Broadway, It's Not Just For Gays Anymore!

It's my Tony Awards live blog!  OK, it's really live note-taking/stream of unconsciousness, but here are my thoughts as the night was happening:

Let's see, champagne?  Check.  Pizza?  Check.  Guests?  Check.  We're ready for the Tonys! 

It's "Teen Heartthrob" Neil Patrick Harris!  His opening number kills!  We're all doing champagne spit takes. 

"Attention every breeder, it's OK to go to the theater." 
"It's not just for gays anymore." 
"No sodomy required!"

Celebrities in the audience are very game with their little bits.  Brooke Shields gets it out, finally.

Alec Baldwin - hot in a beard.  First award, Featured actress in a play and it's Ellen Barkin for The Norman Heart.  She looks beautiful in age-appropriate yet sexy black lace. It's wonderful to see this play recognized.

The How to Succeed in Business guys, Robert Morse and Matthew Broderick, introduce a scene from the nominated musical.

Daniel Radcliffe is totally game.  He's really not much of a singer, God bless him.  You can really see that he works hard.

Why are they giving so much time to John Leguizamo to pitch his show?

Viola Davis is spectacular in Lavender.  She's introducing featured actor in a play and it's North Texas' own John Benjamin Hickey for The Normal Heart!  He looks gorgeous.  I'll just say it.  The man is hot.  He thanks his partner.  Nice.  Gives a shout out to Plano, TX.  He says his family better not be watching the Mavericks game.  A few people in the audience laugh, most have no idea what he's talking about.  

And we're doing a scene from Catch Me If You Can.

Aaron Tveit really should have been nominated.  Norbet Leo Butz is a big star.

Commercial break and Wes wants to change the channel to check the score in the Mavericks game.  There's a Mavericks game on?  Who knew?  OK Wes, but make it snappy.  If I miss Best Featured Actress in a Musical I won't be happy.

Anything Goes wins choreography.  Well deserved, Kathleen Marshall.

 David Hyde Pierce gives Best Director of a Musical to Book of Mormon.  They're on their way to the big prize. 
      
Best Director of a Play is War Horse.  Are they on their way to the big prize?

Don Cheadle introduces The Scottsboro Boys who are amazing.

Angela Lansbury is a vision in black.

Gorgeous Harry Connick, Jr. presents Best Featured Actress in a Musical to Nikki M. James of the Book of Mormon.  She's over the moon!  I love it when they're genuinely excited.  She should be, there was some amazing talent in that field including Miss LuPone herself.

Fellow South Carolinian Steven Colbert introduces a scene from The Book of Mormon.  Cute Andrew Rannells singing I Believe.  I believe too, Andrew!

Hugh Jackman and NPH on stage together.  What a couple of pros.  What a couple of hotties.

Brook Shields in the Addams Family?  I can buy it.

Featured Actor in a Musical goes to John Larroquette.  Adam Godley of Anything Goes was robbed!  Larroquette also beat out cute Rory O'Malley of The Book of Mormon, but Rory's handsome date looks like much more than a consolation prize.  The two talented Scottsboro Boys went home empty handed.  This win leaves me scratching my head.  It seems to be a show business rule that if John Larroquette is nominated for something, he's going to win. 

Bono and The Edge try desperately to promote Spiderman introduce a scene from Spiderman.  Peter Parker and Mary Jane are in the air singing a love song straight out of 1975.  "Don't think about tomorrow, we've only got tonight."  My God, what a cliche.  This really doesn't inspire me to go see the show.

It's Jim Parsons.  Wait a minute, I thought Broadway wasn't just for gays anymore?

Robin Williams is on stage with a truly awesome beard.  "The only beard here is on my face."  Not a bad line.

Book of a musical goes to The Book of Morman.  Trey Parker and Matt Stone are really cute.

WTF is Whoopi wearing?  I suppose it wouldn't be Whoppi if she was glammed up.  She introduces a rousing number from Sister Act.

Best Revival of a Play is being presented by handsome Patrick Wilson, soon to be seen in a new show on CBS.  Sheer coincidence, I'm sure.  The winner is The Normal Heart.  "Freedom to love, freedom to live, freedom to marry."  Very nice.  Then, Larry Kramer puts a tear in every eye with "Our day will come."

