SpongeBob winning???

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:12pm

I’m curious to know what you guys think about Spongebob winning all these awards over who it’s up against. Do you think Soongebob deserves these wins over the likes of Carousel, Mean Girls, Ny Fair Lady, etc? No hate to Spongebob I just find it interesting!

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:15pm

Anything it wins over this revival of Carousel, it deserves, yes.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:17pm

Brooks0214 said: "I’m curious to know what you guys think about Spongebob winning all these awards over who it’s up against. Do you think Soongebob deserves these wins over the likes of Carousel, Mean Girls, Ny Fair Lady, etc? No hate to Spongebob I just find it interesting! "

 

Do you care what any girls think?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:18pm

Absolutely. I think the general public, and those who can't come see the shows, will never believe that Spongebob is a better musical than Mean Girls or Frozen, but at the end of the day, it is leagues better than both of those. It just is, I don't know how else to explain it. (I say this having seen every show you mentioned above).

 

I won't stop encouraging people to take a chance on the show, as the only thing stopping people is their presumptions - it is a critically acclaimed show, with multiple Best Musical awards, and is genuinely a fantastic show.

 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:21pm

It's a fun show. It won't win Best Musical.

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:34pm

Never been one for awards, so it's always silly when everyone gets so pulled into this stuff. All of the nominees already won, they got their vision (fully realized or not) on a Broadway stage. Beyond that, if you have an opinion on what was the best show or best performance, nominated or not, you're right.

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:43pm

Cant tell if this is sarcasm or not but where i’m from everyone says ‘guys’ and it is a mention of everyone not just males

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:44pm

Do you think it’s a better musical than Frozen and Mean Girls?

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:45pm

Brooks0214 said: "Do you think it’s a better musical than Frozen and Mean Girls?"

Those are both pretty direct adaptations of existing movies, so I'm thinking a lot of people were voting to reward original content (even though SpongeBob was a known property going in).

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:48pm

I see that. I saw frozen and mean girls a few months ago and loved both very much. Frozen might be in my top five favorite shows i’ve seen. And Mean girls is obviously hilarious and fantastic all around

[JennH]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 12:56pm

GeorgeandDot said: "It's a fun show. It won't win Best Musical."

Never say never...I think we all know we've been shocked before, and considering it's wins thus far, it could very well win Best Musical Tony. I honestly think it'll be Spongebob or Band's Visit. I just hope BV will win to continue the circular movement that's going back to more original material and lesser known adaptations. I don't mind adaptations in the least, but the Brand Battle this year is just proving to be less than great, with one exception. Everything in life is circular and I can only hope that circle back to creative art to some decent degree continues. 

Updated On: 6/4/18 at 12:56 PM

[MyLife]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 1:25pm

Brooks0214 said: "I see that. I saw frozen and mean girls a few months ago and loved both very much. Frozen might be in my top five favorite shows i’ve seen. And Mean girls is obviously hilarious and fantastic all around"

Yikes. I'm curious, what other shows are in that top 5? And what's the denominator?

 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 1:35pm

JennH said: "I just hope BV will win to continue the circular movement that's going back to more original material and lesser known adaptations."

I wholeheartedly agree that Band's Visit will and should win Best Musical, however it's just as much an adaptation (and just as non-original of material) as any of the other nominees.  Lesser know, yes, but it's still a stage adaptation of a movie.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 1:43pm

I think SpongeBob is leaps and bounds above Frozen in terms of creativity, vision, and performance. I found myself cringing through most of Frozen, which is a shame because I enjoyed the movie. I did have a really fun night at Mean Girls, and certainly think it’s worth seeing for most people (depending on demo, really), but I don’t know that I think it’s particularly award-worthy from an artistic standpoint... at least in a more typical season where there are several worthy contenders. But I did love it, and keep getting the songs stuck in my head.

Either way, if Band’s Visit doesn’t win Best Musical at the Tonys, I’ll eat my hat.

As a musician who is usually drawn way more to musicals, I have to say that with a couple of exceptions... it was the plays this year that I really can’t stop thinking about.

Updated On: 6/4/18 at 01:43 PM

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 1:46pm

The set design and lighting were amazing as was Slater.  The audience members within seven rows of me definitely impacted my view of the whole experience.  It was difficult to get into the moment with adults talking, kids jumping up and down and yelling to their parents, multiple bathroom breaks, babies screaming. Why anyone would bring a one year old is beyond me. Even the 6 yr olds got bored within 20 minutes. For awhile I had wished Scott Rudin was running the show with a "do not admit" once you leave the theater.

I get that it's a kid show. Been to a lot in Disneyworld.  But there's only so much stimulus the senses can take so it was hard to concentrate on the performance with all the audience activity.  

I wish the producers/director could've created an adult version for late night viewing much like Rocky Horror.   I agree with the NYTimes critic who said smoking a joint is the best way to tolerate S/Bob. I didn't have that opportunity.

My biggest gripe about Mean Girls was with the theater tight seats and multiple staircases. The show was classic camp.

