2018 Tony Awards on June 10

[screech]

Love that the cast of The Boys in the Band seem to be wearing matching suits, but as much as I love Andrew Rannells, he looks like a tall leprechaun in that shade of green.

Also, Matt Bomer is almost too pretty to look at directly.

 

[screech]

FANTASTIC performance by Alex Newell!!!

Also, kind of surprised about best score.

 

[VGThuy]

The Band's Visit is looking at 8 Tony wins this year.

 

[screech]

The Band's Visit is looking at 8 Tony wins this year.

At least. It'll get best musical, but Tony Shaloub might get lead actor. And I have no idea about who's expected to win lead actress, so maybe it'll get that one too!

Looking like Mean Girls gets completely shut out.

 

[VGThuy]

I think Katrina Lenk is a favorite over Lauren Ambrose. So 8-10 Tonys are a real possibility.

 

[screech]

Wow! Another upset!

 

[screech]

Bruce is boring me.

 

[VGThuy]

I think people took My Fair Lady and what it accomplished for granted, but Once on This Island truly had an incredible and once-in-a-lifetime production.

 

[screech]

I grew to expect Tony's win over the course of the evening, but I was hoping for some kind of variety in the wins. Also, Ethan Slater looked like a toddler next to all the other nominees.

 

[Wyliefan]

I was hoping for HHP, but now I'm truly glad for Tony. Especially since it was his first!

 

[screech]

I had no idea, but Jenna Ushkowitz from Glee was one of the winning producers of Once On This Island, which was introduced by, and stars Glee costars.

 

[mackiecat]

The Bands Visit is taking them all tonight

 

[screech]

So based on the night's performances, the only shows I was actually enticed to go see were Spongebob and Once On This Island.

And maybe Bruce Springsteen, if I need a cure for insomnia.

ETA: I'd also see a cabaret-style show starring Josh and Sara (who, according to the credits, were co-writers of their opening/closing song)

 

[VGThuy]

Mean Girls joins The Scottsboro Boys as the show with the most Tony nominations without a single win.

 

[screech]

The Band's Visit won 10 Tonys. It kind of blows my mind that it has more awards than both Dear Evan Hanson and Book of Mormon (which was robbed in the lead and featured actor categories).

I still have no desire to see The Band's Visit, despite its wins, unfortunately. But it's going to gain some great publicity now, and I'm sure it's very deserving of its wins.

 

[VGThuy]

It goes to show you that these sorts of records keeping track of wins and losses really are dependent on the competition. Last year was way more competitive. I believe The Band's Visit would have been competitive last year too. But probably not the year before when Hamilton was up for awards.

 

[Allskate]

I haven't seen any of the shows, but enjoyed the broadcast. Sara and Josh did a very good job hosting.

 

[Jayar]

First off, it is no surprise that The Band's Visit did so well-- it is a bright spot in a very weak season. I've seen most of the shows nominated, and I am not disturbed or shocked by any of the awards. I am confused as to why Alex Newell didn't even get a nom, but that's water under the bridge. Lauren Ambrose has a pretty voice, but honestly when I saw the show, she is heavily mic'd-- it's very obvious that she's not on the same level as others when you see her live. She also spent a fair amount of time searching for the cameras rather than acting for stage, so I knew that it would be a stretch for her to win. LaChanze had zero chance-- she is in a critically panned show and is not well-liked in the community. She's known to be entitled and calls out... a lot. None of the others did enough to win the award over Katrina Lenk who carries The Band's Visit. On the men's side, I was a little surprised because Ethan Slater was gaining momentum, but I am glad that he did not win. It's fun, but there are a lot of people who could do the role as well as he does-- it's just that he has an uncanny resemblance to the real SpongeBob that carried him this far, IMO. Lindsay Mendez was in a category all by herself-- nobody even came close to her level of performance (again, IMO). The supporting actor in a musical was either going to be Ari'el or Norbert Leo Butz, and since Butz has two, Tony voters likely went with the new guy. Overall, I am pleased with the results.