Memphis is still running?

Priscilla Queen of the Desert wins Best Costume.  Who else could compete with that?  Lizzy Gardiner doesn't wear an American Express dress.

The Dan Savage/It Gets Better/Google Chrome spot always chokes me up.


That was part one, folks.  More to follow.  I've got to go put the dog out!

   Check out Tonyawards.com for tons more information and more pictures like these.

Dallas: 10:20 PM

I hear fireworks going off outside.  It must be other people who are as excited as I am that Anything Goes won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical!

PIcture of the Day

Neil Patrick Harris and his handsome husband David Burtka attend the Tony Eve Cocktail Party at the Hotel InterContinental in New York.   Obviously my invitation was lost in the mail.

The Tonys Need a Home

Radio City Music Hall is booked next June so the Tonys have to find a new theater.  That's not as easy as it sounds since Radio City has a unique combination of seating capacity, acoustics and location.  Madison Square Garden is out because it'll be under renovation. 

The Tonys have been at Radio City since 1997 except for 1999 when they were held at the Gershwin Theater.  Among the candidates are the Apollo, the Beacon, the Broadway and the Marquis Theaters.  What do you think?  Where should the Tonys go?

Doug, your apartment is probably a tad small but the location would be perfect. 

It's the Tonys!

Last night was Tony night at our house!  Of course I would have live blogged the show if I had a lap top knew how to live blog.  Instead, I took notes and texted LC NY Bureau Chief Doug all night.  Here's my stream of unconsciousness:

The show is opening with Sean Hayes at the piano. Who knew?  He plays well and I've never seen him look so cute.

Million Dollar Quartet feels like something that's been done on B-way about a dozen times.  I think it's telling that the Tonys have opened with a song that's not original. 

Now Kristin Chenowith (who I love) and Sean are doing a number from Promises, Promises.  Finally, a song written for Broadway.  Of course, it's 40+ years old. 

Kristin looks great.  Bitch stole my dress.

I love Sherrie Renee Scott and her plus size back-up singers.

La Cage!  Les Cagelles!  Finally some color and sass!  Those girls look fabulous.  This is the show I most want to see and Doug, that bitch, just got tickets.  I expect a detailed review Doug!

Apparently the Tonys have turned into a Green Day concert.  I'm surprised I recognize any of the songs.  I think it's time for a wine refill. 

I'm back and Billy Joe whatshisname is still singing.  I'm sure the Tonys have totally nailed the youthful demographic with this rock concert from 2001.

Why is Will Smith here? 

Sean Hayes tonguing Kristin Chenowith is just wrong.  And kinda gross.  But hey, who says gays can't play straight?

Daniel Radcliffe and Katie Holmes are here to announce Best Featured Actress in a Play.  Unfortunately Daniel is not in his Equus costume.  Katie's boobs are all smushed.  With all of Tom's money she can't afford a dress that fits? 

Scarlett Johansson won for A View From a Bridge.  I would say it's star fucking but she got rave reviews.  She looks great. Love her hair.  Love her husband more.  She seems genuinely overwhelmed and her speech is lovely.

OMG it's Doug's next husband Ricky Martin!  He's set to star as Che in the upcoming revival of Evita.  See what happens when you come out?

Million Dollar Quartet looks like a total bore.

Eddie Redmane won Best Featured Actor in a Play for Red.  Did Justin Bieber do his hair?  Am I just jealous because he has so much?

It's a scene from La Cage!  Douglas Hodge in drag going out into the audience.  Matthew Morrison just slipped him some $.  Adorable.  Hodge should win. 

Antonio Banderis is still handsome but needs to back away from the hair gel.  He's going to play Zorba?  With his thick Spanish accent, how will he play Greek?  I guess the producers are counting on American audiences not knowing the difference.  It'll be Zorba the Spaniard. 

Director of a play went to Red.  It will sweep.

Director of a Musical went to La Cage!  I've got to get to NY and see it. 

Chris Noth is introducing a brief description of all the Best Play nominees.  The Next Fall guys are hilarious. That play should win but won't.

