Today we continue the 2014 edition of our annual BroadwayWorld feature series spotlighting the very best Tony Awards-related moments of all time with a special focus on one of the biggest battles for Best Musical: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES versus SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.
As the particularly celebratory ceremony went on - the theme of that year's Tonys was saluting the composers/lyricists of the Best Musical nominees; all of them repeat nominees and/or winners that season - the early technical wins for SUNDAY seemed to point to its favor, but, just as quickly, LA CAGE swept in and took many of the big prizes - George Hearn for his magnetic gender-bending turn as Zaza, taking Best Actor In A Musical; Laurents for Best Direction Of A Musical; and, perhaps most famously, Jerry Herman for Best Score; as well as the show itself winning Best Musical.
30 DAYS OF THE 2014 Tony Awards IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY... This fall, Fathom Events will present Tim Rice's timeless new musical "From Here to Eternity" to cinemas across the United States. Captured during the show's successful six-month West End run, U.S. audiences will be able to enjoy the UK production, as well as exclusive extras, on the big screen before it hits Broadway in 2015. More information is available here.
So, now, let's take a look at the sleek style of the original Arthur Laurents production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and take part in the French flair and glamour of Zsa Zsa and those dangerous, dazzling Cagelles, and, also, travel to the Parisian park of La Grand Jatte in 1884 and witness Georges Seurat and his mistress, Dot, make art history right before our very eyes - and ears. First, the original cast of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE perform on the 1984 Tony Awards. Next, sample the 2008 revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Now, view the original cast of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES on the 1984 Tony Awards. Last, check out the 2010 revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. As a special bonus, view the entire 1984 Tony Awards below. Who would win today - LA CAGE or SUNDAY? Furthermore, who really should have won way back when, in your estimation? Honestly, which musical has had the biggest impact on Broadway in the 30 years since? Without a doubt, they are so dissimilar in their style, intention and ultimate impact that perhaps it is most instructive to not even compare them. After all, art and commerce can exist side by side - as we see here, sometimes not only in the same season, but even in the same shows. Nevertheless, 1984 was certainly among the best of times as far as major Tony Awards battles are concerned.
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