70th Annual Tony Award Comparisons

Hello one and all! I am going to compare my Tony Award predictions to the actual Tony Award nominations. My predictions were pretty spot on. When a line is crossed out ABC that means I was wrong about the prediction. Anything in red means that a I did not predict that certain nomination. I was very surprised at the amount of nominations for Hamilton. I don't think it should have been nominated for Best Set Design. I was surprised at the lack of nominations for On Your Feet!, particulary with the fact that Ana Villafañe was not nominated. Normally the Tony's love a good biographical musical/play especially when it comes to the actors themselves, they do love those empowering women in history.*

1. Best Play
• An Act of God
• Eclipsed
• The Father
• Fully Committed
• The Humans
• King Charles III
• Misery
2. Best Musical
• American Psycho
• Bright Star
• Hamilton
• School of Rock
• Shuffle Along
• Tuck Everlasting
• Waitress
3. Best Revival of a Play
• Blackbird
• The Crucible
• Long Day's Journey into Night
• The Gin Game
• Noises Off
• A View from the Bridge
4. Best Revival of a Musical
• The Color Purple
• Dames at Sea
• Fiddler on the Roof
• She Loves Me
• Spring Awakening
5. Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Gabriel Byrne- Long Day's Journey into Night as James Tyrone
• Jeff Daniels- Blackbird as Smith
• Frank Langella- The Father as Andre
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson- Fully Committed as Various Characters
• Tom Pigott-Smith- King Charles III as Charles
• Mark Strong- A View from the Bridge as Eddie Carbone
• Ben Whishaw- The Crucible as John Proctor
• Bruce Willis- Misery as Paul Sheldon
6. Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Jessica Lange- Long Day's Journey into Night as Mary Cavan Tyrone
• Laurie Metcalf- Misery as Annie Wilkes
• Lupita Nyong'o- Eclipsed as The Girl
• Sophie Okonedo- The Crucible as Elizabeth Procto
• Nicola Walker- A View from the Bridge as Beatrice Carbone
• Michelle Williams- Blackbird as Una Spencer
7. Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Alex Brightman- School of Rock as Dewey Finn
• Danny Burstein- Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye
• Zachary Levi- She Loves Me as Georg Nowack
• Lin-Manuel Miranda- Hamilton as Alexander Hamilton
• Leslie Odom Jr.- Hamilton as Aaron Burr
• Benjamin Walker- American Psycho as Patrick Bateman
8. Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Laura Benanti- She Loves Me as Amalia Balash
• Carmen Cusack- Bright Star as Alice Murphy
• Cynthia Erivo- The Color Purple as Celie Harris Johnson
• Jessie Mueller- Waitress as Jenna Hunterson
• Phillipa Soo- Hamilton as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
• Ana Villafañe- On Your Feet! as Gloria Estefan
9. Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Reed Birney- The Humans as Erik Blake
• Bill Camp- The Crucible as Reverand John Hale
• Daniel Davis- Noises Off as Selsdon Mowbray
• David Furr- Noises Off as Gary Lejeune
• Richard Goulding- King Charles III as Prince Harry
• Jim Norton- The Crucible as Giles Corey
• Campbell Scott- Noises Off as Lloyd Dallas
• Robert Sella- Sylvia as Tom/ Phyllis/ Leslie
• Michael Shannon- Long Day's Journey into Night as James Tyrone Jr.
10. Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Pascale Armand- Eclipsed as Bessie
• Phoebe Fox- A View from the Bridge as Catherine
• Meghan Hilty- Noises Off as Brooke Ashton
• Zainab Jah- Eclipsed as Maima
• Andrea Martin- Noises Off as Dotty Otley
• Saycon Sengbloh- Eclipsed as Helena
11. Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• Nicholas Barasch- She Loves Me as Arpad Laszlo
• Roger Bart- Disaster as Tony
