Young Frankenstein-Tonys...What Happened?- Page 2
Young Frankenstein-Tonys...What Happened?
#25re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 12:15am
"CBS would be fools if they didn't let YF and TLM (the 2 bigest box office draws on Broadway) perform on the telecast."
But they won't be on the telecast, will they?
#26re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 12:40amI never saw The Producers on broadway but I saw the movie and I thought it was ok. I saw Young Frankenstein 10 times. I think it's a great musical. It has everything in a musical that you can ask for. I thought it should have got much more nominations than it did. especially best new musical for sure.
#27re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 1:31am
But he DIDN'T write a decent score. Not for "Young Frankenstein", anyway. Again, I'm someone who loved "The Producers", both the production AND the score. I'd agree that THOSE songs sounded like "old-fashioned" showtunes, i.e.- actually had melodies, would follow you home, you'd randomly find yourself humming/singing them, etc. But I can't agree with that statement for the score of "Young Frankenstein", however. The music does nothing, goes nowhere, comes up from the pit and dies.
It's terrible. Again, I give Mr. Brooks a great deal of credit for "The Producers"; it was wonderful! So, you can imagine I was hoping for, if nothing else, an entertaining time at "Young Frankenstein" and at least a handful of catchy, enjoyable songs, but no. It just didn't deliver. He failed with this one. Sorry.
#28re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 1:42am
No, officially, they likely won't perform. Although there have been rumors and gossip considering how CBS is floundering with ratings, and in a quick attempt to pull them up might turn to both shows for a song. And, I don't blame 'em. With YF snubbed, I seriously am not watching for the first time in 7 years.
...And so, there I was at the stage door for "Equus". The enthused avalanche of "Harry Potter" fans was literally pushing me into the barricades. As I was thrust face-first into Daniel Radcliffe's hat, I suddenly felt the thumb of a lanky gentleman behind me pressing firmly into my back. It was then that I realized that both of his hands had Playbills, and that both arms were outstretched in front of me...
Updated On: 5/18/08 at 01:42 AM
#29re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 11:27am
"No, officially, they likely won't perform. Although there have been rumors and gossip considering how CBS is floundering with ratings, and in a quick attempt to pull them up might turn to both shows for a song. And, I don't blame 'em. With YF snubbed, I seriously am not watching for the first time in 7 years."
Ditto, 25 years for me.
#30re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 11:56am
The reason THE PRODUCERS worked and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN doesn't is that the former had a natural musical-comedy link (and Brooks and company ran with it working in sly references to dozens of other shows.) The musical (on stage at least) was fun, briskly paced and hugely entertaining. It also arrived in the middle of a season with one huge disappointment (SEUSSICAL), a boring and pretentious adaptation of a literary classic (JANE EYRE); an off-Broadway musical bio that really did not belong on Broadway (CLASS ACT) and one certified hit with a weak score (FULL MONTY.) Everyone was hungry for a big hit and the show got great reviews and swept the Tony awards (mainly because it had so little competition.)
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN doesn't lend itself to this style of musical comedy treatment and the score, while clever at times, wears out its welcome with needless repetition and a lot of grade school humour. To me, the idea always reeked of a composer trying to duplicate the same formula. It would be like Rodgers and Hammerstein following OKLAHOMA! with a show called CALIFORNIA and recycling the same basic structure. The one thing Broadway's best writers know is never to try and duplicate a previous success.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#31re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 12:05pm
With YF snubbed, I seriously am not watching for the first time in 7 years.
Ok, THIS I do not understand. YF was blasted by the critics and got some of the worst reviews of any new musical this season. No one seriously expected it to be nominated for Best Musical. (Of the 4 nominees, the only surprise for me was CRY BABY over CATERED AFFAIR.) But the fact that one show wasn't nominated seems to me hardly a reason to NOT watch the telecast.
And Rufussars, I'd like to know where you get your information. YF has not been selling well at all. Look online - You can get decent orchestra seats immediately. PRODUCERS had a six-month wait. YF is regularly on discount. It's not setting the box office at the Hilton on fire.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
antz
Chorus Member Joined: 8/9/07
#32re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 12:51pmYF is an ok show. I was mildly entertained, but it really doesn't have a great score. As many on here have said, it's forgettable. The show runs too long for what it is. I do think it should have gotten costume over ITH, but that's about it. As for Roger Bart: I love him, he works hard, but it's not a winning role. I haven't seen South Pacific yet, so I can't speak for Paulo Szotz, but all the other performances (and their respective roles) are much better. I don't think YF was snubbed...it just wasn't one of the best shows this year.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#33re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 1:09pm
Although there have been rumors and gossip considering how CBS is floundering with ratings, and in a quick attempt to pull them up might turn to both shows for a song.
