The Tony Journey

Unlike other years, I wasn't as excited about this years Tonys. Last year I was all about Spring Awakening (it really touched me).

This years the best play was locked with August: Osage County. I have to say it was one of best plays I've seen in years with some of the best ensemble acting I've seen in a while. It was raw, exposed and filled with so many layers that by the famous table scene you're just in awe at what's said. More importantly it started in Chicago by a popular theatre company (Steppenwolf) and transferred to Broadway! It's those stories that you want to hear come Tony time. In fact, this year is all about the journey to Broadway and the Tonys.

Passing Strange was another show that's been in the workshop phase for a little bit. From Berkley Rep in California (2006) to the Belasco Theatre (2008). The show has an all black cast, but not when it first started. All lot can happen before a show ends up on Broadway. This show has a special place in my heart because it's about a black man from a middle class background who's on a search about what it means to be a black man. That's significant because most shows marginalize the black experience to being on drugs, a gangster, or slave. This show shoves all that in your face and says the black man's experience can be as varied and textured as any other group. For that it alone should have one the Tony.

The dark horse and funniest of the shows nominated was Xanadu. If you come to NYC and don't want to see August or Passing Strange see Xanadu. It's 90 minutes of absolute fun! If you don't know the movie, don't worry Douglas Carter Beane's book is well written and will have you laughing out loud (unless you have no sense of humor). I want to see it again, but with my time to limited I need to see other things (39 Steps).

I didn't see "In the Heights" (I just can't see everything), but a group of friends and I are going as soon as we get our schedules together. My expectations are high, so it better be good!

My congrats to the winners! Let the new plays and musicals begin! Unfortunately the Brits are at it again with Billy Elliot!