• Daveed Diggs- Hamilton as Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson
• Brandon Victor Dixon- Shuffle Along as Eubie Blake
• Christopher Fitzgerald- Waitress as Ogie
• Jonathan Groff- Hamilton as King George III
• Christopher Jackson- Hamilton as George Washington
• Terrence Mann- Tuck Everlasting as Man in the Yellow Suit
12. Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Danielle Brooks- The Color Purple as Sofia
• Renée Elise Goldsberry- Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler Church
• Jennifer Hudson- The Color Purple as Shug Avery
• Jane Krakowski- She Loves Me as Ilona Ritter
• Jennifer Simard- Disaster! as Sister Mary Downy
• Heléne Yorke- American Psycho as Evelyn Williams
13. Best Book of a Musical
• Alexander Dinelaris- On Your Feet!
• Tim Federle and Claudia Shear- Tuck Everlasting
• John Fellow- School of Rock
• Steve Martin- Bright Star
• Lin-Manuel Miranda- Hamilton
• Jack Plotnick & Seth Rudetsky- Disaster!
• George C. Wolfe- Shuffle Along
14. Best Original Score
• Sara Bareilles- Waitress
• Edie Brickell & Steve Martin- Bright Star
• Chris Miller & Nathan Tysen- Tuck Everlasting
• Lin-Manuel Miranda- Hamilton
• Duncan Sheik- American Psycho
• Andrew Lloyd Webber- School of Rock
15. Best Set Design of a Play
• Beowulf Boritt- Thérèse Raquin
• David Korins- Misery
• Derek McLane- Noises Off
• Christopher Oram- Hughie
• Jan Versweyveld- A View from the Bridge
• David Zinn- The Humans
16. Best Set Design of a Musical
• Es Devlin and Finn Ross- American Psycho
• David Korin- Hamilton
• Santo Loquasto- Shuffle Along
• Anna Louizos- School of Rock
• Scott Pask- Waitress
• David Rockwell- She Loves Me
• Walt Spangler- Tuck Everlasting
17. Best Costume Design of a Play
• An D'huys- A View from the Bridge
• Michael Krass- Noises Off
• Jane Greenwood- Long Day's Journey into Night
• Jane Greenwood- Thérèse Raquin
• Clint Ramos- Eclipsed
• Ann Roth- Misery
• Tom Scutt- King Charles III
18. Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Greg Barnes- Tuck Everlasting
• Jane Greenwood- Bright Star
• Katrina Lindsay- American Psycho
• Jeff Mahshie- She Loves Me
• Ann Roth- Shuffle Along
• Emilio Sosa- On Your Feet!
• Paul Tazewell- Hamilton
19. Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Jane Cox- Noises Off
• Natasha Katz- Long Day's Journey into Night
• Justin Townsend- The Humans
• Keith Parham- Thérèse Raquin
• Jan Versweyveld- The Crucible
• Jan Versweyveld- A View from the Bridge
• David Weiner- Misery
20. Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Howell Binkley- Hamilton
• Peggy Eisnhower and Jules Fisher- Shuffle Along
• Donald Holder- She Loves Me
• Kenneth Posner- On Your Feet!
• Ben Statton- Spring Awakening
• Justin Townsend- American Psycho
21. Best Direction of a Play
• Evan Cabnet- Thérèse Raquin
• Rupert Goold- King Charles III
• Jonathan Kent- Long Day's Journey into Night
• Ivo van Hove- The Crucible
• Ivo van Hove- A View from the Bridge
• Joe Mantello- The Humans
• Liesl Tommy- Eclipsed
22. Best Direction of a Musical
• Michael Arden- Spring Awakening
• John Doyle- The Color Purple
• Scott Ellis- She Loves Me
• Rupert Goold- American Psycho
• Thomas Kail- Hamilton
• George C. Wolfe- Shuffle Along
23. Best Choreography
• Andy Blankenbuehler- Hamilton
• Savion Glover- Shuffle Along
• Spencer Liff- Spring Awakening
• Josh Rhodes- Bright Star
• Hofesh Shechtor- Fiddler on the Roof
• Randy Skinner- Dames at Sea
• Sergio Trujillo- On Your Feet!
24. Best Orchestrations
• August Ericksome- Bright Star
• Philip Glass- The Crucible
• Larry Hochman- She Loves Me
• Joseph Joubert- The Color Purple
• Alex Lacamoire- Hamilton
• Ted Sperling- Fiddler on the Roof
• Daryl Walters- Shuffle Along
• Andrew Lloyd Webber- School of Rock

