Jessie Mueller, whom I have been touting on here for years, finally got what was coming to her--a TONY Award, for Best Actress In A Musical, for her brilliant turn as Carole King in the bio musical, "Beautiful," the greatest bio turn in performance on the musical stage, since BARBRA did "Funny Girl," 50 years ago! Jessie, who has been called The Woman Of 100 Voices, is now officially a Legend Of The Musical Stage!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't have been happier!
Same goes for Audra, (MacDonald, that is!!!!!!!!!) who, winning Best Actress In A Play for "Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill," playing Billie Holiday, made TONY History, by winning her sixth award. No actor--not even Angela Lansbury, or the late Julie Harris, with five each--has done that. Since first winning for "Carousel," in 1994, 20 years ago, Audra, when one calculates, has gone on to win a TONY on an average of every third or so year! Wonder if she will beat her own record????????? Stay turned to find out!
Jessie, Carole King, and the "Beautiful " cast singing--the evening's unquestionable musical highlight!
But what is wrong with these TONY voters!
Celia Keenan-Bolger was robbed. She coiffed up her hair, looked lovely in a red gown resembling the one she wore on 'SVU', and was fully expected to win for redefining Laura in "The Glass Menagerie." But, to give it to that Miss Thing from "A Raisin In The Sun?" And what is it with this play? It has been done ad nauseum, and,yet, last night, every other word or award was a reference to it! Go on to something else, people!
What was Hugh Jackman doing at the opening????? Trying to show his prowess as an endurance athlete? Auditioning for the role of Cassie in "A Chorus Line?" You tell me! Once he settled down though, he was fine. As for Neil Patrick Harris, all his posturing as 'Hedwig' proved is that, if he wants to, he has a great future, working as a prostitute, down along the West Side Highway!!!!!!!!!
I got new for you, Neil--for those who know, John Cameron Mitchell will ALWAYS be Hedwig! You are just some cheap knock off!
When I watched Sutton Foster and "Violet," I was so genuinely impressed--one of the few times during the evening I was--I feared she would take the trophy from Jessie! But not to fear; I think even Suttton knew this was Jessie's Night!!!!!!!!! Especially if she has seen the show! And didn't Jessie look stunning and radiant in that gown, with that smile, and her hair???????? And how about Sutton's outfit?????????! Good thing she danced with Hugh, so we could all get a look at it! It was like Cinderella at the ball! Just think--Sutton is 38, and she can still pull this off!!!!!!!!!! How many of us can say that, girls?????????????
But the majority of what was handed out last night would not pass muster at an elementary school pageant. You would think that, now with Isabelle Stevenson pushing up daisies, they would clear the TONY voter members of all coots and codgers! Guess not!
And who are these unknown, flash in the pan actress presenters???? Why not the likes of Blythe, MERYL, Donna McKechnie, Angela Lansbury, Patti Lu Pone--you know, people who have done real work and mean something to Broadway!!!!!!!!!!!! Not these wannabes in gossamer like dresses, with less sparkle and talent than the actress playing Kari, the Sparkle Fairy, on those TV ads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know what I think????????? The TONY Awards--voting, and show--should be turned over to the only ones out there who really know--Theater Queens. Of course, there would be some hair pulling during rehearsals, but, when isn't there hair pulling with a gathering of Theater Queens????????????
At least, with Those In The Know, the right vehicles and actors would get awarded. And you would not have to listen to dreck like another rehash of "Cabaret," and a mediocrity like "Bullets Over Broadway!"
What counts, and will be remembered, was that this was The Year Of Jessie Mueller!
Stay in the show a bit longer, Jessie! I am coming back for another visit!
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