Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesSo the Tonys are over and the Broadway season has come to the end. The Tonys were a great show. I thought the host was amazing, but I am biased. To tell you the truth watching it at the Beacon Theatre this year was a little hard. It was so hot in that space it was hard to concentrate. I was sitting in the fourth row and sweating through my tuxedo, and they presented awards all through the commercial breaks. I couldn't even stretch my legs or get a drink. Good thing I brought a flask filled with tequila to raise my spirits and unfortunately my temperature. Everyone was hot except for Cynthia Nixon who told me she was so fearful of sitting through the show because she hates central air. Well, lucky for her she was comfortable! I bet if I would had watched the show from home I would have enjoyed it more. Here is the opening number in case you missed it. Isn't Neil great!?!
It was a very interesting year for Broadway. It was the year of the play. So many great plays were on the great white way this year. There were 13 plays in contention and the most American plays ever. Peter and the Starcatcher had the most nominations by an American play in the history of Broadway. All the plays I saw I loved. The highlights were Other Desert Cities, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Clyborn Park. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Peter and the Starcatcher. Christian Borel's performance is so genus. Some might say it is over the top, but I think it fits right in the vain of the show. If you are a theatre lover you will love this play. It has so many inside jokes and fun theatre tricks. If you need information go here!
I also loved Celia Keenan-Bolger, she was so sweet in her role and her comic timing was spot on. I also love her because we grew up together doing theatre. There was a children's theatre group called the Peanut Butter Players we performed together in. In fact it groomed future Broadway stars like Danny Gurwin, Erin Dilly, Randy Becker, Hunter Foster, and my ex girlfriend/first kiss Sutton Foster!
Neil's top pick was a play called One Man Two Guvnors. James Corden is supposed to give one of the most brilliant performances in years. Also, another play to see, but it is not on Broadway is Sleep No More. If you happen to be in NYC, GO SEE THIS! It is one of the most thrilling experiences you will ever witness. It's a scavenger hunt/play/ballet/eyes wide shut experience. If you don't know what immersive theatre is, no problem, you don't have to. I have seen it already five times and I would go back again another five. It is different every time and you have to wear a mask! You'll see what I mean... IT IS SOOOOOOO COOL!!
The musicals were not that strong this year. The two big ones were Newsies and Once. I liked both these alright, but I tend to want to see new material for shows. So many producers are just recycling old movies and making them into new musicals. The dancing and choreography in Newsies is wonderful. These kids are working so hard. They are dancing their butts off every night. I used to dance eight shows a week and it is one of the most difficult jobs i've had to do. Watch the trailer and you will see what I mean. As for Once, I liked it, but didn't go crazy for it. But then again I really did not really care for the movie. I did cry at the end, one of the last moments in the show is really beautiful. Steve Kazee who won the Tony for best actor in a musical is great! I am a huge fan, he's talented, sexy and we have the same agent, so once again I am biased. To watch their performance from the Tonys click here!