The Tony Awards 2023.....will occupy a unique niche in history - the first full fledged awards ceremony to put on on a complete 4 & 1/2 hour show without any use of scripted material. Such material, of course, would normally come from members of the Writers Guild Of America, currently on strike.
So the major thing missing, something we've all become accustomed to - absolutely no cringe-inducing cutsey-wootsy, supposedly comedic byplay between the teams of presenters.
Tony presenters merely announced their names and got on with the business of naming the nominees.
Guess what? Nobody missed the cutesy-wootsy byplay.......and I say this as a writer myself who full supports the WGA and hope their members triumph in demanding and receiving their fair share of pay from the scum-sucking reptiles who control the film studios, TV networks. and streaming channels.
This show exists for one vital primary function.......to offer America a chocolate box sampling of Broadway musicals in all their furiously choreographed, standing ovation glory. And convince visitors to New York that any one of these shows is worth laying out hundreds of dollars for a couple of tickets....
Yes, you heard me right about those prices.......these days, dinner and a show on the the Great White Way could potentially force you to take out a second mortgage, or maybe postpone your kid's college education for a few years.......
But then again, you' will watch awestruck as leading role actors burst their vocal cords belting out tunes to the upper balcony, while dancers choreographed with military precision hurl themselves across the stage like tracer bullets. Actual real people....no CGI in sight.
All of that was certainly on view at last night's Tony Awards, along with the winners' well spoken, emotional and heartfelt acceptance speeches.
Anyone who's ever watched a Tonys show (or been in high school drama club) knows that the world of theater has always been a welcoming haven and Godsend for all the gifted, creative artists of the LGBTQIA+ community. So as expected, many of the acceptance speeches addressed the toxic culture wars currently waged on them by fascist MAGA-morons of the GOP like Ron DeSenseless.
But exuberant, joyful show stopping performances are what dominated the night, with big numbers from "Some Like It Hot", "Camelot", "Shucked", "& Juliet", "Kimberly Akimbo", and "Funny Girl",,,,,(with all of them more than earning their Standing O's.....even for the thoroughly despised diva Lea Michelle, who ripped through "Don't Rain On My Parade" at warp speed...)
I can only wish them well and hope these shows can collect enough tourists willing to cough up the vast amounts of cash required to secure them tickets and take in the unique thrill of live theater.
Well done, loads of fun and just about the only awards show I actually look forward to seeing year after year. 5 stars (*****)
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