Rant about the Tony nominations here- Page 4

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:29am

It was a very bad year for new musicals.

Except for Christopher Walken's nod (which he should rightfully lose to Liev Schreiber), I think the home viewer will be quite bored.

Expect low broadcast ratings.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:31am

I am very saddned at the lack of Love for SOS. It was such a wonderful evening of theatre. I know I am going to get shot for this but.....Vanessa should have gotten it over Old Babs( as much as I loved her) I think it was another "she a legend and has not been on broadway in decades" ehh...lack luster nominations

I agree about the shrek thing!!!

Also WTF Everyday Rapture Getting snubbed too?!?!?!?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:32am

I would rather have a good "unoriginal" (in terms of book and score) musical than a second rate "original" musical any day.

I third that. A good show is a good show. Its "originality" is almost irrelevant, or should be, when discussing what is the best.

Next to Normal would have won at least eight, I would think: Musical, Direction, Score, Book, Actress, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Orchestrations. Aaron Tveit also would have been nominated. As would Brian d'Arcy James.

~Steven

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:37am

I've never really been bit**y on here before, but American Idiot wasn't frickin' "Kiss Me Kate". I will lose my mind of American Idiot wins Best Musical.

I'm all for Memphis, or Fela

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:39am

It's unfortunate that one of the universal complaints about "The Addams Family" was its lousy score ... and yet that's a category where it actually received recognition. Talk about slim pickings in the Score category!

All in all, I don't see many surprises, although I see some choices (or lack of choices) here that are SURE to choke some of you, based on your individual championing of certain shows and performers.

I still don't see many surprises in all, based on what the majority of you have said and what the critics have said.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:39am

Personally, I think CBS must be elated this morning. This is the starriest lineup of acting nominees in a long time; lots of major movie and TV stars, and they're definitely going to get Green Day to perform on the show.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:41am

Yes, but so many of those star nominations are for plays, a category the Tony Awards now chooses to completely overlook as far as giving it screen time.

Maybe this is the kick in the ass they need to have performances from plays make a comeback.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:47am

Even if they don't actually perform, it's much easier to get those people to present an award if they're nominated for one.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:48am

True but getting people to watch the show, "Performances by Denzel Washington, Jude Law, Christopher Walken..." will draw a lot more people in than just saying they'll be there.

[poochie4]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:52am

Once again I am shocked by the amount of MEMPHIS hatred on this board. It was easily one of the best things I've seen this season and while I'll concede this wasn't a particularly strong season I don't think MEMPHIS deserves the trashing it gets.

I am shocked Sergio was overlooked for Choreography. Even people I know who hated the show loved the dancing. Ashford, really?

I am MOST shocked at the outpouring of love for La Cage in the technical categories. In all honesty I didn't love the show, but I understand the appeal of the cast, especially the fantastic Douglas Hodge. But honestly I've seen regional theatre productions with more inspired set design and lighting design. Orchestrations!?! Especially over the immensely talented Tom Kitt. The arrangements were the best part of AMERICAN IDIOT.

I think the nominators get lost in their love of a show (La Cage) and check the boxes for technical awards when no obvious front runners stand out. Similar to the Oscars.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:56am

Well looks like Michael Riedel's gonna have a field day. Fela's leading the pack and Addams got only two nominations!

[alliez92092]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:57am

Million Dollar Quartet's nominations for Best Musical and Best Book are astounding. I just think it's a terrible show, mostly based on the Book. I don't understand how it got nominated for Best Musical over Everyday Rapture. And I'm very displeased with lack of Tom Kitt. American Idiot's shutout is just ridiculous. What a rotten year for the most part (besides Ragtime and the love that Everyday Rapture did receive).

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:58am

I'm actually pleasantly surprised. With the exception of Mr. Kitt (his orchestrations were my favorite part of AI), I'm glad to see the the shows with obvious touring potential didn't sweep.

Updated On: 5/4/10 at 09:58 AM

[Roscoe]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:59am

For that inane VIBRATOR PLAY to have gotten a Best Play nomination is an indication of just how stupid this whole delicious award thing is.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:00am

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Updated On: 5/4/10 at 10:00 AM

[DrewBill]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:00am

As much as I enjoyed "La Cage" overall, I think the show's nominations for scenic and lighting design were pretty much undeserved -- nothing about how the show looked was particularly memorable. I can think of at least 2-3 other shows that should have been nominated in these categories.

[Marinacat]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:03am

I think it's a stretch to imagine that most non-theater folks will tune in to the Tonys in hopes of seeing Denzel Washington or Jude law for a few moments. Really, there's not much to see if that's the draw for you, and most people are aware of that fact.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:03am

I'll defend "In the Next or the Vibrator Play". It was easily one of the best new plays of the season for me, much better than "Time Stands Still". I think Sarah Ruhl's plays are consistently excellent and unusual, and I'm glad she finally has a Tony nomination.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:04am

Why did La Cage Aux Folles get a nomination for best orchestrations? The 8 piece orchestra sounds like a tin pan. It's a shame they continue to honor these reductions like this.

Ditto their nomination for best set design. What was particularly innovative or effective about that set?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:05am

Roscoe, what would you have nominated instead?

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:06am

Not really sure about Kelsey Grammar getting a nomination.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:17am

Marinacat, add that on to the Entertainment shows not covering the Tonys like they cover the Oscars, Grammys, Globes and Emmys.

[moowithme85]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:19am

I agree CBS will be elated with the number of "stars" nominated. They'll have names to announce to get people interested. Normally, that kind of stunt makes me angry, but if it gets more people to appreciate theatre, even if for just one night, then so be it.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:20am

I'm sure this is a very unpopular opinion, but I really loved Chad Kimball's performance. I was taken aback by his choices at the beginning of the show, but grew to really love the character. Everyone seems to want to bash Memphis, but I thought it was really enjoyable. It's like...when you go to the movies you know you should see Precious but sometimes you just want to see Hot Tub Time Machine. Nothing wrong with entertainment for entertainment's sake. Personally I left the theatre smiling, and I call that a good thing.

Ok, rant done. Yay for Christiane Noll!

[viola13]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 10:20am

Um, Karine Plantadit for best supporting actress in a musical? IMO that's the most random nomination this year.

Count me in as one of the people surprised that Tom Kitt didn't get nominated for orchestrations, and is happy Ragtime wasn't forgotten.