* Here is a list of well known examples

• Gypsy- A musical based of the memoir's of Gypsy Rose Lee
• Rose
• Ethel Merman- 1960
• Angela Lansbury- 1974 WON
• Tyne Daly- 1989 WON
• Bernadette Peters- 2003
• Patti LuPone- 2008 WON
• Louise
• Sandra Church- 1960
• Zan Charisse- 1974
• Crista Moore- 1989
• Tammy Blanchard- 2003
• Laura Benanti- 2008 WON
• Herby
• Jack Klugman- 1960
• Jonathan Hadery- 1989
• John Dossett- 2003
• Boyd Gaines- 2008 WON
• Fun Home- A musical based off a graphic memoir about Bechdel's relationship with her gay father and her attempts to unlock the mysteries surrounding his life
• Michael Cerveris- Bruce Bechdel WON
• Beth Malone- Alison Bechdel
• Judy Kuhn- Helen Bechdel
• Sydney Lucas-Small Alison
• Emily Skeggs-Medium Alison
• Other shows that have had acting nods that are biographical shows are
• Lady Day at Emmerson's Bar and Grill
• Beautiful: The Carol King Musical
• The Elephant Man
• A Night with Janis Joplin
• Rocky: The Musical
• Bonnie & Clyde

Sorry I went all theatre geek at the end there, but hey whatever! This blog is The Diary of a Theatre Kid. I'll see you on Tony Night my lovelies. Mama's gotta do some Algebra II homework.

My 70th Annual Tony Award Predictions

Howdy! How are you doing today? I figured with it being awards season and all I should maybe do my Tony predictions. Now these predictions are based on four things 1) My own opinion 2) Who was already been nominated for awards 3) What others have already predicted 4) The reviews. Are you ready? Let's begin with the design categories. *Notes: 1) My choice winners are in blue, 2) The people who I believe will win are in red 3) If the choice is in pink text then they are my personal choice winners and the people who I believe will win* I am honestly not excited for James Corden to be the host of this year's Tony Awards I kind of wish they went with a female host, but I'm still gonna watch it for Hamilton.

