Our 2012 Tony Host Is...

I realize this choice of host is not the most exciting or unexpected, but I still love it. NPH is a natural-born Master of Ceremonies; he is charming, humble, engaging & articulate. He has hosted the Tony Awards twice (2009 & 2011); other hosting credits include the Emmy Awards (2009) & SPIKE’s Video Game Awards (2010). He also made a surprise appearance at the 2010 Academy Awards when he presented the opening musical number. Most recently (and most unrelated), he served as the co-host on Live! With Kelly from Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2011. I watch Live! With Kelly religiously while getting ready for work in the morning (no judgment); she has had a variety of hosts since Regis left & NPH has hands-down been the best so far [with Nick Lache as a distant runner-up. Weird, I know]. NPH has only played the best of roles on Broadway, my favorite being his 2003 portrayal of The Emcee in Broadway’s revival of Cabaret (opposite Deborah Gibson & Tom Bosley). His critically-acclaimed performance earned him the title of Top-Drawing Headiner by GuestStarCasting.com [beating out John Stamos & Alan Cumming]. This honor just reaffirms his capability to captivate a crowd & truly master a ceremony.

Other noted stage credits...
*Tobias Ragg in concert performances of Sweeney Todd (2001)
*Hal in Proof opposite Anne Heche (2002)
*Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins (2004)
*Mark in a touring production of Rent [which he parodied on SNL in 2009]
*Bobby in Company with Patti LuPone & New York Philharmonic (2011)
He also directed a production of Rent that ran at Hollywood Bowl in August 2010. It featured Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi, with whom NPH worked with on the film Beastly.

...as well as notable roles on television:
Since fall 2005, NPH has played Barney Stinson on the awesome CBS ensemble comedy How I Met Your Mother (earning Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy Series in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). And the obvious, awesome, & universal appeal of Sir Neil Patrick Harris. Before ER, Meredith Grey, & Dr. House, there was Doogie Howser, M.D, the trailblazer of the medical TV trend.  

Tony's Part II: MY Tony's

Two days ago marked the
one-year anniversary of my move to Chicago.
How fitting & convenient that my anniversary
coincides with the Tony season.
So, it feels only appropriate to give
my own minature, very-limited, Chicago Tony Awards
For My Year:

Best Play: The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
Best Musical: Passing Strange

Best Leading Actor: Andrew Jessop
Best Leading Actress: Lauren Hirte

Best Supporting Actor: Vance Smith
Best Supporting Actress: Darci Napela

Best Costume Design: Peter Pan
Best Set Design: Cherrywood

2011 Tony Awards

It is a funny Tony year for me. I have absolutely no interest in The Book of Mormon, which was the obvious & dominating winner. I'm sure it is so funny, articulately-written, & well-performed, but I dislike the subject matter so much that the quality of the production is irrelevant. I cannot find merit in a musical whose entire purpose to mock a religion, even if it isn't mine. If the musical was of the same quality, but the jokes had been directed towards sexual orientation, race, or a religion that is no so openly-mockable, I am curious to how it would have been received. Artistic expression seems acceptable as long as the majority can join in the group that is doing the criticizing rather than the group being criticized. Usually, I am so excited about watching the Tony's, but New York's theatre scene has been less than intriguing for me lately.

Chris Rock presented the Tony for Best Musical. I would really love to hear the legitimization for this decision, since this is the most important award of the evening, and should be presented by someone who has at least one legit foot in the theatre world (The MotherF**ker With The Hat does not legitimize him as stage actor to me). And what’s worse...Chris Rock presented the award to Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone from South Park & Avenue Q fame. I like South Park & can appreciate Avenue Q, even though I’m not a cartoon fan. But it is difficult to accept that the perspective & style of these writers has been translated into the best American musical of this season. It ended on a note that felt more VMA's than Tony's, which is not the appropriate tone for the Broadway I used to know.  

I miss the Old Broadway. I am grateful that I grew to love Broadway & musicals in the late-1990’s because Broadway was authentic & exciting then. I remember subscribing to InTheatre magazine, a retired tabloid for the Broadway world because there was a Broadway community with its’ own exciting news, gossip, & rumors. That community has splintered from contemporary/potential Broadway legends being replaced by mediocre Hollywood actors, vacant & over-the-top productions, and big-ticket pricing. It’s funny that they made a point to mention that this was Broadway’s highest grossing year. Well, of course it was, since tickets cost $100+ these days. In my Broadway childhood, there were always $15 back-row tickets to Les Miz & Phantom, great student discounts, & the halfprice TKTS Discount Booth in Times Square was guaranteed to never disappoint in quality, price, & availability. The Old Broadway was warm & approachable; this New Broadway just seems cold, expensive, & weird.

Lookingglass Wins Regional Tony!