BWW Live Recap: Theatre Stars Front and Center at 87th Academy Awards
By: Matt Smith Feb. 22, 2015
It's that time of year again! Hollywood heavyweights are flocking to the Dolby Theatre this afternoon to attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards. Like the Golden Globes, presented earlier this year, the roster of nominees are primarily made up of film stars (well, duh!) more so than stage actors, but no fear - there are a considerable amount of this year's candidates with strong theatrical credits.
Of course, while the awards show itself is typically less of a performance-based one, that'll no doubt change tonight, as HEDWIG Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris takes the reins of the ceremony for the first time, making it one step closer to his soon-to-be-awarded "Hosting EGOT." Yes, some may say he's hosted every awards show on television - and yeah, he pretty much has; some even multiple times- but he's so good at it! He knows how to entertain and put on a show! (Can we all take a moment to remember the gigantic spectacular that was the 2013 Tonys' Opening Number?!)As for theatre-related nominees, the Broadway-centric BIRDMAN picked up nods for Best Picture, Best Actor (Michael Keaton), Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), Best Supporting Actress (CABARET's Emma Stone), Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, among others; the much-lauded Meryl Streep was nominated for her performance as the Witch in INTO THE WOODS, which also picked up nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. And of course, frontrunner-to-win Bradley Cooper (who's also sure to pick up a Tony later this year for his performance in THE ELEPHANT MAN) was nominated for his performance as Chris Kyle in AMERICAN SNIPER.
And let's not forget the whole evening's produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the masterminds behind the film adaptations of CHICAGO and HAIRSPRAY, ABC's THE MUSIC MAN (2003), the NBC Broadwayfest SMASH, and the recent live television events, THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and PETER PAN LIVE!
As I was with the Globes, I'll be here all night recapping the evening, sharing my views on the winners, presenters, performances, and any other exciting surprises that may pop up. Who knows?! Who or what are you most looking forward to seeing on Hollywood's night of nights? Leave your comments below, and check back later tonight when it all goes down. See you soon!
8:10pm - Hey guys! All settled in? 87th Oscars begin in 20 minutes! Enjoying the red carpet so far? How many theatre stars can you spot?
8:25pm - Five minutes to go!
8:30pm - Here he is.... Neil Patrick Harris! Before he hosted the Oscars, Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, of course, hosted the Tonys. In fact, he's tied with previous Oscar-host-and-Tony winner Hugh Jackman for second place of hosting the most Tony telecasts ever (4 each). Remember when he did this at the Tonys?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=danBaPWT09A
Or this? (And later that night, he WON!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIaFn5lsLd8
8:38pm - WOW! Did y'all enjoy that crazy cool opening number? Two magic tricks and Anna Kendrick?!
8:39pm - Before she was an Oscar-nominated movie star, Anna Kendrick became one of the youngest Tony-nominees in history when she appeared in the musical HIGH SOCIETY. Here she is in a 1998 Carnegie Hall performance, singing alongside the Kit Kat Girls from the previous Roundabout revival of CABARET.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRYp1ardsNQ
8:40pm - The opening number was also written by Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez, the geniuses behind FROZEN. Of course, Robert's also known in Broadway circles as the librettist behind AVENUE Q and THE BOOK OF MORMON, both of which won Tonys in 2004 and 2011, respectively. Fun fact: Robert's also the youngest EGOT winner in history.
8:41pm - I'll also mention Jack Black was featured in that opening number as well. His movie, SCHOOL OF ROCK, is coming to Broadway next year. Plays the Winter Garden Theatre in November.
8:42pm - And the winner of Best Supporting Actor is... J. K. Simmons for WHIPLASH!
8:46pm - Anyone wanna watch the live feed of NPH's Oscar predictions briefcase?
8:49pm - A look at BUDAPEST HOTEL and AMERICAN SNIPER, starring Broadway's Bradley Cooper.
Fun fact: Before he became an Oscar-nominated megastar, Bradley Cooper appeared on Broadway in 2006's THREE DAYS OF RAIN, and of course, just yesterday, wrapped up his Broadway return in his sure-to-be-Tony-nominated performance of THE ELEPHANT MAN.
