9 to 5 is definitely the "feel good" hit of the season, but BILLY ELLIOT is a far superior musical and will/should win. I do hope 9 to 5 can take home an award or two though...
I would LOVE to see N2N win...and I truly feel that it should! However, but I think that it will go to Billy. (But I haven't seen 9to5.)
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These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Everyone is really counting 9 To 5 out of the race? I wouldn't. I love Billy Elliot just as much as the next theatre goer, but I think 9 To 5 may be this year's Hairspray, if not this year's Producers. Updated On: 4/28/09 at 11:21 AM
N2N should be the hands down winner in a world where producers couldn't vote. 9 to 5 should be the first runner up. Hopefully the voters will get wise about Billy Elliot and realize that the score is the worst of the year and that the production is all hype and no substance.
Not having seen 9 to 5 yet (I lived through the 80s...I hardly think I need to see Rock of Ages to get the gist of that, so I'm not worried about that one), I can only base it on what I have seen AS I HAVE SEEN THEM. I realize that my experience was not everyone's, but if I was looking at things as a Tony Voter, I would have to give it to next to normal based on everything from score to energy level of the cast and how invested they seem in it. I wanted to love Billy Elliot here as much as I had in London, but whether it was an off-night or not, the energy was sorely lacking the night I saw it. The kids ~ or at least the one playing Michael ~ were trying to save it, but it was a tall order and they couldn't quite fill it. So if we're assuming a voter only sees a show once, and I was a voter, what I saw would NOT qualify in my mind as Best Musical no matter how much I might want it to based on that.
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I would have to say HANDS DOWN for Next To Normal. One of the best shows that I have seen on BWay in quite awhile! Next would be 9 to 5 - which I am surprised I liked as well as I did! Great score! Title of Show would also be a contender -I hope people remember it when it comes nominations time.
I have to say that Billy Elliott was one of THE most disappointing shows this season. Totally lacking the heart of the movie and I can't remember 1 single song, but I still see dancing dresses in my nighmares!
I think the nominees will be Billy Elliot, Next to Normal, 9 to 5, and Rock of Ages (a hunch on that one). IMO, [tos] is too far a distant memory and it's closed. Remember, [tos] was not embraced unanimously, either by the crtics or the public-at-large. Yes, it has its fanatic devotees, but there's just not enough of them. Personally, I feel that Billy Ellior and Next to Normal are better shows and that [tos] is better than 9 to 5 and Rock of Ages, but, hey, I'm not a Tony voter. If Rock of Ages doesn't get the nod, then I think Shrek will take the fourth nomination, but only as a place-filler.
"Hopefully the voters will get wise about Billy Elliot and realize that the score is the worst of the year and that the production is all hype and no substance."
I agree with everything you say with one change ... replace "Billy Elliot" with "9 to 5" which is by far the worst score of the year and all hype and no substance.
A prediction and a personal preference are very different. Of course I'd love to see NEXT TO NORMAL win but BILLY, as I said, had the award in the bag before it started performances.
It's a perfect storm. Billy received great reviews, and it's a huge hit. If it DIDN'T win great musical, it would be the greatest upset in Broadway history.
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