11:05
The case for Spring Awakening (AP photo by Jeff Christensen, above) to not win the Tony for best musical was that a stodgy old institution would not honor such an edgy, youthful show. But awarding shows such as Rent and Avenue Q in years past show the Theatre Wing probably doesn't get enough credit for being open minded. Having Mozart himself on stage in the form of Tom Hulce was a little reminder that genius and youthful energy have been two things that go great together for centuries.
Well this has been a fun Broadway season to follow from the Bluegrass State, with so many local talents among the performers and even having a local actor in one of the major, major categories. How many other mid-American cities can said they had one local talent helping stage and then perform on stage for the opening number of the Tonys, and then another talent in contention down to the bitter end?
Considering both of those talents, Lyndy Franklin and Laura Bell Bundy, are in their 20s, and a lot of other Kentucky artists on Broadway such as Steve Kazee, Will Chase and others are making their own marks on Broadway, this probably is just the start of Tony ceremonies we will watch with intense local interest.
Who knows, maybe you'll see Kentucky's next Tony nominee on a local stage this summer.
10:54
Well, we knew that Christine Ebersole (AP photo, right, by Jeff Christensen) was sort of the Helen Mirren of the Tonys this year and Laura wasn't going to win. Still, Usher and Ben Vereen threw a little pause in before saying the name of the winner that made you wonder if there wasn't a surprise in that envelope.
Having seen Grey Gardens, and having been reminded of Ebersole's performance about 30 minutes ago, you can't argue too much with her award, particularly when reminded how Hollywood sent her packing because she was "over the hill." "I'm over the hill in the role of a lifetime," Ebersole declared. "This is so encouraging."
Laura did a lovely job smiling and clapping at Ebersole's victory. Maybe she won't have to repeat that performance next time she's nominated.
10:50
Oh! I can sooooo see David Hyde Pierce (AP photo by Jeff Christensen, left.) in Beyond Therapy. That was a lovely opening though, about as good a job as I have seen anyone do paying tribute to their fellow nominees when they've won. Pierce's line about Jonathan Groff being so talented he had to take a nap was beautiful.
10:38
I mean, really, a few years ago I did a big piece on Rent-heads, when that Tony-winning show was making its way through Central Kentucky for the first time, and I can totally see those same kids and same types of kids digging Spring Awakening, which, considering the source material, speaks to the timelessness of teen angst.
Stoppard and Christopher Plummer's recent moments underscore the long history of Broadway theater and how active some of those towering figures still are.
Just have to ask, does anyone else think this Vegas show CBS keeps plugging looks awful.
Also have to ask, have other winners for best regional theater gotten special performances to celebrate that achievement? Could be, but I don't seem to recall those.
10:34
My biggest regret my last trip to New York was that I couldn't work Spring Awakening into my schedule. Said regret just got bigger.
10:31
I'm back, and I just have to say, @#%^ $&*+fickle wireless connection.
While away, we got some nice reminders of how passionate theater people can be about their productions and their cultural impact, chiefly from Journey's End. We were told the winner for best revival of a play has never been commercially successful, but was revived out of a conviction that the idea that conflicts can be solved in ways other than war needed to be explored again.
Nice moment for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park with Company winning the award for best revival of a musical.
OK, Julie Walters beat out Angela Lansbury and Vanessa Redgrave for actress in a musical . . . any hope for another actress up against four Tony winners tonight?
By the way, Lansbury's loss might be good news for anyone hoping to see her in the mystery plays festival in Owensboro next weekend. We'll let you know if we hear anything about that.
9:38
That Raul Esparza performance of Being Alive from Company could have only been better if you were actually in the room with him. (AP Photo by Jeff Christensen, right.)
9:30
Big Kentucky moment: That montage of "other musicals" ended with footage of Frankfort's Will Chase leading the High Fidelity cast, and then, of course, Laura Bell Bundy in an extended cut from Legally Blonde.