1. Best Play
• An Act of God
• Eclipsed
• Fully Committed
• The Humans
• Misery
2. Best Musical
• American Psycho
• Bright Star
• Hamilton
• Tuck Everlasting
• Waitress
3. Best Revival of a Play
• Blackbird
• The Crucible
• The Gin Game
• Noises Off
• A View from the Bridge
4. Best Revival of a Musical
• The Color Purple
• Dames at Sea
• Fiddler on the Roof
• She Loves Me
• Spring Awakening
5. Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson- Fully Committed as Various Characters
• Tom Pigott-Smith- King Charles III as Charles
• Mark Strong- A View from the Bridge as Eddie Carbone
• Ben Whishaw- The Crucible as John Proctor
• Bruce Willis- Misery as Paul Sheldon
6. Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Jessica Lange- Long Day's Journey into Night as Mary Cavan Tyrone
• Laurie Metcalf- Misery as Annie Wilkes
• Lupita Nyong'o- Eclipsed as The Girl
• Sophie Okonedo- The Crucible as Elizabeth Proctor
• Nicola Walker- A View from the Bridge as Beatrice Carbone
7. Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Danny Burstein- Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye
• Zachary Levi- She Loves Me as Georg Nowack
• Lin-Manuel Miranda- Hamilton as Alexander Hamilton
• Leslie Odom Jr.- Hamilton as Aaron Burr
• Benjamin Walker- American Psycho as Patrick Bateman
8. Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Laura Benanti- She Loves Me as Amalia Balash
• Carmen Cusack- Bright Star as Alice Murphy
• Cynthia Erivo- The Color Purple as Celie
• Phillipa Soo- Hamilton as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
• Ana Villafañe- On Your Feet! as Gloria Estefan
9. Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Daniel Davis- Noises Off as Selsdon Mowbray
• Jim Norton- The Crucible as Giles Corey
• Campbell Scott- Noises Off as Lloyd Dallas
• Robert Sella- Sylvia as Tom/ Phyllis/ Leslie
• Michael Shannon- A Long Day's Journey into Night as James Tyrone Jr.
10. Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Pascale Armand- Eclipsed as Bessie
• Phoebe Fox- A View from the Bridge as Catherine
• Meghan Hilty- Noises Off as Brooke Ashton
• Zainab Jah- Eclipsed as Maima
• Saycon Sengbloh- Eclipsed as Helena
11. Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• Nicholas Barasch- She Loves Me as Arpad Laszlo
• Roger Bart- Disaster as Tony
• Daveed Diggs- Hamilton as Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson
• Christopher Fitzgerald- Waitress as Ogie
• Terrence Mann- Tuck Everlasting as Man in the Yellow Suit
12. Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Danielle Brooks- The Color Purple as Sofia
• Renée Elise Goldsberry- Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler Church
• Jennifer Hudson- The Color Purple as Shug Avery
• Jane Krakowski- She Loves Me as Ilona Ritter
• Heléne Yorke- American Psycho as Evelyn Williams
13. Best Book of a Musical
• Alexander Dinelaris- On Your Feet!
• Tim Federle and Claudia Shear- Tuck Everlasting
• Steve Martin- Bright Star
• Lin-Manuel Miranda- Hamilton
• Jack Plotnick & Seth Rudetsky- Disaster!
14. Best Original Score
• Sara Bareilles- Waitress
• Edie Brickell & Steve Martin- Bright Star
• Chris Miller & Nathan Tysen- Tuck Everlasting
• Lin-Manuel Miranda- Hamilton
• Duncan Sheik- American Psycho
15. Best Set Design of a Play
• Beowulf Boritt- Thérèse Raquin
• David Korins- Misery
• Derek McLane- Noises Off
• Christopher Oram- Hughie
• Jan Versweyveld- A View from the Bridge
16. Best Set Design of a Musical
• Es Devlin- American Psycho
• Anna Louizos- School of Rock
• Scott Pask- Waitress
• David Rockwell- She Loves Me
• Walt Spangler- Tuck Everlasting
17. Best Costume Design of a Play
• Michael Crass- Noises Off
• An D'huys- A View from the Bridge
• Jane Greenwood- Thérèse Raquin
• Ann Roth- Misery
• Tom Scutt- King Charles III
18. Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Jane Greenwood- Bright Star
• Katrina Lindsay- American Psycho
• Jeff Mahshie- She Loves Me
• Emilio Sosa- On Your Feet!
• Paul Tazewell- Hamilton
19. Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Jane Cox- Noises Off
• Natasha Katz- A Long Day's Journey into Night
• Keith Parham- Thérèse Raquin
• Jan Versweyveld- A View from the Bridge
• David Weiner- Misery
20. Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Howell Binkley- Hamilton
• Jon Clark- American Psycho
• Donald Holder- She Loves Me
• Kenneth Posner- On Your Feet!
• Ben Statton- Spring Awakening
21. Best Direction of a Play
• Evan Cabnet- Thérèse Raquin
• Rupert Goold- King Charles III
• Ivo van Hove- The Crucible
• Ivo van Hove- A View from the Bridge
• Joe Mantello- The Humans
22. Best Direction of a Musical
• Michael Arden- Spring Awakening
• John Doyle- The Color Purple
• Scott Ellis- She Loves Me
• Rupert Goold- American Psycho
• Thomas Kail- Hamilton
23. Best Choreography
• Andy Blankenbuehler- Hamilton
• Savion Glover- Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
• Spencer Liff- Spring Awakening
• Josh Rhodes- Bright Star
• Sergio Trujillo- On Your Feet!
24. Best Orchestrations
• Philip Glass- The Crucible
• Joseph Joubert- The Color Purple
• Alex Lacamoire- Hamilton
• Ted Sperling- Fiddler on the Roof
• Andrew Lloyd Webber- School of Rock

• Nominations per production
• 14- Hamilton
• 9- She Loves Me
• 8- American Psycho, A View from the Bridge
• 7- Noises Off
• 6- Bright Star, The Color Purple, The Crucible, Misery
• 5- Eclipsed, On Your Feet!, Waitress
• 4- King Charles III, Spring Awakening, Thérèse Raquin, Tuck Everlasting
• 3- Fiddler on the Roof, Long Day's Journey into Night
• 2- Disaster!, The Humans, School of Rock
• 1- An Act of God, Blackbird, Dames at Sea, Fully Committed, The Gin Game, Hughie, Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, Sylvia

Run and Tell That: Grease Live

(From Left to Right, up and down)
Keke Palmer, Kether Donohue, Julianne Hough, Andrew Call, Carly Rae Jepsen, Carlos PenaVega, Aaron Tveit, David Del Rio, Jordan Fisher, Vanessa Hudgens

