The 2003 Tony Awards - Who Wins and Why!

 

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 New York media.  And that is a shame, given all she has done for Broadway.  But she does not deserve the Tony she will likely win on Sunday.  Marissa Jaret Winokur deserves it for her breakout performance in "Hairspray."  The Tony Voters love a gutsy newcomer.  But they also love gutsy veterans.  And, given the assumption laid down in the first paragraph, "Gypsy" needs more "help" in the box office than does the wildly successful "Hairspray."  For that reason, Bernadette gets the plaque.

 

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 Harvey for his commitment to the genre.  And if they don't… shame on them!

 

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 9^th, 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.

 

For more information about "On Broadway, XM-28" click http://onbroadway.xmradio.com.

 

Listen to Your Jovial Impresario, Broadway Bill Schmalfeldt, weekdays from 10a-2p Eastern on America's only LIVE, nationwide satellite radio show tune request show – "Demand Performance."