Tony


It's my favorite awards show.  Actually it's the only one I really watch from beginning to end. (Even if I was nodding off as the 11 o'clock hour arrived.  That had nothing to do with the show and everything to do with the fact that I'm up before 5 in the morning.  You know I'm tired if I'm falling asleep while Hugh Jackman is on stage.)  To me, it's THE show to watch for it exposes me (and hopefully others) to great theater.  For some it may be their own glimpse into the window of theater.  Hopefully it inspires others.  It always entertains.

Even though I live relatively close to NYC, I rarely get to see a Broadway Show (or even an off Broadway one).  I LOVE theater, but it's expensive.  (Not complaining about the price here; shows are expensive to mount and the experience is worth every penny.)  Finances the way they are around here, I don't even go to some of the excellent regional theater we have.

I know I can get inexpensive tickets, but I full admit that I am a theater snob.  For me part of the experience is to be in the middle of the show.  I want to see every nuance of the performance.  I don't get that from the last row in the balcony.  (Which is how I saw "Spamalot".  It was an excellent show, but I really wanted to see more.  I wanted to feel that I was a part of the whole thing and I just didn't get that from where I was sitting.  Now, "Avenue Q" was a different story.  We were very close to the stage and I came away with an experience that I will never forget.)

Because the Tony exposes so many to theater, there are a couple of things I wish that would return to the show (although realistically I know they never will).

The show used to feature vignettes or brief scenes from the best play nominees.  I know musicals are what draw the crowd, but seeing a "slice" from a "straight play" gives insight into "the other side."  It would also expose people to plays that they might not otherwise ever know.

The other is to bring back during actual air time the awards for some of the technical awards.  Specifically I am thinking of light design, set design and costume design.  There is artistry to all of these. It is an artistry that I don't know if many people appreciate, but perhaps if they could see what's behind the show (behind the scenes?), more would realize that it's not just about the actors on the stage.  There is so much more to theater.  So many hours and hard work goes into a show and imagine what it would be like without those technical aspects. I would love it if examples of the work could be better highlighted...think of all the budding lighting designers, set designers, etc. that could be out there.

I realize that neither will happen.  Just as I realize that the purpose of having large name celebrities sing from upcoming shows (Sting, Jennifer Hudson) brings in a larger audience base.  Which is not a bad thing.  Again, the more people who watch (even if it is just to ogle Hugh Jackman); the more are exposed to the artistry of theater.

Which is why I watch year after year; to see a slice of Broadway that at this point in my life is a bit out of my financial reach.  And when I do have the resources, I'll know what I want to see. 

So thank you American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League for being a bit of theater into the lives of everyone who happens to tune in.  I'll be watching for years to come.  (Especially if Hugh Jackman is the host again!)

Comments

  1. Tony TJune 9, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    Bravo! Chris and I try to get into NYC at least once a year - we did become members of the Papermill Playhouse for the 2013 - 14 season.

    There hasn't been much we wanted to see lately on Broadway. But I did get a note from Telecharge that "It's Only A Play" will be debuting this fall - it has an awesome crew lined up. Nathan Lane / Matthew Broderick, Meghan Malally!! Will definitely want to see that!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have Taken America Back

Image
Back to a time when all men (and women) are not created equal.  Where women's healthcare is determined by men's laws and not by medical professionals. Where education tells only the "winning" side of the story and truth does not matter.  Where banning and burning books is a social event.  Where people who are "different" than those in power can be mocked, shunned and hurt with no real consequences. Where lies are acceptable and integrity is  just a word on a page We have moved into a time where rage is the rage.  Where hate is not just normal, but accepted and even cheered. Where leaders can ask to have their "enemies" killed and no one will bat an eye.  Where it's "funny" to see someone struggle.  Where felony is applauded. Where compassion is not shown and caring for others is looked down upon. We have taken America back to a time of pain and suffering for many.  Back to when the "haves" can have and the have nots don'...
Read more

It's Not About Starbucks (or is it)?

Image
  About a block and a half from my home in a major intersection.  At the southeast corner (which is nearest to me), is an empty building.  Back in 1995 it was a Bank of NY (I remember this because they didn't shovel/de-ice their parking lot well and my husband fell and broke his ankle one Monday morning.  I recall this clearly because we were not yet married and it was the first day of a new job for me.  I had gotten on the bus to work and he was catching a later one; only he never got there.  Instead he ended up laying on the ground until an employee came to open up the bank.  Then he had them call an ambulance AND my mother who took control of the situation until I arrived home that night blissfully unaware of what had happened that day.)  It eventually became a Chase Bank; the second one in my small little town.  It eventually closed.  I'm not sure when but it's been empty for quite a long time.  (I do know that it was open in 20...
Read more

As Is

Image
  Today I want to discuss what I think it is a relatively simple concept, but may be difficult for some, even an attorney who might have once, over a decade ago won a  prestigious award  for young lawyers .  That term is "AS IS." As you may know, I volunteer in a thrift shop.  Everything we sell, from all the donations we receive, is "as is."  The items are not brand new.  They are not perfect.  That doesn't mean they aren't any good or worth something. They are sold "as is."  Buyers should go in knowing that. (After all you are shopping in a thrift shop!)  In some cases, particularly when we are offering higher end products, we will actually write on the price tag, "as is." Such is the case of two designer purses that I purchased from there this summer.  (I'm a purse-aholic!  Don't look in my closet.)  They were reasonably priced (especially when you consider the name brand), but each had an "as is" clearly marked o...
Read more