*I apologize if this just seems like one long rant I'm not good with organizing my thoughts* Is Grease really the word? Grease Live was not a smash hit, but it was not a box office flop either. It was simply a show of mediocrity. The opening scene with Danny & Sandy were on the beach I thought I was about to start watching a bad 80's romance movie. I was not having it and then Jessie J while singing a spectacular rendition of "Grease is the Word" was roaming around the sets just felt like an MTV teen special from the 00's. What also did not help the production was the constant interruptions by Mario Lopez and talking like a cheesy game show host and seeing behind the sets would totally take you out of the moment of the show. What was also annoying was how some of the sets and costumes for the musical were exact copies from the movie (Originality at it's finest) In the beginning Julianne Hough

as the prissy, pure Sandy just felt bland and boring and their was nothing special about her. Later on though Hough's performance improved greatly especially during her rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" was very good and powerful, but lacked emotion at times. When she got to be the sexy, skin-tight leather pants wearing Sandy she was definitely more in her element and was better overall. But she was still no match for Olivia Newton-John. The Broadway veteran Aaron Tviet [Hairspray, Next to Normal, Wicked] as greaser Danny Zuko was good casting, but his acting was nothing special. The other T-Birds, who took the gang name from the movie and not the Burger Palace Boys from the musical, Jordan Fisher, Andrew Call [Rock of Ages, American Idiot] and David Del Rio [In the Heights] who played Doody, Sonny and Putzie while they did pretty good jobs their character portrayals were nothing special and to be frank they were rather boring. However on the bright side of things the second in command of the T-Birds, whose hickies are like Hallmark cards, Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie did a very good job on portraying his character and tried something new with the character, while that was worth mentioning he lacked on making the character memorable. The infamous T-Birds song "Greased Lightning" was lacking quality and skill and I felt like they were trying to imitate the movie throughout the whole sequence. Also why was their these random girls doing pelvic thrusts in the middle of the number. "Greased Lightning" is supposed to be about the men trying to sell sex that means no girls allowed, but hey that is just my opinion on it. Vanessa Hudgens [Gigi] as the Pink Ladies leader, Betty Rizzo, gets my props for

performing just hours after her father died, but she does what she always does and that is over act. Hudgens has amazing talent and she always tries too hard on her roles she has the potential to be a great Rizzo, but I think she needs the right director who will work with her on her roles. Hudgens did get better as the night progressed, but no one can ever beat Stockard Channing from the film. Carly Rae Jepsen [Cinderella] as Frenchie was just awful she was also bland and uneventful, no one will ever match with Didi Conn (Who had cameo as Vi) and her cute nasally voice she did, but what made matters worse was that pointless song "All I Need is an Angel" for Frenchie right before the unnecessary riff filled, carbon copy of the movie costumes and all rendition of "Beauty School Dropout" sung by the 1 to many Boyz II Men. In my opinion they only needed one teen angel not three that is just excessive. Kether Donohue who played Jan, the lovable Twinkie eating Pink Lady, was again not on the same level as the movie actress Jamie Donnelly who will always be the one true Jan (Besides my amazing mentor Tara Tagliaferro) On the opposite end was Keke Palmer [Cinderella] who gave us quite the shocker as she pulled of the role of the smart, sophisticated, man hoarder (For lack of a better term) of

the Pink Ladies, Marty, while putting her own sassy twist on the role. Her rendition of "Freddy My Love" was absolutely superb and a wonderful performance and I can't wait for her Broadway return (Maybe as a replacement Dorothy in The Wiz revival.) Elle McLemore [Heathers, Bring it On] who portrayed the over-excited, optimistic annoying student council vice-president Patty Simcox was again no match for the movie actress Susan Buckner who again played the role to perfection, but McLemore was definitely a good choice to play this role. The dance legend of St. Bernadette's Charlene "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio looked like a cheap hooker with a drug problem when we first met her in that unflattering dress and teased hair. While the students of Rydell High may have lacked the staff knew what they were doing. Principal McGee played by lovely Ana Gasteyer [Wicked, The Rocky Horror Show] did a great job in her role. (However I would have loved to see Stockard Channing return to play Principal McGee that would have been pretty cool.) Wendell Pierce [Serious Money, The Boys of Winter] who played the funny Coach Calhoun was absolutely amazing and was very funny in his small role. And by far the knock-out performance of the night was that lovable, charming, charismatic secretary Miss Blanche played