8:50pm - Adam Levine on now performing "Lost Stars" from BEGIN AGAIN.
9:00pm - Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling being presented NOW! Who's your favorite costume designer and makeup artist and hairstylist on Broadway?
9:10pm - And the winner is IDA (Poland/Denmark).
9:13pm - Presenting now... Shirley MacLaine! MacLaine appeared on Broadway in the original production of THE PAJAMA GAME, and in her solo show, SHIRLEY MACLAINE ON BROADWAY. In film, she's performed in SWEET CHARITY, which was last produced on Broadway in 2005, with Christina Applegate in the title role. She's presenting BOYHOOD and BIRDMAN -- the former, starring Broadway alum Ethan Hawke (MACBETH, THE COAST OF UTOPIA), the latter, starring Broadway alum Emma Stone (CABARET) and shot at the St. James Theatre, currently being prepped for the upcoming SOMETHING ROTTEN.
9:19pm - The Lonely Island/Tegan and Sara just killed THE LEGO MOVIE's "Everything Is Awesome." What did you think? What's something that's "awesome" to you?
9:25pm - Here's a question. In what Broadway show would you want to see Kerry Washington (presenting NOW)?
9:31pm - Presenting now, Viola Davis. Before she taught the world HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, she appeared on Broadway in 2010's FENCES opposite Tony nominee Denzel Washington.
9:34pm - Host with the most Neil Patrick Harris is at it again. Do jokes really sound funnier with a British accent? (P. S. I liked the ANNIE movie!)
9:43pm - A fantastic send-up of BIRDMAN by Neil Patrick Harris!
9:45pm - CABARET's Sienna Miller presenting now! Guess the Sally was an understudy today? Or was there no performance?
9:46pm - Nice that the technical awards are being honored on the telecast. You think they do that for the Tonys? (Some of them, please?) Or, on the topic of sound mixing and editing, just bring certain categories back? Who's with me?
9:51pm - Nice Meryl Streep crack, Jared Leto. Meryl's nominated for her performance as The Witch in INTO THE WOODS, which was last produced on Broadway in 2002.
9:53pm - Other theatre nominees in this category: CABARET's Emma Stone. Congratulations to winner Patricia Arquette!
10:03pm - Winners' update: INTERSTELLAR just won Best Visual Effects.
10:07pm - FEAST just won Best Animated Short. Looks cute. Anyone know where I can check it out?
10:13pm - Just had to point out 'cause I caught it. The exit music into this break is the title song from CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, produced in the West End in 2002, and on Broadway in 2005. Broadway's version starred Raúl Esparza and Erin Dilly.
10:18pm - Awesome speech right NOW by Cheryl Boone Isaacs. :-) #FreedomofSpeech
10:25pm - Winners' update: Best Cinematography goes to theatre-centric BIRDMAN. Awesome movie! Looks like it's all shot in one.
10:30pm - One hour left! INTO THE WOODS' Meryl Streep takes the stage. Who thinks Meryl should conquer Broadway next/soon?
10:34pm - Chilling, tearful tribute to those we lost. :-(
10:36pm - Jennifer Hudson sings a tribute to those we lost. Broadway connection: She's been announced to play Shug Avery in THE COLOR PURPLE next season. Um... also... she's singing the song she sang in SMASH. It's called "I Can't Let Go," and it was written by HAIRSPRAY Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. I know it's a sad, sentimental moment, but how's THAT for a Broadway connection? Wow! (And P. S. she was flawless too!)
10:47pm - Presenting now, Terrence Howard. Before becoming a breakout star on FOX's GLEE-esque EMPIRE, Howard played on Broadway in the 2008 revival of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, co-starring James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad. He's presenting WHIPLASH, starring Broadway alum J. K. Simmons (GUYS AND DOLLS revival with Nathan Lane, LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR) and SELMA, starring Broadway alum Oprah Winfrey (producer of THE COLOR PURPLE) and THE IMITATION GAME. These Broadway connections can really surprise you!
