Well they got it because someone physically handed the award to the producers of the show. That's how anyone who wins a Tony gets one. They don't pop up as if it were magic.
And, eaticcream, the answer to your question of why they got the tony? Answer is simple, because you touch yourself at night
Having or nor having talent does not mean you will or won't have success.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I'm REALLY not a fan of Jersey Boys, but I understand why it won. It's a big show that's been incredibly successful. The Drowsy Chaperone is interesting and all, but it has serious problems. It has a super creative idea, but I really hated the direction. It wasn't as visually interesting as it could've been.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Des is not a terrible director. His original production of Big River was exquisite as was Tommy. Sure, he's had a couple dogs but no one strikes gold every time out. JB is a beautifully constructed show expertly realized.
It won because it was the best new musical in 2006. I agree with Wilmington. The book is extremely well written. I saw the show in previews in La Jolla and then again a year later on Broadway. If there were changes made between the two efforts, I didn't notice them at all. It was simply right from the very beginning. True, it does not have an original score but it certainly raised the bar on jukebox musicals.
I agree about summer break but then again a lot of new names the past couple of weeks. My money is they are all one or two posters who have offended with other names and looking to stir things up.
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
I remember seeing Jersey Boys right after it first opened. It hadn't won the Tony yet and I remember thinking how it was an extremely enjoyable show and for a "jukebox musical", it actually was structured better as a book musical than others had been prior. It felt a little more satisfying artistically than say, All Shook Up or Good Vibrations.
However, I do feel The Drowsy Chaperone deserved to win and while some were predicting Jersey Boys to pull it off, I was actually surprised (maybe a little bit of wishful thinking) that Drowsy Chaperone lost.
I can't say I hate Jersey Boys and if I anything, I will often defend it is a very solid, even good musical in its own right and for being the gold standard of the jukebox genre....despite that, it shouldn't have won over Drowsy, but it did.
Jersey Boys is a great show. I saw it 3 times and I wasn't even a fan of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons before I saw it, but I am now. The movie didn't do it justice.
"Des is a terrible director." NO. As someone who has history w the fellow, I always give the devil his due.( i remember Urbania) Des is good at ( always was) at BIG- size is definitely his forte. He can fill a stage well. Small, subtle, intimate, emotionally fraught. Nuh uh. just not in his ballpark (geddit?)
I don't have an opinion on the show because I haven't seen it, but the score is very spirited.
And in addition to everything said above, many people my age (61) can still remember where we were the first time we heard that sound from a nearby car radio and thought, "Wow! That's cool!"
I saw the original Broadway casts for both shows and there's no denying that while The Drowsy Chaperone was funny and clever, the atmosphere at Jersey Boys was electric. I've rarely experienced something like it. The performances were fantastic and the show was just really well put together.
Jersey felt like something special while Drowsy felt like an amusing trifle. At least to me.
No idea what shape the show is in now, but it's obviously still doing well.
If you go back and watch the 2006 Tony Predictions episode of Theater Talk, Michael Riedel stated that he didn't feel that The Drowsy Chaperone had a lot of support within the industry. On Theater Talk, Riedel predicted Jersey Boys would win, but in his column, he predicted The Drowsy Chaperone.
Because business on Broadway had been struggling for so long, it apparently used to have been a trend to vote for the big commercial juggernaut over the more ambitious work for Best Musical. Such as La Cage aux Folles winning over Sunday in the Park with George, The Phantom of the Opera winning over Into the Woods, Crazy for You winning over Falsettos, The Lion King winning over Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie winning over Urinetown, Spamalot winning over The Light in the Piazzia, In the Hieghts winning over Passing Strange, Memphis winning over Fela!, etc.
But nowadays since business on Broadway has improved, the more ambitious works are winning over the big commercial juggernauts such as Once winning over Newsies, Gentleman's Guide winning over Beautiful, and Fun Home winning over An American in Paris.