I don’t wish to bash the Tony awards from my deck chair, for awards can serve to recognize excellence (notice I say “can” instead of “do,” for nominating committees are not always savvy observers and thinkers). But if the New York theatre establishment wishes to remain Command Central for US theatre, the televised awards need to do more than the usual song and dance routine.
Consider the Tony’s LA counterpart, the Oscar. That program broadcasts scenes from the nominated films, showcasing the acting nominees. Granted, a theater performance is a live construct while a film performance is easily captured for eternity on, well, film. Still, it seems to me that if the producers are willing to spend a fortune on production numbers, why not spend a few bucks on re-enacting short scenes from the plays? It might mean that the nominees can’t spend the whole evening sitting in the audience in tuxes and gowns, but it gives them a chance to show off what it is they hopefully do: really act. I know, I know—add such scenes and the evening will spin out into the wee hours of Monday. But surely musical numbers can be trimmed—especially the emcee routines.
Which brings me around to what I’m really wondering: how did the Tonys and the Oscars become vehicles for the emcee? Come on, folks. We watch the ceremonies to study the nominees and discover the winners—who hopefully speak no longer than a minute THANKING people instead of gushing on about politics, philosophy and/or attained wisdom. That said, returning to Sunday’s telecast--how does the emcee number “It’s Not for Gays Anymore” serve Command Central? Plenty of potential visitors to the Big Apple arrive from the fly-over kingdom. For them, “Aren’t we wonderfully liberal” slogans can be a real turn off. (Yes, really—and it isn’t because they aren’t enlightened individuals. Many simply prefer their theatrical experiences to be moments of discovery instead of blatant propaganda.) So Neil Patrick Harris’s number, even though well-hoofed, decreases the chances of busing the Heartland in to Broadway. And that defeats the whole point of an awards program, doesn’t it? Drumming up new business? Making that next buck? Or I should say, C-notes?
Signing off with a refreshment,
Your Deck Devotee
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