Well, dear readers, first things first rather than second things first, which only causes chaos and disarray, not necessarily in that order. So, first things first – we had our Annual Tony Award Bash and while there were few attendees, we did okay, posting-wise – 429 as of this moment, but that will probably go up by the time the notes go up. As to the show, it was perhaps the worst Tony broadcast ever, at least for me. Of course, when the shows all look and sound the same and everyone’s singing at the top of their lungs and every high note gets screams from the audience, well, not for me, kiddies, not for me. The only time we got respite was Old Friend from Merrily We Roll Along, a real theater song with no grandstanding, just lyrics that come from story and more importantly from character. I’m so sick of lyrics that sing AT you – platitudes and statements that have nothing to do with how an actual person would sing a lyric. No real tunes (if you want a rock musical with tunes, we got that – Tommy, although I hated the staging and singing of it), just loud and relentless. The opening number, for me, was the worst opening number ever done anywhere at any time – terrible song, and ography by Ms. Ariana DeBose that was as bad as it gets. I do not understand what in Ms. DeBose’s career would make her a Tony host (second year, yet). She’s preachy/speechy (while I know there are writers, I also know she instructs as to content), and brings nothing at all to her hosting chores. The host should have some real Broadway star power – yes, she’s appeared in the ensemble of several Broadway shows, she’s starred in one of the biggest movie musical flops in history (we all know it was a box office disaster, but no one knows just how MUCH of a disaster it really was, because power players keep as much of that silent as possible) and she starred in the cable movie of The Prom and was on Schmigadoon, not exactly a powerhouse success, which is why it was cancelled. The ography on view (I refuse to call it choreography) is just awful and all the same. Then there were the endless speeches, most of them written and read from papers or phone – what ever happened to the glory days when an actor or director or whoever would win, go up and thank a few people, and get off. Smart actors know when to get off. Most of the Facebook comments I’ve seen are not good – and yet, on the Cast Album Collectors group, we got the I LOVED IT, EVERY NUMBER WAS A SHOWSTOPPER. I don’t know what universe that person or the two people who chimed in with I LOVED IT are in, but I don’t want to visit there, sorry. In thinking about it, that should have been second things second because first things first should have been our stumble-through.
So, second things second that should have been first things first – we had us a very good stumble-through – a few lyric fumfers (what else is new) but mostly very smooth and, more importantly, very moving. We’re never going to see the like of a Richard Sherman (or his brother) again. The show order worked like a charm, and it never felt long to me, even though there are three songs more than we usually have. Cast is great. I gave a few notes afterwards, mostly subtle things, and some tempo adjustments, and I added one key change to the end of a song, as I felt it needed a little lift to get us to the end.
Earlier, I got nine hours of good sleep, got up, the Darling Daughter sent me a gift card for DoorDash and the card said “Dad of the Century” – I wasn’t that, but I like that she says it. We grew up together – I was only twenty-two when she was born. But we had wonderful adventures, laughed a lot, sang and danced a lot, and that’s what we remember. After the stumble-through, I immediately ordered a Chinese Chicken Salad from Stanley’s – it got here pretty quickly and was very good. Then came the Tonys. After that, my voice was really tired, so I thought some hot soup would help and I ordered some won ton soup. It’s pretty calorie friendly. It arrived and was very soothing. I left a few won tons and some shrimp and broth, but it really was helpful. And that brings us to here.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I’ve already printed out everything I need for tonight’s show, and everything is already in my tote bag and ready to go, so I don’t have to worry about that. I’ll just relax and rest my voice, then I’ll shave and shower and get ready. I’ll leave at about 3:50 to get to the club by 4:30. I’ll make sure the set-up is correct, then we start sound check at five and it will probably last all the way until 6:30 given the number of songs and performers. Then I’ll have the small Caesar salad to tide me over until after the show. Doors open at 7:00 and then we do the show at 8:30. I will, of course, have a full report and hopefully some photographs. I’m hoping we have 200 people there or more would even be more fun.
Tomorrow, I now have some banking to do, I lunch meeting, and then I really have to zone out. The rest of the week is lighter and I’m looking forward to it. Even though the next Kritzerland show isn’t until August 11, I have to start the hunt for the young people. We have about four committed already – I’m hoping the rest will be new to us.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, do whatever needs doing, relax and rest my voice, shave and shower and get ready, mosey on over to the club, have a sound check, have a small Caesar salad, and do a show. Today’s topic of discussion: Give us your thoughts on the Tony Awards – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had a fun stumble-through and wish the Tonys had been some kind of fun – in other words, the second things second should have been the first things first.