Jon Bon Jovi is what, 60?  He looks fucking hot.  Seriously.  Did he make a deal with the devil?  Can I sign up for that?

Best Featured Actress in a Musical is Katie Finneran from Promises, Promises.  Karine Plantadit's name was flashed as the winner.  I guess this is an upset? 

Mark Sanchez at the Tonys?  Is it just because he's hot?  I can live with that.  You can tell gay men run this thing.

Featured Actor in a musical is Levi Kreis from Million Dollar Quartet.  He didn't kiss his handsome boyfriend!  What was that reluctant hug about? 

Broadway Legend Barbara Cook didn't win in her category.  Her gays are weeping.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is performing Send in the Clowns.  I saw it with the understudy who was wonderful.  Why is CZJ jerking her head back and forth?  Is she nervous?

I want to do bad things with Justin Bartha. 

Sean Hayes is hysterical as Annie.  Whoppi Goldberg did the same thing at the Oscars, but that's OK.  It works.

Viola Davis just won her second Tony.  She's Best Actress in a Play for Fences.  She looks spectacular in green. 

Helen Mirren = sexy.

Denzel Washington won Best Actor in a Play for Fences.  Is it catty to say he's looking a little hippy?  If Jon Bon Jovi can do it, so can you Denzel.

It's America's favorite gay couple, the Pinkett-Smiths!  That's totally not true, of course.  Has anybody explained why they're here?

Michael Douglas looks the best he's looked in a long time.

I guess Paula Abdul was available.

Legendary Bill T. Jones wins for choreography.

Stanley Tucci loves me.  He just doesn't know it yet.  Probably because we haven't met. 

Cate Blanchett's suit is extraordinary.  She wins best dressed. 

Best Play is Red.  Next Fall was robbed. 

Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison!  Is this Lea Michelle's audition for the Funny Girl revival?  If it is, she just nailed it.  She's a show-stopper.

Raquel Welch!  She looks fantastic.  She has the world's most brilliant plastic surgeon. 

La Cage wins Best Revival of a Musical!  Champagne all around!

Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.  What a couple of pros.  I think Bob Hope told that Passover joke 75 years ago, but Nathan made it work. 

Best Actress in a Musical is Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

Best Actor in a Musical is Douglas Hodge! 

Bernadette Peters will take over for CZJ in Night Music?  Apparently that's true.  Elaine Stritch will replace Angela Lansbury. 

Best Musical is Memphis.  Snooze.

Tony Noms!

The Tony Nominations were announced this morning by Lea Michele and Jeff Daniels.  I dragged Wes out of bed and we watched it live on Tonyawards.com.  Fela! and La Cage aux Folles led with 11 nominations each.  Next Fall, which reduced me to tears, was nominated for Best Play, but tragically, none of its talented cast was honored.  Cheyenne Jackson, who received a Drama Desk nomination for Finian's Rainbow, was also snubbed by Tony.  As LC NY Bureau Chief Doug said, "who does he have to blow to get a nomination?"  I volunteer. 

Here's the complete list:

BEST PLAY
"In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play"
"Next Fall"
"Red"
"Time Stands Still"
BEST MUSICAL

"American Idiot"
"Fela!"
"Memphis"
"Million Dollar Quartet"
BEST BOOK OF MUSICAL

"Everyday Rapture," Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott
"Fela!," Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones
"Memphis," Joe DiPietro
"Million Dollar Quartet," Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE

"The Addams Family," Music & lyrics: Andrew Lippa
"Enron," Music: Adam Cork; Lyrics: Lucy Prebble
"Fences," Music: Branford Marsalis
"Memphis," Music: David Bryan; Lyrics: Joe DiPietro, David Bryan

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY

"Fences"
"Lend Me a Tenor"
"The Royal Family"
"A View from the Bridge"
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL

"Finian's Rainbow"
"La Cage aux Folles"
"A Little Night Music"
"Ragtime"

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Kelsey Grammer, "La Cage aux Folles"
Sean Hayes, "Promises, Promises"
Douglas Hodge,"La Cage aux Folles"
Chad Kimball, "Memphis"
Sahr Ngaujah, "Fela!"