9:20
Ugh. I know musicals are Broadway's bread and butter, but that montage of play nominees was borderline
insulting to live drama. You barely heard a complete line from any show. It was nice to have such an affirming speech from Jack O'Brien, winner from guess-what play, who's been honored for directing both plays and musicals, including Hairspray. But it doesn't seem like very long ago that Tony was showing play snippets during its show. That's my first memory of Art, from the 1998 awards.
Eddie Izzard (AP photo, left, by Stuart Ransom) had a wonderful send up of the best special theatrical event category in his presentation: "You've got to be special, AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE AN EVENT! And there are only two!"
9:00
I get it: If Spring Awakening or Coast of Utopia are nominated, they'll win.
The musical Mary Poppins gets run down a lot, but this performance of Chim Chimeree (sp?) was pretty cool, and very reminiscent of the movie.
By the way, remember what we said about Laura, tonight? Check the Stuart Ransom photo, right.
If you want to see who won the technical awards, click here.
8:45
I do feel like they've just given the whole thing away putting the book and original score for a musical so far up front in the show. Anyone still having any trouble figuring out what will win best musical? (Watch it. It will be Grey Gardens and Benita will laugh at me for a solid year.)
Mary Louise Wilson may have just said musical theater rocks better than 
Duncan Sheik (AP photo, right, by Stuart Ransom) with her howl. So far, she gets the award for best speech, saying she doesn't feel like a mistake has been made, but then giving all the credit for her award to Grey Gardens, the show.
Man, does that Audra McDonald have range, or what?
8:30
Speaking from flyover country, the Tony Awards are unique among the big four entertainment awards because it's almost more interesting seeing all of the numbers from the nominated musicals than finding out who wins the awards. If we get to New York during the year, we may see a small handful of shows, and the Tonys give us a really nice snapshot of whats going on. Like Curtains there, a fun, clever, little number, and David Hyde Pierce: What a song and dance man. I haven't seen it, but next trip . . . Now, I have seen 110 in the Shade, and Audra McDonald is going to be amazing in the next segment.
8:19
That was a lovely speech by Billy Crudup, including the part about the butt padding and the line about not being able to remember last names -- some may say snotty actor, but it really seemed to speak to the the fast moving nature of live theaters.
And John Gallagher Jr. for Spring Awakening. This seems to portend the great night for Coast of Utopia and Spring Awakening that had been predicted.
David Hyde Pierce: "A soprano has been whacked!" Self-awareness. I love it.
8:07
Definitely spotted Lyndy on the stage for One (AP photo, right, by Jeff Christensen), to our right with the long hair and huge smile, and that was a nice cut to Laura Bell, clapping her hands off. BTW, Laura looks smashing -- he says, as if she couldn't.
8:04 p.m.
Love the Chorus Line number staged in front of Radio City. It was hard to spot anyone with all of those quick shots, but I believe Lyndy Franklin was in all purple. Here they go with One.
8 p.m.
Welcome to Copious Notes live Tony Awards blog. You know, it's a lot harder to get ready for an awards show in June, when a beautiful Sunday afternoon is begging you to stay out up until the last possible moment. So, excuse me if I smell a little like chlorine, and let's watch.
So Maybe this makes me one of those grumpy old men, but being reminded of Evita, Sweeny Todd, and Company after watching a bunch of talented young performers do an immitation of a fifty year old Disney movie was really pretty depressing. The Great American Musical Stage has been hijacked by a cartoon company.
Still, there is reason to rejoice -- Stoppard lives!
Peace,
b
Posted by: Robert Parks Johnson | June 10, 2007 at 09:52 PM
Chinese food night here.
Mary Louise Wilson has had reasons for celebratory howls for many years and for many great performances. What a joy to see her win!
Audra was and always is magnificent. She is a truly generous performer; giving all to her fellow actors, her role, and an audience.
Seeing Billy Crudup win was a great extra moment of another great performance. His character was so missed in Part Three of Utopia.
God, I do love the theatre.
Posted by: Kevin Dearinger | June 10, 2007 at 09:07 PM