So many posts/ threads expressing one's anger/disappointment at people being robbed of awards and nominations, from Ethel Merman to Laura Benanti to poor Bernadette Peters. It's not that I don't share such sentiments, but how about thinking positive for a change-- like the award wins that made us happy, even ecstatic?
Here are my top 3- I was on a cloud when these awards were announced. I'd be interested in hearing about the favorite moments of others as well.
1- Jerry Herman (La Cage) over Sondheim. That joyful noise you heard was my applause. 2- La Cage aux Folles over Sodden in the Dark with George for best musical. For once they got it right! 3- Julie Harris for best actress in Forty Carats. Ecstacy! If only the Morosco Theatre were still here and still playing Forty Carats! What a wonderful world it would be.
The most recent one that comes to mind, for me, is Jim Norton winning for The Seafarer.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
What Makes Me Happiest Is When People Don't Capitalize Every Word.
To be honest, for me it was Idina Menzel for Wicked. I was the quintessential teenage fangirl at the time and I reacted in typical fangirl fashion. I now think Tonya Pinkins gave a much better performance, but the fangirl in me is still happy for Idina.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
All of the wins for both Hairspray and Spring Awakening. Hairspray got me into theatre and Spring Awakening is my current favourite. They should both still be on Broadway because they are just amazing.
Katie Finneran for Promises, though I didn't get a chance to see her in the show. Usually I can't stand acceptance speeches, but I found that speech so moving, compelling, and heartfelt that I was so elated that she won and had a chance to deliver it. I re-watched it a few months ago, and got misty eyed.
I know I'm in a minority here, but David Hyde Pierce winning for Curtains.
Also, any that Once manages to get this year, i will be thrilled for. I really truly wish that Cristin could win Best Actress, but I know the likelihood of that is not very high at all. But if Steve would manage to win, I'd be thrilled, and also if it manages to take Best Musical.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
Best Play- The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Best Actor- Roger Rees
Rees directed Peter and the Starcatchers, Herringbone and A Man of No Importance, 3 productions I thoroughly enjoyed, and he no longer claims his best actor award in the most recent Playbill bios.
And of course both ladies for Grey Gardens, although that wasn't really a surprise so it wasn't like the kind of "happy" you feel when your underdog wins.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
My best friend and I sit in my living room and scream at the TV every Tony night. I think the noisiest we've ever gotten was Next to Normal's win for Best Score, though we did stand up and clap for Alice Ripley and Ellen Barkin when they won.