June 11th,
2017- The 71st Annual Tony Awards was hosted by “The Usual Suspects”(
and numerous other projects on stage and screen) actor Kevin Spacey. He opened the show with a montage about the
quest to host the night in question, spoofing “Dear Evan Hansen” among other
nominated shows along the way...He was a man of many faces throughout the
night, bringing out impressions of Johnny Carson, Bill Clinton, and even his
character from the show “House of Cards” Frank Underwood…His vocal talents were
on display as he closed out the show with a Bobby Darin song in an ensemble
finale with the night’s winners and Patti LuPone… I personally enjoyed his
interaction with Chazz Palminteri -of “A Bronx Tale” and Spacey’s interrogator
in “The Usual Suspects”
A Moment of
Reflection on a Stage Not So Far Away…: Mark Hamill of the “Star Wars” film
franchise introduced the montage of those the Broadway community lost this past
year… To the classic Boyz II Men hit “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye (To
Yesterday)”, the video screen showed images across the marquee-like video
screen. Led off by Carrie Fisher (Hamill’s “Star Wars” co-star), the tribute
included other names such as Fisher’s mother, Debbie Reynolds and Mary Tyler
Moore (Broadway Barks” co-host for many years and supporter of the arts).
When Plays Reflect Real Life: Some of the winning shows were based on true events. “Oslo” won
for Best Play; Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play went to this show’s
Michael Aronov… “Indecent” had a decent night with Rebecca Taichman taking home
the Tony for Best Direction of a Play and Christopher Akerlind winning for Best
Lighting Design of a play.
Present to “Present
Laughter”: Kevin Kline won his third Tony Award for his lead acting role in
“Present Laughter”. His acceptance speech was low-key and humble as he thanked
his family, the arts foundations, and mentors that made him what he is today
and everyone in general.
Before the Band Plays
Me Off….: In one of the more interesting moments of the night, Bette
Midler’s acceptance speech for the Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
topped the billing in grand statements that would not be silenced by the show’s
house orchestra. Midler practically yelled over the music before getting the
time to thank the “Hello Dolly!” actresses that came before…Her speech also
affirmed that the role of theater is to provide an escape in the troubling
times in which we live. Shows such as
“Hello Dolly!” will always do that for people, and I am glad she reminded
people of that.
Natasha, Pierre &The
Two-Time Winner at the Tony Awards of 2017: The scenic and lighting design
for “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” was recognized as Mimi Lien
and Bradley King each took home the Tony for their superb work transforming the
Imperial Theater into a Russian parlor.
Hello Tony!: “Hello
Dolly!” was a big winner last night…Besides Bette Midler, the show’s costume
designer Santo Loquasto and featured actor Gavin Creel were honored for their
work…”Hello Dolly!” also received the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical
One-Time Winners:
Some shows walked off with just one award while some walked off with their
first Tony awards…Nigel Hook won for his scenic design of “The Play That Goes
Wrong”…Andy Blankenbuehler got a deserving honor for his choreography of the
musical “Bandstand”… “Come From Away” ‘s Christopher Ashley got the Tony Award
for Best Direction of A Musical…Laurie Metcalf received her first Tony Award
for her leading role in “A Doll’s House Part 2”….”August Wilson’s Jitney” won
Best Revival of a Play.
Sly “Foxes”: “Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes” won
two awards last night. Jane Greenwood was given a Tony for costume
design…Rotating lead/feature actress Cynthia Nixon won for her role, and was
one of a few that night to use the awards podium to make a statement.
“Dear Evan Hansen”
Goes For 6: Being topical can benefit a show. Case In Point: “Dear Evan
Hansen”, a “socially relevant” entrant among this year’s nominees. It was the big winner of the original musical
categories, netting 6 awards during the course of the evening, including: Best
Orchestration (Alex Lacamoire), Best Book (Steven Levenson), Best Score (Ben
Pasek and Justin Paul), Best Featured Actress (Rachel Bay Jones), Best Lead
Actor (Ben Platt), and the highest honor of the night of Best Musical
If I Had My Time Any
Other Year: I want to take this moment to acknowledge the original musical
that got shut out of the Tony Awards this year. “Groundhog Day the Musical” was
praised and honored by London’s theater community with wins for the lead actor
Andy Karl as well as the show itself…Prior to the Tonys, Andy Karl won the
outstanding actor in a musical from both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama
Desk. On Broadway’s biggest night however, the year was very competitive.
During the evening, “The Great Comet” performed a medley of songs from their
show; while “Come From Away”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, and “Groundhog Day the Musical”
showcased one number…The “Groundhog Day the Musical” cast performed the show’s finale
“Seeing You” for the audience at Radio City Music Hall and the viewers at home.
This number expressed the heart of the show. #championsadjust-“Groundhog Day
the Musical” cast motto (courtesy of @andy_karl)
Give My Regards to
Broadway: It was quite a night to honor Broadway’s best. Relevancy and
timeliness was the theme of the night, and technical skill was rewarded…Legends
were honored and new legacies created...Bette Midler would not let the awards
show pass by without having her say… and people watching saw the many
entertaining faces of Kevin Spacey…Now that the awards are handed out, I
encourage the reader to see the works honored last night to experience live
theater; there is truly nothing like it.
