The Tonys Happened

So, the Tonys happened last night. I pretty much said what I wanted to say about them in my live tweets, but in case you haven't had enough Tony coverage yet, here are my short and sweet overall thoughts on the evening.

This was one of my favorite Tony telecasts in a long time. Although there were some definite favorites going in, nothing was a sure thing. And that made it all the more exciting when people like Steve Kazee (Once), who gave the most moving speech in a night of moving speeches, Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher), Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur), and Judith Light (Other Desert Cities) won. I wanted them to win, I thought they probably would win, but there were no guarantees. And there were some genuine surprises like the adorable James Corden (One Man, Two Guvnors) winning lead actor in a play over Philip Seymour Hoffman (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman). I also loved that the awards were spread out between eleven shows so that most of the play and musical nominees got something. So you could have Clybourne Park deservedly win best play, and then have Peter and the Starcatcher win mostly technical awards for its beautiful production values.

The rest of the award show was entertaining, getting off to a solid start with The Book of Mormon opening and Neil Patrick Harris's number answering the question what if life were like theater (because who doesn't want that). Most of the musical numbers sold their shows well, especially Newsies, Once, and Peter and the Starcatcher--a play (shocking!). I'm going to guess that Peter and the Starcatcher will benefit the most from the telecast based on a totally unscientific survey. A co-worker who was interested in Peter before the Tony performance told me she bought a ticket to the show today. My sister has a list of shows she wants to see when she comes to New York. Peter was towards the bottom. After last night, it rose to almost the top of that list.

In case you missed the show, or you just want to relive your favorite moments, the complete telecast is online at CBS.com.

Murder in the First at 59E59

I was drawn to Murder in the First mostly because I was curious to see Chad Kimball in a role other than Huey Calhoun in Memphis. And from the moment this 1940s courtroom drama begins, with Kimball naked and writhing like an animal on the floor, I knew this was different territory. Kimball plays Willie Moore, a man on trial for murdering a fellow inmate with a spoon after three years of solitary confinement in Alcatraz.

Henry Davidson (Guy Burnet) is assigned to the case--his first ever--because it's open and shut. But Henry sees an opportunity to put Alcatraz on trial for the inhumane treatment of Willie. The friendship between Henry and Willie is compelling, but playwright Dan Gordon includes other unnecessary story lines. He introduces the character of Henry's fiancé Mary (Larisa Polonsky) and his brother Byron (John Stanisci), but doesn't flesh them out fully enough to warrant the amount of scenes they have. Director Michael Parva has assembled a large cast to give an authentic feel of the courtroom, and it's a nice touch to have the actors treat the audience as jury.

As for Kimball, he doesn't completely erase the memory of Huey, especially when he draws out his words, but he does give a layered and intense performance, inciting feelings of both fear and sympathy for the volatile and innocent Willie.

2011-2012 ITBA Patrick Lee Award Recipients

As a member of The Independent Theater Bloggers Association (the “ITBA”), I'm happy to share with you the 2012 recipients of the Fourth Annual Patrick Lee Theater Blogger Awards, (“the
Patricks”). Patrick Lee was one of the ITBA's founding members. Patrick passed away
suddenly in June 2010, and was an erudite, passionate, and tireless advocate for theater
in all its forms. Patrick was also the ITBA's first awards director, and was a regular
contributor to Theatermania and TDF Stages.

The 2011-2012 Patrick Lee Theater Blogger Award Winners (you can probably guess which ones I voted for):

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
Peter and the Starcatcher

CITATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE BY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS (Across Off-
Off Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Broadway)
Nina Arianda in Venus in Fur
Christian Borle in Peter and the Starcatcher
Philip Boykin in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess
Danny Burstein in Follies
James Corden in One Man, Two Guvnors
Santino Fontana, in Sons of a Prophet
Judy Kaye in Nice Work If You Can Get It
Judith Light in Other Desert Cities
Jan Maxwell in Follies
Lindsay Mendez in Godspell
Terri White in Follies

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
Once

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
Peter and the Starcatcher

OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL
Follies

OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL
Death of a Salesman

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF BROADWAY PLAY
Sons of the Prophet

OUTSTANDING OFF-OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
Samuel & Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War by The Mad Ones at The
New Ohio Theatre
&
She Kills Monsters at the Flea Theatre

UNIQUE OFF-OFF BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
The Tenant by Woodshed Collective

CITATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN OFF-OFF BROADWAY THEATRE
The Flea Theatre

OUTSTANDING SOLO SHOW/PERFORMANCES (Across Broadway, off-
Broadway and Off-Off Broadway)
Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway
Denis O'Hare, An Iliad, New York Theatre Workshop
Zoe Caldwell, Elective Affinities, Soho Rep
Juan Francisco Villa, Empanada for a Dream, Ballybeg at Barrow Group
Stephen Spinella, An Iliad, New York Theatre Workshop
Daniel Kitson, It's Always Right Now Until It's Later
Lorinda Lositza, Triumphant Baby

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF BROADWAY MUSICAL
Now. Here. This.

The ITBA, is comprised of bloggers who regularly see live performances in all its
forms in New York City and beyond. Members are in New York, Boston, Chicago,
Minneapolis, and London. For further information and a list of our members, our website
is www.theaterbloggers.com. If you are interested in learning more about the ITBA,
email info@theaterbloggers.com. To invite the members of the ITBA to your show or
event, please send an email to invite@theaterbloggers.com.