They say that EVERY year, ratings, blah blah blah. We need to see performances from the eight nominated shows and all the categories. The network barely gives the Tonys a chance. It would be VERY hard for them to squeeze in even more performances from shows that were not even nominated.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#33re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 1:09pm
Although there have been rumors and gossip considering how CBS is floundering with ratings, and in a quick attempt to pull them up might turn to both shows for a song.
They say that EVERY year, ratings, blah blah blah. We need to see performances from the eight nominated shows and all the categories. The network barely gives the Tonys a chance. It would be VERY hard for them to squeeze in even more performances from shows that were not even nominated.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#35re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 1:12pmHonestly because it kind of sucked and not many people like it. There are many other shows that are miles better
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#36re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 1:24pm
Are people seriously not watching the Tonys because they actually believe YF was snubbed?
WTF people, it got nominated for 3 times - so because it isn't nominated under Best Book, Score, or Musical is reason not to watch it for the first time in 7 years? 25 years?
People raved about the scenic/set design. YF would have been snubbed if it did not receive a nomination in this category, as well as not receiving a nomination for Christopher Fitzgerald.
It got what it deserved most. Although Cry-Baby was a surprise, YF was not snubbed.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#37re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 3:58pm
I believe Young Frankenstein was snubbed for best score, but hey everyone, it's just my opinion. I happen to think this score is just awesome, I totally love it and my opinion is it should have been nominated... ok maybe not for best musical but certainly for score...but again, that's my opinion. When I listen to some of the music from Cry Baby or Passing Strange, I mean please let's be real. That's exactly where I feel there was a snub. But what will be will be,, and I am disappointed YF won't be on the Tony's, could have been a great number from that.
I'm not saying other shows didn't deserve their spot, if you read my posts I only said I strongly believe this should have been in the best score category. Obviously there are others that think the score was nothing special at all. I am not one of those. For the fan of the old-fashioned showtune, it's great.
#38re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:16pmIf you think YF has a better score than Passing Strange, I think that's more reflective of your personal taste in musical genres than better/worse comparison.
#39re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:20pm
Let me clarify. No, I'll admit the score wasn't brilliant, and perhaps it seemed a bit of an unusual film to musicalize. But CRY-BABY, in my opinion, did NOT possess anything more charming, funnier, or wittier than YF did. Personally, if Harvey's boring ACA had been nominated in these categories than say CB or that barely-classifiable PASSING STRANGE, I would not have nearly the number of qualms I do now. The fact that the nominations went clearly political (no one can deny this) just irritates me. And that is why I'm happy to contribute this year to the growing number of people who'll flip the channel. There's simply nothing to see this year.
...And so, there I was at the stage door for "Equus". The enthused avalanche of "Harry Potter" fans was literally pushing me into the barricades. As I was thrust face-first into Daniel Radcliffe's hat, I suddenly felt the thumb of a lanky gentleman behind me pressing firmly into my back. It was then that I realized that both of his hands had Playbills, and that both arms were outstretched in front of me...
Updated On: 5/18/08 at 04:20 PM
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#40re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:20pmOkay, I understand that you believe YF should have received a best score nomination. But you feeling that the show got "snubbed" in that area is a ridiculous reason to not watch the Tonys.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#41re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:25pmIt isn't necessarily that category. Had there been a nod for Best Musical, Direction, Choreography, or even just book, I'd likely tune in. But, it seems they made an effort to not include Stroman, Brooks, or Meehan in the running, perhaps justifying symapthy for Meehan with that CRY-BABY book nod.
...And so, there I was at the stage door for "Equus". The enthused avalanche of "Harry Potter" fans was literally pushing me into the barricades. As I was thrust face-first into Daniel Radcliffe's hat, I suddenly felt the thumb of a lanky gentleman behind me pressing firmly into my back. It was then that I realized that both of his hands had Playbills, and that both arms were outstretched in front of me...
#42re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:31pm
"If you think YF has a better score than Passing Strange, I think that's more reflective of your personal taste in musical genres than better/worse comparison."
Frogs, you are right, and I said that in my posts, it's my opinion only. It's reflective of the type of score I like. But speaking for the catagory of scores I like best, which is the old-fashioned showtune, I think it's a definate winner.
The only reason I might not watch the Tonys this year is I really don't care for the much of the rest of the material. I own the cd for The Little Mermaid and love it, and bought the rest and sold them...and if I tune in it will definately be only to see the scenes from the musical revivals.
