A place where all denizens of Dames Nation can gather and kvell over the 2019 Tony Awards. Conversation starter: what, in your opinion, are some of the most satisfying wins and heartbreaking losses from previous years?
I'll cop to being way more Enthusiastically Open To Broadway than Actually Knowledgeable About Broadway. Are any of my fellow quasi-newbies in the house this evening?
Depends on the year...a friend of mine is like a Broadway encyclopedia, and does Broadway weekends where she'll fly to NY from Chicago and see like 4 shows. She keeps me updated and throws a Tony's party *almost* every year. This year, she's overseas, so I am coming into the broadcast fairly cold (tho did listen to the PCHH ep).
Same! I thought he might ditch it for a costume change after the opening number but am delighted to see he's sticking with it. I give my darling Harry some credit for this!
I am so happy Ali Stroker won, but I just want to say, it kind of says a lot that she had to sit backstage because there is no accessible way to get on the stage without walking up stairs and how awkward would that have been for her if she didn't win?
I have been saying this pretty much every time I watch an awards show for years. How much easier would a ramp be for everyone??? Especially anyone wearing long skirts/gowns.
When Ali Stroker was in her first Broadway musical (Deaf West's production of Spring Awakening), I read an article (though I didn't confirm) that said that the theater backstage had to be remodeled to make it accessible and that supposedly no other backstage areas on Broadway were accessible. I was both shocked and not shocked simultaneously, which sadly happens to me a lot on this topic.
It’s true. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done to update the theatres that were built a very long time ago. And producers often don’t want to have empty theatres long enough to do the work. Unclear how they get away with it
A lot of places that should be aren't accessible. Definitely doesn't make it alright, but I think most places get away with it mostly because complaints haven't been filed and, in many cases, they honestly haven't thought about it (which again, doesn't make it better)
It’s completely normal that every time Billy Porter is on screen I work “Like me, he is also from Pittsburgh and went to CMU” into the conversation, right?
A better memory than the UNSPEAKABLE tragedy of the 2017 Tonys - Avenue Q's unexpected Best Musical win in 2004. I think I actually screamed out loud, I was so gleefully surprised.
Hello resident stage manager here, very bad human who forgot about the Tonys tonight (*THE* AWARDS CEREMONY OF MY PROFESSION) and was gardening instead, but I am here now and very open to gossiping about anyone I know in the industry (to a degree ha)
I’m not in NYC right now (Utah for summer stock!), so I definitely have no skin in the game, although I love Hadestown and I have a friend working on Oklahoma!
Oh no yes we are delayed one hour out here in mountain time, so we just had the Ain’t Too Proud performance, so I may have to bow out so I don’t get further spoiled!!
There's this moment in Act Two when Orpheus is singing his song and, Reeve Carney, whatever, but the slow way that Patrick Page falls into the song and lets himself be consumed by his grief for the relationship that's withering away as Hades slowly crosses the stage towards Persephone....anyway, I cried a lot.
No, don't sweat it, it's not a big deal! I'm curious to know if the tone of this performance matches the musical as a whole or if they turned up the...zeitgeistiness, maybe?
Yes! I’ve been lead to believe Alex brightman(Beetlejuice) got to write some of these pointed jokes for the performance. So I bet they turned it up for the evening.
Awww, they mentioned CMU just for your, our CMU graduate dame!
I modestly refrained from mentioning Josh Groban went to CMU for like 6 months. Please clap.
Not all heroes wear capes!
A heartbreaking loss from previous years: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Nominated for 12 awards and only won 2-- tragedy!!
came here just to say this
glad to know we ALL AGREE on this point.
JUSTICE FOR RACHEL CHAVKIN
And, like, best book--fine, Dave didn't deserve that. But I will NEVER BE OVER him losing Best Orchestrations. N E V E R.
N E V E R O V E R I T
CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, HELLO SIR, HELLO
KING OF THE BUTTERY-VOICED GENIUS DREAMBOATS
Always SO weird to see Rachel Brosnahan with blonde hair.
I love Kristen Chenoweth so much but that bronzer is Very Not Great
I loved her as Lavinia Peck-Foster in Trial & Error so much.
she was INCREDIBLE
Is she...made of plastic now?