As for which should win, don't know. I guess it's a toss up. Mean Girls crosses more generations than S/Bob.  I consider this year "not much to pick from."  Wouldn't it be a hoot if the Band's Visit won.  They sure have enough advertising all over the theater district.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 1:54pm

Why would it be a "hoot"?  Many think it's the best new musical.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 2:35pm

I just hope BV will win to continue the circular movement that's going back to more original material and lesser known adaptations.

Being either original or an adaptation (lesser known or otherwise) really shouldn't factor in to the voting when it comes to the book.  Neither is indicative of quality.  Shows like Glory Days, The Story of My Life, The People in the Picture and In My Life are perfect examples of how simply having original material doesn't guarantee bonus points or participation trophies.  Personally, I think the book to Spongebob is as overstuffed and messy as the staging and the score.  

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 2:48pm

I just had a great experience at Frozen and just enjoyed myself there very much and I’m glad it’s doing well with selling tickets. But other shows that I won’t ever forget are Wicked, Waitress, Kinky Boots, and Dear Even Hansen. I’m going to NY in july and i’m seeing 7 shows (two of which i’ve seen) What are some of yours ?

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 2:50pm

I've often said to folks that Band's Visit could be the best musical pick. Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 2:52pm

I just heard from an individual who works at the S/Bob theater that Nickelodeon is pulling its money from the production and they expect the show to close post Tonys. And even if it doesn't close, the theater will undergo major renovations so the show will have to move anyway.  Anyone else hear that?

 

[The_Spielers_2017]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 2:54pm

I think this is just a tribute to how bizarre this season has been. The only sure bet (I feel) is that Frozen won't win. SpongeBob has won the precursor awards, but hasn't really lit up at the box office. A Best Musical win would certainly change that, and I feel road producers would be more wanting to tour it with that title.
Mean Girls has been the highest grossing new musical by far. I don't think it'll win, but its numbers are certainly a factor.
And then there's The Bands Visit. Artistically, it's in a league of its own this season. But it is far and away from a complete box office success. The early bump it had was largely bolstered by scalpers, hungry for the next Hansen or Hamilton, and when the demand wasn't there, you could find prime seats on StubHub for less than half of its original price. I know, I know, critical successes have over taken commercial ones in the past, but usually those critical successes were selling better ("Fun Home") or more broadly appealing ("Gentleman's Guide"). Don't get me wrong, this show deserves Best Musical. I just don't know if it can make it to the finish line...
The biggest indicator come Tony night will be the creative and performance awards. I'd say it's a safe bet to say The Band's Visit is a solid bet for Best Score and Best Leading Actress. But if Ambrose or Kilgore overtake Lenk, or SpongeBob or MeanGirls take Score.we're in for an interesting night. Similarly, if Band's Visit takes Best Book, the voters have gone with their artistic gut and it's almost certain to win.
I know this year hasn't had the most exciting shows, but damn is this race not exciting!

[Sauja]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 2:55pm

There seems to be a consensus among people who actually saw SpongeBob that it is brilliantly designed, that Slater is wonderful, and that it’s far better than it has any right to be. If The Bans Visit hadn’t transferred this year, I would predict it for the Best Musical Tony. As is? It doesn’t stand a chance. But some of the design awards and Slater? I think those are very much in play.

[JayElle]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 3:47pm

From the folks who work the S/Bob theater, apparently it was intended to draw adults.  Sorry, but I maintain my position.  The total chaos in the audience in the multiple rows behind and in front of  me made for a miserable experience for me, tho I thought the show amazing visually.

 I noticed the more expensive seats had a more attentive audience.  Anyone who deals with kids knows that children under 7 have limited attention spans, so a 2 hour show is tough, especially if they're sitting way back in the orchestra or in the balcony.  It's unfortunate that it's losing box office. It's beautiful to see.  I guess they can split the vote, e.g., votes to MeanG and S/Bob cause B/Visit to win.  We'll know in a few days.

[singerunlimited]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 4:37pm

I wanted to enjoy SPONGEBOB so much more than I did. After everything I'd read on here, I really thought I would be surprised. Unfortunately, I just didn't get it. Aside from the performances and the scenic design, I didn't understand all of the raves. I didn't like the material one bit. I certainly appreciate the performances and the amazing scenic work!

My experiences echoes some of the others reflected here. The audience was truly the worst I've ever experienced in my 20-plus years of theatergoing. Absolutely horrific behavior from both children and adults. The audiences at FROZEN are equally atrocious.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/4/18 at 6:26pm

JayElle, The Band's Visit isn't winning because of a vote split, it's winning because it's the best new musical. Most adults that I speak to hated SpongeBob and many left at intermission. They didn't see the cartoons and they don't get it. Mean Girls is not a very good musical. It has a couple highlights, but there's little that actually works. Frozen downright sucks. Mean Girls and SpongeBob and Frozen aren't even in the running.

The Band's Visit will win in a landslide with 0 real competition.

Updated On: 6/4/18 at 06:26 PM