#43re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:47pm
I'm with mntwister as far as personal taste. HOWEVER, even disregarding that, how does one pit the nominated scores against YF? Ok, ITH justly received a nomination as did PS (since it offers litte more). Alright, those were givens. But, were the new songs in LM really worthy of a nod? Yes, "Positoovity" and "Good Times" were unbelievably catchy and clever. But, "She's in Love" came straight from LEGALLY BLONDE, the dinglehopper song made me dizzy, and the plodding drawn-out ballad "If Only" actually lulled me to sleep for a few seconds! And do not argue that CRY-BABY's "Girl Can I Kiss You" and "Baby" is more worthy than YF's "Deep Love" and "tits". Honestly, I would've understood if the sickening score from XANADU or the random notes from ACA were nominated, but the 2 that were don't hold a candle to Mel; sorry, just opinion.
...And so, there I was at the stage door for "Equus". The enthused avalanche of "Harry Potter" fans was literally pushing me into the barricades. As I was thrust face-first into Daniel Radcliffe's hat, I suddenly felt the thumb of a lanky gentleman behind me pressing firmly into my back. It was then that I realized that both of his hands had Playbills, and that both arms were outstretched in front of me...
Updated On: 5/18/08 at 04:47 PM
#44re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 6:32pm
Learn to make distinctions...just because YOU like the show does not mean it is award worthy. (This is really just a nice way of saying "It's ok to like junk.")
These cries of vote fixing and politics are way over the top. There are still people who insist that AVENUE Q's polictical-ish campaign to win best musical was sneaky and underhanded and somehow cost WICKED a Best Musical Tony. This is sheer nonsense. Look at the reviews: Q got raves, WICKED received mixed notices and a lot of outright pans. The general consensus was that AVE Q was the season's best musical. Same with RAGTIME over LION KING. Notice how here, the Tonys for book and score went to RAGTIME, but in the end the voters decided that LION KING had more entertainment value.
There's no conspiracy.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#45re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 7:27pm
Frontrowcentre2.....no need to be so darn rude with your responses. I said it was my opinion and I am allowed that. If I think there was a snub it's my right, don't tell me I need to learn anything, I've been a faithful fan of Broadway for over 40 years and have seen alot. Telling me it's ok to like junk is just insulting my tastes, very tasteless statement.
Some of us here see the politics of the awards committees whether they are in New York or in Hollywood, just because you think there's nothing happening doesn't mean there isn't...it goes both ways.
Just wanted to tell you you don't need to talk down to people. I stated every single post it was only MY opinion, or am I not allowed that? Calm down and relax. Not everyone is going to think your way.
Anyway on with the thread.
Updated On: 5/18/08 at 07:27 PM
#46re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 7:40pmYou are mis-reading me. The comment about junk is - well like a huge chocolate bar. A treat. An indulgence. Something that you enjoy even if it has no nutritional value. We need our "steak" too but nothing wrong with enjoying a candy bar. So long as we don't try o justify it by making it out to be more nutritious than it is.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#47re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 7:57pm
Mel Brooks backlash.
The todo over him scouting the theater when Pirate Queen was still playing left a sour taste in many mouths. Personally Mrs R & I loved it but Passing Strange is the current flavor of the month (no idea why) so it took YF'S place. Enjoyed YF much more but thems the breaks.
Poster Emeritus
#48re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/18/08 at 8:17pmI honestly don't think it deserves any more nominations than it got. I couldn't remember any of the songs after I walked out of the theater,...I got bored to death during the second act, and only about half the jokes were kinda funny.
#49re: Young Frankenstein-Tony's...What Happened?
Posted: 5/19/08 at 1:10am
"I couldn't remember any of the songs after I walked out of the theater,...I got bored to death during the second act, and only about half the jokes were kinda funny."
Interesting, I not only felt this way for CRY-BABY, but also for ITH. Yes, believe it or not, there is someone out there who didn't fall heed-over-heels for the "Latino Rent" ripoff. Mind you, the score was catchy and had a nice mix of salsa, latin grooves, but the rapping and predictable plot just left me a little disappointed.
...And so, there I was at the stage door for "Equus". The enthused avalanche of "Harry Potter" fans was literally pushing me into the barricades. As I was thrust face-first into Daniel Radcliffe's hat, I suddenly felt the thumb of a lanky gentleman behind me pressing firmly into my back. It was then that I realized that both of his hands had Playbills, and that both arms were outstretched in front of me...
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