 

[VGThuy]

I had no idea, but Jenna Ushkowitz from Glee was one of the winning producers of Once On This Island, which was introduced by, and stars Glee costars.

Does that mean that she’s a Tony winner? So Amber Riley is an Olivier winner, and some say Alex Newell was robbed of a nomination and a win for a Tony, and Jenna Ushkowitz is now a Tony winner. They’re all living Rachel Berry’s dream.

 

[peibeck]

I've never heard those diva stories about LaChanze. She took a break from performing after her husband was killed in the World Trade Center attack. I loved her in the original "Once On This Island" cast. (And the revival looks pretty dang amazing! Goats, chickens and all!!! )

I really wish I could afford to fly to NYC and catch "Angels in America" before it shutters. I saw the original production and will never forget it. This new version seems quite differently staged, certainly more dark.

Other than "Island," the musical numbers from "My Fair Lady" and "Spongebob" were quite good. The dancing in the "Carousel" number looked interesting, but I have to admit I truly despise that musical with nearly every fibre of my being. I liked the number from "The Band's Visit" in my living room, but it just looked like a chamber musical... which is fine if you are seeing it in a fairly intimate theatre. However, I'm likely to see it for the first time when it comes on tour in a 5000+ seat venue, which doesn't always play the best for smaller shows.

I have to disagree with a few others here, I was not very impressed with the "Frozen" number(s). Pretty production values (unsurprisingly), but "Elsa's" voice was rather strident to my ears. I freely admit, "Frozen" is among my least liked Disney animated movies of all time, however. Disney needs to sign up Julie Taymor to do a "Coco" musical. That would have the potential to be amazing (though who knows if a producer will ever hire her again after "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark?" ).

 

[VGThuy]

I have to disagree with a few others here, I was not very impressed with the "Frozen" number(s). Pretty production values (unsurprisingly), but "Elsa's" voice was rather strident to my ears. I freely admit, "Frozen" is among my least liked Disney animated movies of all time, however. Disney needs to sign up Julie Taymor to do a "Coco" musical. That would have the potential to be amazing (though who knows if a producer will ever hire her again after "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark?" ).

I hear you. I just had seriously low expectations for the performance. Like really low.

 

[screech]

Does that mean that she’s a Tony winner? So Amber Riley is an Olivier winner, and some say Alex Newell was robbed of a nomination and a win for a Tony, and Jenna Ushkowitz is now a Tony winner. They’re all living Rachel Berry’s dream.

Yep, Jenna now has a Tony, and Lea Michele has never even been nominated.
I was listening to Seth Rudetsky today on the On Broadway station, and he was blown away by Alex's performance, just like I was. I never liked his character much on Glee, but man could he belt like a diva. He definitely proved that he deserves to be on Broadway, and I foresee more shows in his future. Amazing for a guy who got on Glee by being runner up on a reality contest show to get a guest spot on the show.

I liked the number from "The Band's Visit" in my living room, but it just looked like a chamber musical... which is fine if you are seeing it in a fairly intimate theatre. However, I'm likely to see it for the first time when it comes on tour in a 5000+ seat venue, which doesn't always play the best for smaller shows.

I have to disagree with a few others here, I was not very impressed with the "Frozen" number(s). Pretty production values (unsurprisingly), but "Elsa's" voice was rather strident to my ears. I freely admit, "Frozen" is among my least liked Disney animated movies of all time, however. Disney needs to sign up Julie Taymor to do a "Coco" musical. That would have the potential to be amazing (though who knows if a producer will ever hire her again after "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark?" ).

I was bored by the Band's Visit performance. I didn't suck me in, but I can see why others enjoyed it.
With regards to Frozen, I'm with @VIETgrlTerifa in that I had low expectations. I thought Patti Murin was great as Anna, but then, I found Anna to be one of the few likeable characters in the movie. I thought Caissie Levy did alright with Elsa, but that character annoys me, and I just freaking hate that song.
I also have a soft spot for Patti Murin, though. She was very open recently about having to skip shows due to her anxiety.