I feel so bad for her. That facial expression is going to be horribly, horribly giffed & will last forever
I'll cop to being way more Enthusiastically Open To Broadway than Actually Knowledgeable About Broadway. Are any of my fellow quasi-newbies in the house this evening?
I’m a play person- I literally had to make a list of musicals to learn for trivia. *mumbles giLBert was the LiBrettist to self*
I'm knowledgeable about local-to-me theater (DC) but I don't know much about Broadway shows unless they get super popular
Depends on the year...a friend of mine is like a Broadway encyclopedia, and does Broadway weekends where she'll fly to NY from Chicago and see like 4 shows. She keeps me updated and throws a Tony's party *almost* every year. This year, she's overseas, so I am coming into the broadcast fairly cold (tho did listen to the PCHH ep).
My friend Kellie is in this category & I credit her with a smooth 75% of my Broadway awareness, acquired mostly via Twitter & Instagram osmosis
🙋Not super knowledgeable, though I've gotten to go to a few of the shows nominated this time since moving to NYC.
We use the Tonys to figure out what we like
A great use of an awards show, honestly
I do like James Corden's cranberry blazer with the hot pink lapels
Same! I thought he might ditch it for a costume change after the opening number but am delighted to see he's sticking with it. I give my darling Harry some credit for this!
This honestly seems right to me
It's headcanon now!
Rats, he changed it to something far less interesting
WTF Choir Boy closed in March????? That show should have been a smash
I have a feeling it had to do with Jeremy Pope leaving to do Ain’t too Proud. Still a tragedy.
Just based on that one performance, it's clear we all missed out on something remarkable
Thanks for taking part in this open thread experiment, friends! We'll do this again soon! <3
I am so happy Ali Stroker won, but I just want to say, it kind of says a lot that she had to sit backstage because there is no accessible way to get on the stage without walking up stairs and how awkward would that have been for her if she didn't win?
I was thinking the same thing!
I have been saying this pretty much every time I watch an awards show for years. How much easier would a ramp be for everyone??? Especially anyone wearing long skirts/gowns.
Yeah, it's kind of shocking that RCMH wouldn't have an accessible way to reach the stage from the audience here in 2019
When Ali Stroker was in her first Broadway musical (Deaf West's production of Spring Awakening), I read an article (though I didn't confirm) that said that the theater backstage had to be remodeled to make it accessible and that supposedly no other backstage areas on Broadway were accessible. I was both shocked and not shocked simultaneously, which sadly happens to me a lot on this topic.
It’s true. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done to update the theatres that were built a very long time ago. And producers often don’t want to have empty theatres long enough to do the work. Unclear how they get away with it
A lot of places that should be aren't accessible. Definitely doesn't make it alright, but I think most places get away with it mostly because complaints haven't been filed and, in many cases, they honestly haven't thought about it (which again, doesn't make it better)
Catherine O'Hara's dress. That is all.
Perfectly balancing both Moira and the set of Beetlejuice. *Chef's kiss*
THANK GOD THEY GOT THAT ONE RIGHT, TONY AWARD WINNER RACHEL CHAVKIN!!!!!
I CAN GO HOME HAPPY (lollllllllllll not if they slight Anais I will cut them to pieces)
I know nothing about Andre Shields but I can tell I will be crying by the end of this speech
He's OUTSTANDING in this production!
Y’all I am at the Tonys and they’ve been doing commercial break karaoke and Billy Porter just did Rose’s Turn and I am DECEASED.
WOW TO BE THERE WITH YOU?????
I HAVE VIDEO!
!!!!!!
I need to share it with Dames Nation. Can I email it to the twobossydames address?
Yes please! twobossydames at gmail
*casually drops 2 of the Boys in the Band also went to CMU*
*everyone at the party casually edges away from me*
I'm bummed Amber didn't win, but I am SO PLEASED for Ali Stroker
Well shit now I guess we need to go see The Prom
That performance was a pure delight start to finish
WE ARE AGLOW
First named woman to be named and also win for sound design!! Jessica Paz with Hadestown!
It’s completely normal that every time Billy Porter is on screen I work “Like me, he is also from Pittsburgh and went to CMU” into the conversation, right?
I think if you don't mention it, your degree could be revoked, so best to do it just to be on the safe side
absolutely!
And his uterus dress!
