As regular followers of the Crusade know, we’re big fans of all things theater. Which means with the Tony Awards only 5 days away, well it’s practically Christmas in June.
So, because I can’t wait another second for the theater celebration to begin, I’m declaring today Tony Tuesday!
Specifically, today is all the musicals, because who doesn’t love a musical? Okay, truth be told a lot of people find them downright obnoxious. If you’re one of those people, you have my sympathy, and I suggest you cease reading now, or continue reading with an open mind.
Are they gone? Okay, here we go…
While some may write musicals off as pure fluff for a less sophisticated audience, those who truly love theater in all it’s many forms know that nothing could be further from the truth. While there are some musicals that lack a certain intellectual appeal, there are also many that have just as much thought and intellect from its audience as your more mind-numbingly serious plays. Plus, sometimes fluff is fun.
Of course, I don’t think many are accusing this year’s musicals of being made up entirely of fluff. Especially not with “Hamilton” in the running.
Speaking of the Savior of Broadway, unless you’ve been trapped in a hole, hiding under a rock, or completely off the grid, you know who’s going to win the Tony for best new musical this Sunday. “Hamilton” has been destined for Tony greatness since before they opened at the Public Theater Off-Broadway. It also deserves every single bit of praise and adulation that it has received; but believe it or not, there are other musicals that opened on Broadway this year.
And it doesn’t stop there, some of them even were nominated for Tony Awards, and are quite good. Don’t believe me? Well decide for yourself…
“She Loves Me” – nominated for Best Revival of a Musical
“Waitress” – nominated for Best Musical
“Bright Star” – nominated for Best Musical (and yes, it is that Steve Martin)
“The Color Purple” – nominated for Best Revival of a Musical
As you can see, there’s no shortage of talent in this year’s nominated musicals (and that’s not even half of them). It’s a great year for musicals, and that’s before we even add “Hamilton” to the conversation. Speaking of which, you didn’t think I’d leave you with out a clip from the musical that’s changed the face of Broadway, did you? Here you go. Something to tide you over till Tony Sunday. Enjoy!
…just for fun:
One of last year’s Tony nominated musicals, “Something Rotten!,” with a run through of this year’s Tony nominees…
