Those calling TBV boring are the same people that called ONCE boring! I LOVED both!"

I actually loved Once, but could not stand TBV...I don't need flash and spectacle, I have seen plenty of small intimate musicals that I have enjoyed very much, sadly TBV wasn't one of them

[dramamama611]

Oak2 said: "I personally disagree that fun, commercial works aren't worthy of awards. I consider both types of shows worthy. The ultimate goal is enjoyment, so the show that creates the most enjoyment deserves the award. Of course, that's just my opinion."

 

But I didn't say they WEREN'T ever worthy -- just that being commercial and fun doesnt  mean an award is warranted.   Sometimes it IS.   You can have both commercial and excellence, just like you can have artistic without excellence.   I just don't feel like THESE particular commercial shows have both.

 

[Oak2]

Ah, ok. That's fair. I still disagree personally on this respect only because I think Spongebob is good enough to warrant awards, and may possibly trigger that split that's happened before. I can see how some might think otherwise though.

[theaterdude2]

"What it lacks in flash and spectacle it more than makes up for in sophistication, cultural diversity and emotional resonance"

I completely agree, THE BAND'S VISIT is anything but boring. I also agree that it seems  that lately all audiences care about is throwing them a lot of lights, colour and songs they can sing along too. 

That said, ONCE was not only boring but one of the most overrated musicals I've ever seen. Couldn't wait for it to end. 

But this is about The Band's Visit, and I am rooting for it. 

[CedricOates]

The vibe I got, which I enjoyed 90% of the time, was that it felt like a play with music, as opposed to a “musical”

[poisonivy2]

It'll win but not because it's great. It'll win because this has been an incredibly weak year for new musicals. It wouldn't have stood a shot against Hamilton/DEH/Fun Home.

[BroadwayConcierge]

poisonivy2 said: "It'll win but not because it's great. It'll win because this has been an incredibly weak year for new musicals. It wouldn't have stood a shot against Hamilton/DEH/Fun Home."

Um, exactly? All three of those shows were in different years. If it was a race between the four shows you're talking about, only one would have won. Lol.

[poisonivy2]

No I'm saying had it been nominated in 2016 against Hamilton it would have lost easily to Hamilton. In 2015 it would have lost to Fun Home. In 2017 to DEH. It's only "great" because this year the new musicals are so meh. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

poisonivy2 said: "No I'm saying had it been nominated in 2016 against Hamilton it would have lost easily to Hamilton. In 2015 it would have lost to Fun Home. In 2017 to DEH. It's only "great" because this year the new musicals are so meh."

I think it could've definitely had a shot against Dear Evan Hansen and Fun Home.

[poisonivy2]

BroadwayConcierge said: "poisonivy2 said: "No I'm saying had it been nominated in 2016 against Hamilton it would have lost easily to Hamilton. In 2015 it would have lost to Fun Home. In 2017 to DEH. It's only "great" because this year the new musicals are so meh."

I think it could've definitely had a shot against Dear Evan HansenandFun Home."

No way. Both Fun Home and DEH packed an emotional wallop the way TBV just didn't. I liked David Yazbeck's score and Katrina Lenk and I enjoyed some of the humor but it was just a pleasant way to spend an evening and nothing more. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

poisonivy2 said: "No way. Both Fun Home and DEH packed an emotional wallop the way TBV just didn't. I liked David Yazbeck's score andKatrina Lenk and I enjoyed some of the humor but it was just a pleasant way to spend an evening and nothing more."

Ah, the beautiful subjectivity of art The Band's Visit packed more of an emotional wallop for me than DEH and Fun Home. I think it's a far superior work than the latter two—but we're disagreeing over meaningless hypotheticals!

[BroadwayRox3588]

BroadwayConcierge said: "BroadwayRox3588 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "SpongeBob is great theatrically, but devoid of a substantive plot (and has a very disjointed score)."

Huh? While I do agree thatThe Band's Visitis a near sure bet for Best Musical, we must've been watching two completely different shows."

Do you disagree thatSpongeBobhas a thin plot and a disjointed score? Don't get me wrong, I lovedSpongeBoband thought it was fabulousfun. But the plot is pretty predictable (and most of the show is just character vignettes rather than plot development), and the score, while filled with individually excellent songs, sounds very disjointed during a single sit-down evening of theatre—at least I thought it was very clear that 40 different people wrote each song. Again, a truly fun show and theatrically imaginative, but in terms of a cohesive, substantive musical, I think it is lacking."

First of all, I apologize for my snippy way of voicing my disagreement.

I disagree in the sense that I not only had fun at SpongeBob, I felt fully engaged in the story for the entire time, and found multiple characters very relatable (namely Sandy and Squidward). I didn't have any issues with the plot of the show, because it allowed me to feel emotionally connected to multiple characters I have loved since I was very young. That was one of my favorite things about the show. In terms of the score, if you're saying that it is, for lack of a better term, a bit busy, then that I can fully understand. I personally enjoy it, but I understand where you're coming from. I have wanted The Band's Visit to win Best Score all season, and that has not changed.

And all this is to take nothing away from The Band's Visit or any other show. I think another thing worth noting here is that to compare The Band's Visit and SpongeBob is like comparing apples and oranges. Each is a wonderful show that offers very different things to very different audiences. I'm very happy both exist on Broadway right now, and which ever one wins Best Musical (it will be The Band's Visit) is very deserving of the honor.