by the amazing Haneefah Wood [Rent, Avenue Q] was down right funny. From when she was grooving to the bells that ring during the daily announcements, to getting down at the night of the dance, and of course her hungover state after the dance and realizing that her bra was left under the bleachers. I mean talk about a knock-out! She was absolutely hysterical, but didn't try to steal the spotlight from her co-stars. Grease Live had some good moments, but felt like a complete carbon copy of the movie from the script, as well as the costumes (The dance scene are you kidding?) and even the choreography was taken from the movie. I felt there was no originality at all. That being said for a first try this was not bad Fox. Every station will have their own The Sound of Music Live, so I hope that Fox does continue with the live musical trend these days for it gets people aware of how great musical theater is. As we know Fox is planning a remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Which will not be live and will be released October 2016) I wonder what they will plan to do next year. Perhaps Rent, Footloose, Chicago or maybe even Avenue Q. I think we can bet on Fox doing more teenage and adult musicals while NBC will stick to the family friendly. The only question I have is: Who will be the next channel to join us with live televised musicals and more importantly will they finally get the right formula?

Run and Tell That: The Wiz Live!

Hello Dearies! Since I have all this free time on my snow day I figured what better to do then write out my "The Wiz Live" Review! LET'S GO!!! Overall The Wiz Live! was a huge improvement compared to the last two blunders of a musical NBC produced. The whole stage feel of the show worked to a huge advantage of the production. I no longer felt bordered off by the cameras (Even if I saw a few of them during the show) I felt connected with the story. NBC finally got the right creative team from the amazing director Kenny Leon who was the perfect choice for this years production. (I am so happy he is returning for Hairspray Live!) Leon not only has Broadway credits to his name, but he also has screen credits to his name. Leon knew how to attack this using stage tactics, but he also knew how to make sure those stage tactics fit with the cameras as well. That was an element that lacked profusely in the previous two productions. Since Leon knew how to merge the two elements into one I felt like I was watching another production on stage. In theatre a director is nothing without his/her choreographer (Unless the director is also the choreographer, but that's another story for another time.) I'm sure this production would have lacked severely without the breath taking and mesmerizing choreography by the amazing Fatima Robinson. Robinson put a fresh new twist on The Wiz with her brand new choreography. (I personally hope that she wins an Emmy for her choreography.) Robinson had such diverse choreography in each number. She created this geeky, childish, groovy breakdance for "He's The Wiz." Then we have the synchronized coal mining for "No Bad News" and the vouging, mechanicalness of "The Emerald City Sequence"

The stand out of dance of the night was those sexy, fierce, booty pooping, head turning, legs for days, (I am running out of adjectives) poppies. The choreography by the amazing Miss Robinson was absolutely breath taking and mesmerizing. When this production transfers to Broadway I definitely see a Tony Award nod in her future. Robinson has proved that she will be a force to be reckoned with on the Great White Way. Robinson, brought a fresh, new, vibrant look with her choreography, but Paul Tazewell brought it with his costume designs. The costumes for The Wiz Live were colorful and mysterious. They flattered each of their actors (Except for Dorothy's, but we'll talk about that later.) Tazewell managed to give every character a new, modern, imaginative twist. Tazewell went back to the roots of African American culture of the 70's (When The Wiz first opened on Broadway) while also making the looks edgy and modern. Working in tandem with Tazewell was Derek McLane (Who also designed the sets for Peter Pan Live! and The Sound of Music Live!) who designed all of those gorgeous sets for this outstanding production. The combination of LED screens (Which I'm normally not a fan of, but for The Wiz they worked) and the physical sets that really made the world of Oz pop. I also need to give a shout out to Allen Branton who was the lighting designer for The Wiz he did an amazing job complementing the sets and costumes while suiting the overall tune of the show (I don't know much of lighting design so I can't comment that much on this) The only member of the design team that lacked was Cirque du Soleil. I thought the twister sequence was very, very underwhelming. I can go on a stage and swirl sticks with cloth wrapped around them even a third grader could do that. Can we at least see Dorothy inside the house which is visibly shaking? It would have been far more visually appealing and a lot cooler, plus far more torndadoey (Yay! I made up a word.) I also felt that the Winged Warriors sequence could have been a lot more terrifying. But never the less it was still an amazing production led by an amazing cast. The amazing and beautiful Stephanie Mills was absolutely flawless as Aunt Em. I felt her motherly love and presence from the first glimpse of her. You just felt the love and because Miss Mills was the original Dorothy in The Wiz she knew what Dorothy was experiencing so she knows how to react to that. You could also tell that Aunt Em just wanted the best for Dorothy. Oh my god don't even get me started on her amazing pipes and at the age of 58, sweet lord, and she is so tiny compared to the rest of the cast. Her chemistry with Shanice was absolutely beautiful as well. We then have the fierce belter Amber Riley as Addaperle. I never even thought of her for a role and I kick myself everyday because of that. Riley made a hilarious and charming Addaperle with again killer pipes.