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Kate Baldwin, "Finian's Rainbow"
Montego Glover, "Memphis"
Christiane Noll, "Ragtime"
Sherie Rene Scott, "Everyday Rapture"
Catherine Zeta-Jones, "A Little Night Music"

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY

Jude Law, "Hamlet"
Alfred Molina, "Red"
Liev Schreiber, "A View from the Bridge"
Christopher Walken, "A Behanding in Spokane"
Denzel Washington, "Fences"

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Viola Davis, "Fences"
Valerie Harper, "Looped"
Linda Lavin, "Collected Stories"
Laura Linney, "Time Stands Still"
Jan Maxwell, "The Royal Family"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

David Alan Grier, "Race"
Stephen McKinley Henderson, "Fences"
Jon Michael Hill, "Superior Donuts"
Stephen Kunken, "Enron"
Eddie Redmayne, "Red"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Maria Dizzia, "In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play"
Rosemary Harris, "The Royal Family"
Jessica Hecht, "A View from the Bridge"
Scarlett Johansson, "A View from the Bridge"
Jan Maxwell, "Lend Me a Tenor"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Kevin Chamberlin, "The Addams Family"
Robin De Jesus, "La Cage aux Folles"
Christopher Fitzgerald, "Finian's Rainbow"
Levi Kreis, "Million Dollar Quartet"
Bobby Steggert, "Ragtime"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Barbara Cook, "Sondheim on Sondheim"
Katie Finneran, "Promises, Promises"
Angela Landsbury, "A Little Night Music"
Karine Plantadit, "Come Fly Away"
Lillias White, "Fela!"

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Michael Grandage, "Red"
Sheryl Kaller, "Next Fall"
Kenny Leon, "Fences"
Gregory Mosher,"A View from the Bridge"

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Christopher Ashley, "Memphis"
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, "Ragtime"
Terry Johnson, "La Cage aux Folles"
Bill T. Jones, "Fela!"

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Rob Ashford, "Promises, Promises"
Bill T. Jones, "Fela!"
Lynne Page, "La Cage aux Folles"
Twyla Tharp, "Come Fly Away"

BEST ORCHESTRATIONS

Jason Carr, "La Cage aux Folles"
Aaron Johnson, "Fela!"
Jonathan Tunick, "Promises, Promises"
Daryl Waters and David Bryan, "Memphis"

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY

John Lee Beauty, "The Royal Family"
Alexander Dodge, "Present Laughter"
Santo Loquasto, "Fences"
Christopher Oram, "Red"

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

Marina Draghici, "Fela!"
Christine Jones, "American Idiot"
Derek McLane, "Ragtime"
Tim Shortall, "La Cage aux Folles"

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY

Martin Pakledinaz, "Lend Me a Tenor"
Constanza Romero, "Fences"
David Zinn, "In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play"
Catherine Zuber, "The Royal Family"

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

Marina Draghici, "Fela!"
Santo Loquasto, "Ragtime"
Paul Tazwell, "Memphis"
Matthew Wright, "La Cage aux Folles"

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY

Neil Austin, "Hamlet"
Neil Austin, "Red"
Mark Henderson, "Enron"
Brian MacDevitt, "Fences"

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

Kevin Adams, "American Idiot"
Donald Holder, "Ragtime"
Nick Richings, "La Cage aux Folles"
Robert Wierzel, "Fela!"

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY

Acme Sound Partners, "Fences"
Adam Cork, "Enron"
Adam Cork, "Red"
Scott Lehrer, "A View from the Bridge"

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL

Jonathan Deans, "La Cage aux Folles"
Robert Kaplowitz, "Fela!"
Dan Moses Schreier and Gareth Owen, "A Little Night Music"
Dan Moses Schreier, "Sondheim on Sondheim"

SPECIAL TONY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE THEATRE

Alan Ayckbourn and Marian Seldes

REGIONAL THEATRE TONY AWARD

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Waterford, Conn.

ISABELLE STEVENSON AWARD

David Hyde Pierce

TONY HONORS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE THEATRE

Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York
B.H. Barry
Tom Viola