Tony Nominations!

In The Heights

Passing Strange

Ok so the tony nominations have been in for quite some time now, they were announced Monday. BUT I was just thinking, what do the nominations say for the future of Broadway? Ok So looking primarily at the musicals, none of the mega-musicals were nominated except for courtesy nods to lighting designs, supporting characters, but not for the coveted best actor/actress/musical award. Instead In The Heights or Passing Strange May sweep the awards. Both shows opened in April. Both shows had considerably less money to spend than Disney and Mel Brooks. However these two shows touch chords with things that are going on in today's societies. So where they only nominated because of their timely commentaries? or because they were better than the mega musicals? or because in the theatre communities they are more respected? or all three? It is hard to venture what the academy was thinking. I can't help but think how interesting it is that here at a time where Young Frankenstein, the most expensive musical to hit broadway yet, didn't get a Tony nod for best of its kind. Is that to say that more money does not make a better musical? 

Young Frankenstein

The Little Mermaid

If anything I think that the academy is definitely making producers and theatre company owners rethink what makes a good musical. Suddenly it isn't the money, like it was with Wicked, The Producers, or even The Lion King. It seems the Academy is making such money powerhouses to rethink their content, because that is what makes a show great, if that is what we can deduce from the results of the Tony nominations this year. 

Also next year Title of Show is coming to Broadway. This show is a two man show with a piano onstage, and I think two women. I have heard the soundtrack and it is hilariously genius. It was meant for a cabaret stage, in fact the first time it was produced it was for a 50 seat space. It moved Off-Broadway and had a successful career, thus how I heard it. However, this year it is coming to Broadway. A show that used to cost you 20 bucks at the most will now cost you $111, $113 or something along those lines. Is it worth it? Will people pay that much? The show is solid, but it is small. Maybe people said the same thing about The Fantasticks and look how long it has been running, but still in an Off-Broadway state. Title of Show opens in the fall right alongside Shrek: The Musical, so what will the Tony's think next year? Will this mega-musical even have a shot? Or will david conquer goliath again?

What an interesting time to be in theatre.

Title of Show