A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
So will non-nominated shows only perform is the ATW can justify it? I'm glad RENT and THE LION KING get some airtime, but LION KING? Really? Like it needs the publicity? Of course I can understand WHY Disney and the ATW would want this show publicized, but it's a shame that new shows won't get a chance to get that spotlight. Hell, let's even switch out THE LITTLE MERMAID for THE LION KING.
How about giving A CATERED AFFAIR a performance? If it is true that CRY-BABY only beat it for a nod by one vote, this is a show that was cheated that can use some publicity.
Whatever. I could go on but I know how it all works and I need to stop dreaming.
"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
Unfortunately, they're not choosing based on what need publicity. They're choosing based on what will make a higher-rated Tony performance (commercial $$$), and what will increase Broadway sales in general. A Catered Affair won't do that.
The only thing I'm weary about is the Original Cast of RENT performing. I have a feeling Camera Closeup would not be kind to most of them, especially if they're trying to play "young."
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
"This is a celebration of two shows that have been Broadway Smash hits!"
BWAHAHAHAHA!! THIS is an EXCUSE to have two extremely popular musicals perform on the telecast to try and bring in more ratings, disguised as "a celebration of two shows that have been Broadway Smash hits!"
"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 agree with LJay. Do we really need another annoying performance of "Seasons of Love" where every tween starts weeping about how tragic the closing of RENT is? No, thanks. Ugh, awful news.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Well isn't THE LION KING celebrating 10 years on Broadway. And RENT is closing after being a stepping stone to some of broadway's current crop of shows.
In an interview on LOGO TV... Lin-Manuel states that the first show he saw on Broadway was RENT and it was the base of why he did what he did for IN THE HEIGHTS.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
If they should do Phantom, I hope it is better than what they did at the 2006 awards. I was there with a good friend and when it was over we just looked at each other and said "what was that?"
And you know the cast of RENT is going to do Seasons of Love.