10:53pm - The exit music for this break is "Falling Slowly" from the movie (and Broadway musical) ONCE, which just closed in January after a successful two-year run which included winning the Best Musical Tony in 2012!
11:02pm - Okay, I know this has nothing to do with Broadway, but that performance was incredibly moving. Standing O and tears deserved.
11:03pm - Shout out to Stephen Oremus! Music director of the Oscars, but also of Broadway's THE BOOK OF MORMON, AVENUE Q, and 9 TO 5. Nice to see you, Mr. Oremus! Fun fact: I shared an elevator with him one time this summer. True story.
11:05pm - Look who it is! Broadway's Idina Menzel!!! Um... I know what's coming. And yep. Yep. There it is. Idina's presenting with John Travolta. In all serious, though, I'm really proud of them for this. Glad they can forgive each other, laugh about it, and encourage people to forgive and forget. Seriously, guys. It was a mistake. Let it go!! Oh, oops. I guess I can't forego the FROZEN puns. :-(
11:09pm - Exit music: "Pure Imagination," from the movie (now a West End musical) CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
11:13pm - Presenting now, Tony winner -- yes, she won a Tony! -- Scarlett Johansson. She appeared on Broadway (and won her Tony) in 2010's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and then subsequently appeared in 2013's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.
11:15pm - An unexpected surprise -- a tribute to THE SOUND OF MUSIC! So that's what Lady Gaga's doing! Of course, as you all know, THE SOUND OF MUSIC film starred Broadway alum Julie Andrews (VICTOR, VICTORIA) and Christopher Plummer (most recently of INHERIT THE WIND). Prior to the film, the stage production debuted on Broadway in 1959 with SOUTH PACIFIC and PETER PAN star Mary Martin. In 1999, a revival was produced, with Tony nominee Rebecca Luker (and later, Tony winner Laura Benanti) in the lead role. And, of course, we all remember the production as the inaugural NBC live theatrically televised event, with Carrie Underwood in the lead, in 2013. That production was produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who also produced this year's Oscars telecast.
11:17pm - Damn, Lady Gaga! This is beautiful!
11:20pm - Holy crap! It's Julie Andrews herself! Fun fact: Though a seasoned Broadway performer, Andrews has never won a Tony. She was nominated in 1996 for her performance in VICTOR/VICTORIA, but famously declined her nomination, as she was the only cast member nominated. See that moment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WZ-q88WhWE
11:26pm - Yeah. This thing isn't ending at 11:30.
11:31pm - Winners' update: BIRDMAN just won Best Screenplay.
11:42pm - Best Director? He who directed BIRDMAN. Theatre-centric film FTW!
11:51pm - And the Best Actor Oscar goes to.... Eddie Redmayne for THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. Before he became a newly-minted Oscar winner, Redmayne appeared on Broadway opposite Alfred Molina in 2010's RED (f; he also played a role in 2012's film adaptation of LES MISERABLES.
11:57pm - And the Best Actress Oscar goes to... Julianne Moore for STILL ALICE, who appeared on Broadway briefly in 2006's THE VERTICAL HOUR. What role would you like to see her play on Broadway next?
12:00am - New day! Sorry... just had to do that!
12:02am - A freakin' cool magic trick! I had a feeling that was coming. Hmm...
12:04am - And the Best Picture Oscar goes to... BIRDMAN! I said it before... I'll say it again! Theatre films FTW! A great movie! If you haven't seen it yet, do it! #StayRelevant
12:14am - Thanks, guys, for staying tuned in to this page and getting all the scoop on the theatre-related nominees. Get some rest if you're on the East Coast (cuz it's late!), and when you wake up in the morning, go check out some of these awesome movies that won or were nominated tonight. And if you want more from me, please check out my reviews of all the new episodes of ABC's MODERN FAMILY this season, and my reviews of TV Land's YOUNGER, featuring Broadway's own 2-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, beginning on March 31. Until next time.... Thanks for tuning in!
Photo Credit: ABC
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