The Tonys were named after a girl – and a Denver girl at that – but tonight’s Tony Awards just might be all about the “Boys.”
“The History Boys” and “Jersey Boys” are among the favorites for best play and musical when Broadway honors its own in a three-hour televised ceremony from Radio City Music Hall (KCNC-Channel 4, 7 p.m.)
“Jersey Boys,” the story of pop icons Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is up against the whimsical underdog “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and adaptations of “The Color Purple” and “The Wedding Singer.”
“I would not bet on this one,” said Randy Weeks, Denver Center for the Performing Arts president, a voter for 14 years. “In those first three you have three very strong shows that could not be more different.”
“The Color Purple,” based on Alice Walker’s novel about a black girl who survives all manner of abuse, has thrived thanks to a strong book and producer Oprah Winfrey’s considerable marketing clout.
Voting for best musical and best play are expected to be among the closest in the Tonys’ 60-year history. That’s good news for CBS, great news for fans and over-the-moon news for promoters such as Weeks who are salivating to bring solid new touring musicals to cities like Denver after a recent dearth of quality material.
“We know ‘Color Purple’ and ‘Jersey Boys’ are going to tour; we know (2005 winner) ‘Spamalot’ is coming, and I would definitely book ‘Drowsy Chaperone,”‘ Weeks said.
Some are viewing a “Jersey Boys” victory as the latest sign of the Broadway apocalypse, which is laughable considering it just sold 12 million tickets and generated $861.6 million in revenue for the season, both records. But it would be the first “jukebox musical” – based on pre-existing pop music – to win. Smash hits “Mamma Mia” and “Movin’ Out” are among those snubbed by the Tonys.
“‘Jersey Boys’ is fantastic. I absolutely loved it,” said Weeks. “But I suppose I agree the winner should have an original book and music, so that probably disqualifies it – though it does tell a great story.”
The surprise hit “The Drowsy Chaperone,” the only fully original nominee, leads all shows with 13 nods, but the past two leaders – “Wicked” and “The Light in the Piazza” – were both denied the top prize. It’s the story of a hard-core middle-aged musical-theater fan who drops the needle on his favorite LP, the cast album of a 1928 musical that magically bursts to life. As the onstage and backstage action unfolds, our narrator weaves in and out offering comic commentary.
“What this year means is that poor kid in ‘A Chorus Line’ who was worried about the Broadway musical dying in 1975 can stop worrying,” Weeks said.
For best play, Alan Bennett’s “History Boys” is up against “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” Denver favorite Martin McDonagh’s comic, blood-splattered tale of a sadistic Irish terrorist who loves his kitty; Conor McPherson’s adult ghost story “Shining City”; and “Rabbit Hole,” David Lindsay-Abaire’s heartbreaking look at a couple coping with the death of a son.
But most are predicting a win for “History Boys,” the inspiring story of a class of English teens aspiring to a place at Oxford. It a noble play that speaks to the purpose of education.
It was a big year for star vehicles such as “The Odd Couple,” featuring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, Julia Roberts in “Three Days of Rain” and Ralph Fiennes in “Faith Healer.” Prominent crossover stars who are nominated include Harry Connick Jr. (“The Pajama Game”), Tyne Daly (“Rabbit Hole”), Chita Rivera (“A Dancer’s Life”), Mark Ruffalo (“Awake and Sing”), Paul Rudd (“Three Days of Rain”), Cynthia Nixon (“Rabbit Hole”), Julianna Margulies (“Festen”), Lynn Redgrave (“The Constant Wife”) and Oliver Platt (“Shining Star”).
Tonight’s telecast will have no single host but touts 60 celebrity appearances, including Roberts, Winfrey, Martin Short, James Earl Jones, Glenn Close, Stanley Tucci, Alfre Woodard, Kristin Bell, Kyra Sedgwick, David Hyde Pierce, Rosie Perez and Hank Azaria.
Denver Post wire services contributed to this report.