Even though no one can compare to the jazzy vocals of Thelma Carpenter. I did not think of Carpenter at all through her song. Her costume also suited her physique and she wasn't squeezed into some skin tight costume. Riley put a nice sassy twist onto the role and brought here all to this performance. While in Oz Dorothy meets a trio of new friends while on her way to the Emerald City. The first member of Dorothy's quartet is The Scarecrow played by the incredibley talented Elijah Kelly. Kelly did a great job, but I felt like I was just watching a carbon copy of Michael Jackson's performance and while he was an amazing dancer nothing differed from Jackson's portrayal. Jackson's performance was amazing and it will be hard to break that mold that he set, but Kelly didn't even try to seperate his Scarecrow from Jackson's. Another thing that bothered me was when scarecrow and Dorothy first meet the Tin Man, Scarecrow seemed like he needed a heart more then the Tin Man needed one. Speaking of the Tin Man. Ne-Yo gave the SURPRISE PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT!!!!!!! I never saw this coming! My jaw was dropped throught his soulful rendition of "Slide Some Oil To Me" I never knew he had that in him. Not to mention how effortless he made the choreography for that number look. Ne-Yo would gain a definite Tony nod when this show comes to Broadway and who knows maybe he'd even win the Tony. He sure as hell has a shot. His rendition of "To Be Able To Feel" was so heartfelt and emotional. To sum up his performance in one word "OUTSTANDING!!!!" Ne- Yo had surpassed all of my expectations for him. The final member of Dorothy's quartet is The Cowardly Lion perfectly portrayed by David Allen Grier. Only one word suits his performance perfection.

(From Left to Right)
Common, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Amber Riley, Stephanie Mills, Scooter, 
Ne-Yo, Shanice Williams, Uzo Aduba, Elijah Kelley, David Allen Grier

He was perfectly casted in this role. He was so funny and charming. Every line was delivered perfectly. His rendition of "Be a Lion" was so charming and he had a great set of pipes. Grier was definitely a highlight of the night. And even more kudos to him for dealing with all that fur all night. They four friends set out to meet the all seeing, all powerful, Wizard of Oz played by the amazing Queen Latifah. Latifah can do no wrong! It is like she has been doing musical theatre since she popped out of the womb. Her gender-bending Wiz was funny, threatening, fierce, scary sweet and, touching all at the same time. Latifah always sets the bar with every single performance she does. From her performance as Mama Morton in Chicago to Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray she always manages to raise people to their feet in an uproar of applause. Rounding out the cast as the deliciously evil Wicked Witch of the West Evillene was Mary J. Blige. Blige managed to question everything I ever knew about acting. Can over acting really be pulled off? Blige some how does just that. Her entrance with that wicked carriage was so hilarious and yet so subtle as well. The only thing that was bad with her performance did not have anything to do with her. "No Bad News" was just a little too low for her in my opinion and she still managed to pull of that song. have to give her props again for pulling off over acting I never thought it could be done. She worked that costume with every sassy bone in her body. And when she pulled out the switch blade I was done. I could not stop laughing. Meanwhile compared to the rest of the cast Uzo Aduba as Glinda seemed to lack that gracefulness. I am happy we don't have those weird black babies surrounding Glinda anymore that was just weird and Uzo looked absolutely beautiful in that glittery gold dress. However Aduba should stick to Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren. Her performance was not on par with the others. Her song "Believe In Yourself" just did not suit her voice (I would have much preferred to see Miss Stephanie Mills double team as Aunt Em and Glinda to hear Mills cover this beautiful song with her beautiful voice.) I love Aduba, but this was not her finest performance. Also whatever happened to the blonde wig she was wearing in the promos? The first question I had as soon as The Wiz Live was announced was "Who is gonna be Dorothy?" (My original thoughts were Keke Palmer, Raven Symone, Zendaya or Brandi) However I was so happy (As well as everyone else in the world) to have heard that NBC would hold a nationwide casting search for the role of Dorothy. Enter Miss Shanice Williams stage left. Miss Williams (Born and raised in New Jersey, where I'm from) was the absolute perfect choice

