The 2003 Tony Awards - Who Wins and Why!
By: Broadway Bill Schmalfeldt Jun. 02, 2003
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One reply? I spend 7 minutes writing a column and get one reply? Goodness. Let's hope for better numbers this week! In fact, if you'd like to win a free DVD, you must read all the way through this week! (Jeez. Gotta BRIBE people to read this thing???)
It's Tony Time! And that means its time to predict the winners for the musical categories. Now, let us assume (as we must) that the Tony Awards have nothing whatsoever to do with theatrical excellence, but are – instead – a promotional tool used by the producers to bring nationwide attention to the shows the aforementioned producers which to promote. (Disagree? Fine. Explain why "Urinetown" won Best Director, Best Score, Best Book and NOT Best Musical last year? Huh? You can't? Didn't think so.)
Don't fret. When one is comfortable with that assumption, one can just plod on through these predictions by putting one's self in the patent leather shoes of those who are making these decisions. So let us plod, shall we?
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Jane Krakowski should win for her sleek, sexy performance in the revival of "Nine." Too bad. She probably will not win. Tammy Blanchard also deserves the award as the gawky teen turned stunning stripper in "Gypsy." She will win. The Tony Voters will want Gypsy to have a few victories. This will probably be one of them.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
John Dossett is Herbie in the revival of Gypsy. His Tony will be another award Tony Voters bestow on the musical. Will they will have to make do with two? Read on.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Bernadette Peters has been unfairly abused in the
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
If Harvey Fierstein does NOT get this award, there is no justice. I think the Tony Voters know this as well, even though they really WANT to give it to Antonio Banderas for his performance as Antonio Banderas as Guido Contini in the revival of Nine. (Yes. Antonio Banderas as Antonio Banderas as Guido Contini.) After all, Antonio is going to go on to make musical movies even MORE popular in the upcoming "Phantom of the Opera" and it would sure help if he had a "Best Actor" Tony in his pocket, wouldn't it? Be that as it may, the Tony Voters will likely reward
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
The Revival of Nine. 'Nuff Said.
BEST MUSICAL
"Hairspray" wins. "Amour" was nice, but was quirky and it has closed already. "A Year With Frog and Toad" was delightful. But its appeal is limited. "Movin' Out" could be the "Contact" of 2003 I suppose, and probably would be if not for "Hairspray."
OTHER AWARDS
Baz Luhrman will win Best Direction for a Musical for "La Boheme." Twla Tharp gets Best Choreography for "Movin' Out." Billy Joel and Stuart Malina get Best Orchestrations for "Movin' Out."
And there's the winners as I see 'em. Tune in to our LIVE Tony Award Party, Sunday night from 7-midnight (Eastern) "On Broadway, XM-28" to see if I know what the hell I'm talking about!
I'm Giving Stuff Away!!!
Wanna win a free copy of the new DVD of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's 1994 Tony Award winning "Best Musical" – Passion? It'll be released on June 10 by the good folks at Image Entertainment.
You can listen to XM Satellite Radio's channel of show tunes, "On Broadway, XM-28." OR, you can "private message" me with the answer to this question. Include your name and e-mail address. Next Monday, the 9th, I will choose a winner from those of you who do so.
The question…
In Passion, who played the lovely, sensual, and married "Clara"?
"Private Message" your answer, and you could get a free copy of the DVD!
For more information about XM Satellite Radio, go to www.xmradio.com.
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