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billy-porter-2019-tony-awards-look-has-pro-choice-uterus-motif-1216756
Rumor is that it’s the curtain from Kinky Boots!
It is! https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/09/theater/tony-awards-red-carpet.html
Like the way I always find a way to mention that Anais Mitchell and I grew up in the same town and went to the same college? :-D
A better memory than the UNSPEAKABLE tragedy of the 2017 Tonys - Avenue Q's unexpected Best Musical win in 2004. I think I actually screamed out loud, I was so gleefully surprised.
Josh Groban, my son whom I raised! (All the Comet kids are my children whom I raised, I don't make the rules.)
Also, I would like Josh Groban and Sarah Bareilles back, plz
They were delightful!
Hello resident stage manager here, very bad human who forgot about the Tonys tonight (*THE* AWARDS CEREMONY OF MY PROFESSION) and was gardening instead, but I am here now and very open to gossiping about anyone I know in the industry (to a degree ha)
I’m a dresser on Broadway!! No skin in the game this year thank goodness. Nice to meet you fellow theatre dame
I’m not in NYC right now (Utah for summer stock!), so I definitely have no skin in the game, although I love Hadestown and I have a friend working on Oklahoma!
I haven't seen all the shows (or even all the musicals), but I really liked Oklahoma!
Where are you at in Utah? I did a summer at Utah shakes many moons ago! And I know the wardrobe supervisor at Tuacahn
Utah Shakes! My fourth summer!
Also I am in mountain time so I’m an hour behind on the telecast I believe!
I would like Andre DeShields’ jacket please.
And his tie, and his shoes...
I love Andrew Rannells
Oh no yes we are delayed one hour out here in mountain time, so we just had the Ain’t Too Proud performance, so I may have to bow out so I don’t get further spoiled!!
I'm pleased for Andre De Shields, but honestly, I was gunning for Patrick Page. God, his FACE makes me FEEL FEELINGS.
There's this moment in Act Two when Orpheus is singing his song and, Reeve Carney, whatever, but the slow way that Patrick Page falls into the song and lets himself be consumed by his grief for the relationship that's withering away as Hades slowly crosses the stage towards Persephone....anyway, I cried a lot.
of course, his best performance imho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RgR0-EWuNY
Bryan Cranston can get it.
evergreen sentiment
Still so mad Rachel Bloom isn't hosting tonight
lol jinx https://twitter.com/twobossydames/status/1137872789719982080
I think of your tweet about it from several months ago, like, daily
More mad with every passing minute of this mess.
AGREED
Now so am I! I didn't know there was a chance of that.
There was really only a chance of it in our dreams....but still
Yay Hadestown for set/sound/lighting design and orchestrations!
I’m putting into the universe that Rachel Chavkin will becomes a satisfying win!! Tonight is her night!
Wow, The Ferryman is cleaning up among plays, huh?
The Ferryman playwright is going rogue!! Live TV/theatre!!
About time Celia Keenan-Bolger won a Tony!
I was....very unimpressed with that choice for Hadestown, a show I do actually like.
For whatever it's worth, that was my first exposure to it & I was transported
I'm very glad to hear that!
Then it is doing it's job! It does not need to win me over, but I'm glad it's at least reaching out to folks who aren't familiar with it!
Anyone want to place their bets as to which song Hadestown will perform? I know “Why We Build the Wall” is the favorite.
I hope they go for one of the brighter songs, like "Our Lady of the Underground"
I think someone posted a picture from dress on Twitter and the chorus was in their underground/worker costumes
I’m gonna bet Wait for Me
But like. The reprise. Cause they’d be missing a key element from the first
Also I would like to discuss Reeve Carney’s CHOICE of an outfit
Reeve Carney: You Can't Say He's Not Trying, But Also He Seems Trying
For context: https://twitter.com/schlife/status/1137870411415392256
I had the exact opposite reaction. What struck a bum note for you?
Visually SO COOL THOUGH
I enjoy being pandered to, I guess!
Oh noooo. I came off more discouraging than I meant. I’m so sorry.
No, don't sweat it, it's not a big deal! I'm curious to know if the tone of this performance matches the musical as a whole or if they turned up the...zeitgeistiness, maybe?
Yes! I’ve been lead to believe Alex brightman(Beetlejuice) got to write some of these pointed jokes for the performance. So I bet they turned it up for the evening.