to portray the role of Dorothy. She is beautiful, talented, graceful and a phenominal singer. There was just one problem with her performance. She has done musical theatre all her life and she is so use to connecting with an audience and she had no audience to connect to and when it came to her two solos "Soon As I Get Home" and "Home" while they were both great they seemed to lack because she didn't have an audience to connect with. I am not finding fault with her at all she did her absolute best but I just have to reiterate once again that it was because she's so used to connecting with an audience and I also think she was very nervous. No one can blame her for being nervous. Anyone would be nervous. I'm no longer dwelling on the bad. Okay now lets get to her good parts. Williams was an absolute knock out. She has enough star power to light up a Broadway theatre and I can't wait to see her bring this role to Broadway. Her performance just got better as the night progressed. The part with Dorothy's "Mom" in the forest was heartbreaking and a great addition to the story. Williams made a Dorothy for the 21st century. I do have to say though her costume was not flattering at all and I would have preferred if she wore that beautiful blue dress instead, but that was not of her control. The only other thing that bugged me was when she sang "Home" I would have preferred if it was just a single spotlight on Dorothy and not all that fancy nighttime stuff in the background that was just a distraction. (Again this is not something of her control.) Williams was perfect for this role and no one else deserved this role more than her. Williams is going to be a promising Broadway star and I am already picturing her in a multitude of roles and she definitely has a bright future ahead of her. This was an A+ production and while I'm not excited for Hairspray Live! next year it will be one hell of a show. I think when this show comes to Broadway it will be one jaw dropping, hilarious, belt heavy show with power house vocals. Miss Williams will be back on familiar territory and will be Tony Award material. NBC took a one giant leap forward with their live productions and are now starting a trend. Fox is now getting into the business with Grease Live! with Aaron Tveit, Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens on January 31st, Fox is also doing a remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Laverne Cox as Frank-N-Furter and while it is not a live broadcast it should be interesting and then we have ABC remaking Dirty Dancing, again not live, with Abigal Breslin and Debra Messing. Even London got in on the act and produced their own version of The Sound of Music Live! on December 20th, 2015. I am so excited to see what the future of musicals presented live on tv will be like.

****BONUS***** When The Wiz comes to Broadway if this cast comes with them these are my predictions for the Tony Award nominations.

Best Revival of a Musical

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical- Shanice Williams as Dorothy

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical- Ne-Yo as Tin Man

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical- David Allen Grier as Cowardly Lion

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical- Amber Riley as Addaperle

Best Scenic Design of a Musical- Derek McLane

Best Costume Design of a Musical- Paul Tazewell

Best Lighting Design of a Musical- Allen Branton

Best Direction of a Musical- Kenny Leon

Best Choreography- Fatima Robinson

Quick Change

Hello Dearies, I had to change the design of my blog because some of the text for my The Wiz Live review was just not showing up so if the new design looks a little tacky or more accurately crappy its because my computer is being weird and is so slow whenever I am trying to edit my blogger I don't know it's weird, but The Wiz Live review will be up soon I guarantee it!

As If We Never Said Goodbye

I am so sorry my lovelies I tried using different websites for this blog and I loved this one website I tried out, but when I went to upload a post it would get posted blank and I got so frustrated! So I am back here on blogger and I probably will not get back in the full swing of things for a while... As of right now I am just going to stick to doing reviews of shows I go to see and any movie musicals I watch. I am sorry again my lovelies.