Hmm always thought chairs were considered set and not props. I have to disagree. Interlinking chairs, some planks, and some fabric, that created a train, courtroom, shadow puppet show, a solitary confinement box, all while still being simple enough to keep with the semicircle/ minimal look that goes along with minstrelsy. I think it was not only an amazing set, but showed tons of ingenuity on behalf of the designer. Anybody can put together a flashy set if you throw enough money at them. This was down to bare bones, and the actual genius showed thru. IMO
Somehow they have managed to turn the Best Actor contest into an incredibly boring category. I half-expected another snub for Tveit even though I thought he deserved the nod more than Butz, but to snub Radcliffe AGAIN? I seriously do not get the Rannells love for Mormon.
And what the heck is with the nods for Women on the Verge? Benanti was a given, but this upsurge of support for LuPone and the nomination for score is obscene.
Interlinking chairs, some planks, and some fabric, that created a train, courtroom, shadow puppet show, a solitary confinement box, all while still being simple enough to keep with the semicircle/ minimal look that goes along with minstrelsy. I think it was not only an amazing set, but showed tons of ingenuity on behalf of the designer.
Except the designer didn't design a confinement box, a train, a courtroom, and a shadow puppet show. Stroman created those things OUT OF the chairs. The set designer created the chairs (which were probably purchased, not made) and basically nothing else. You are so focused on the concept that you can't separate the actual design from the direction.
I can't remember a year that so many previous winners have been nominated in the same year:
Brian Bedford Al Pacino Mark Rylance Vanessa Redgrave Billy Crudup Norbert Leo Butz Sutton Foster Beth Leavel Donna Murphy Laura Benanti Victoria Clark Patti LuPone
Edited to add Joel Grey (for Best Director)
Updated On: 5/3/11 at 12:54 PM
Patti Lupone should not have been nominated. She is fantastic but that show was dreadful, her part was awful, and she did NOTHING with it. She should not be nominated over Laura Osnes or anyone else.
Scottsboro Boys was a great show, but not that great. I think the Tony committee was punishing all the other bad shows out now by nominated SB for everything. Scenic Design, REALLY!?! There was no set. It was all Stroman's direction. Sound, really!?!? It was about as bare a sound production can be.
^ As it should be. Crap with glitter thrown on it.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Actually, Bwaydreamer, Patti had the best song in the show, and worked wonders with it. It was the one moment I really thought was mesmerizing in a show I truly did not care for.
i knew that wonderland wouldnt get nominated really, but im very suprised it wasnt nominated for best lighting design
"(in a sweedish accent) Oh! What a lovely T-shirt you are wearing!"- Catherine Zeta-Jones refering to my ALNM shirt at the CD signing.
Say NO to drugs and YES to Jackie Hoffman Live At Joes Pub!
"ITS THE DAY OF THE SHOW YA'LL!!"-Bwaynerd
Laura Osnes got great reviews and did a great job with a usually thankless role, kudos to her. But listen to Patti sing "Invisible" and you'll understand the nomination.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
I read this in a recent interview with Alice Ripley and she mentioned LuPone's performance in WOTV. I know her opinions are irrelevant when it comes to the Tonys but I figured I would share.
[Interviewer:“Can you recall a theatrical experience or someone else's performance which stands out as a 'Yes, this is what theatre is!' moment that inspired you?”
Alice Ripley: Bernadette Peters in concert, or Patti LuPone singing 'Invisible' in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.]
PRISCILLA got mixed reviews, and was slightly edged out by CATCH ME in the end, mostly due to the names behind CATCH ME.
PRICILLA is a fun show, but lacks substance. It got nominations where it should have (Costumes, Sheldon, etc.). Even MAMMA MIA has a better Book then PRICILLA.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Also, interesting to note that Tveit & Radcliffe were both snubbed in 2009 for their critical praised performances.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
A little kudos to BWW, btw, as I always enjoy reading the little "how I found out" anecdotes from the nominees. And I had no idea Bobby Cannavale and Sutton Foster were dating. Where have I been?
1. Glad Joshua Henry, the score, the book, and the musical were nominated for Scottsboro Boys, but I didn't expect 12 nominations.
2. I didn't expect the Tveit snub. It's sad that he was snubbed for Next to Normal and now Catch Me.
3. Sherie Renee Scott should have been nominated.
For those who thought NEXT TO NORMAL wouldn't have a life outside Broadway, well it's now playing in 4 cities, 9 different countries and has been translated into 6 languages.
Patti deserved that nomination. She went from hilarious to breaking your heart in "Invisible".
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
I'm angry they snubbed 80 something acting legend Estelle Parsons for Joanna Lumley.
I'm really not that surprised. Parsons is fine in what basically amounts to a scenery-chewing role, but it wasn't really anything more than Parson doing her Parsons thing. Loved her in it, but I didn't see anything unique or challenging going on. She plays a two-dimensional character doing the same schtick over and over in every scene. I honestly would have expected nominations for Goldsberry or Baker over Parsons for that play.
I am disappointed Women on the Verge wasn't nominated for orchestrations. And I think it deserved a Best Musical nom over Sister Act or Catch Me, but I knew it wouldn't happen. I can't wait to see how Featured Actress in a Musical turns out. I'd be happy for Benanti, LuPone or James. I think they are all deserving, but I'm rooting for Benanti. I think it was the standout and surprise performance of the season.
And Was Patti Lupones role worth a nomination? I dont know much about Verge.
Absolutely. It was a substantial role with depth and range. She nailed it.
Except for the inclusion of that awful Verge score, I think these nominations are just right.
Since the score one of the best of the season, then its inclusion shouldn't bother you so much.
Hope Gad wins for Mormon. He delivers a performance that will be tough to replace.
She is fantastic but that show was dreadful, her part was awful, and she did NOTHING with it.
I would agree with all of that if I didn't feel completely opposite. It wasn't, it wasn't and the hell she didn't.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian