Tips for Throwing a Tony Awards Party

Last year, I threw my first annual Tony Awards Party. It was a big hit among my theatre-loving friends, theatre-liking friends, and even my don’t-care-about-Broadway-but-came-to-support-me friends. As I write this blog, I am actively planning my second Tony Awards Party with the hope that it will be just as successful as last year’s event! 

This blog is directed at anyone who may be thinking about throwing a Tony-themed Party or anyone who is looking for new ideas to “spice up” their yearly Tony celebration.  Happy Planning! 

1.) GAMES

Because I have the guests arrive two hours before the Tony’s, there is plenty of time for games.  Last year, I compiled a list of “Tony trivia”, which included 25 questions about the Tony Awards, new or currently running musicals and plays, and Broadway “people” (actors, composer/lyricists, directors, choreographers, etc). I created most of the trivia questions myself, but the Tony Awards website offers many trivia questions specific to the history of the Tony Awards, so that is an excellent resource as well. 

http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/history/facts/index.html

We also played a game of “Tony quotes”. I created a list of about 20-25 quotes from popular Broadway showtunes and the guests must determine which musical the quote originated from. The guest who achieves the most correct answers on trivia and quotes is given a prize (more on prizes below). 

Here is an example of a trivia question and a quote. 

Which actress has played Elphaba (Wicked) in more performances than any other actress? 

“I’m as corny as Kansas in August...” 

2.) DECORATIONS

Decorations are really a matter of preference. I like to keep the lights low and decorate my living room with white Christmas lights. I also like hanging black and silver balloons around my living room. This year, I’m going to frame Broadway and New York-related photos and playbills from the Tony-nominated shows and hang them around my living room to set the mood. 

3.) FOOD

I know some theatre fans like to serve Broadway-themed food. For example, serving French food for Les Miserables or corned beef and cabbage for Once or Southern food for Memphis. I have no culinary ability, so I do not do this. Plus, I know too many picky eaters. However, I do ensure that there is plenty of food to be enjoyed. I tend to stick with pizza, sandwiches, vegetables and dip, chips and dip, fresh fruit, and a punch bowl. This year, I will be serving Broadway-themed cupcakes that will be decorated with candies relevant to this year’s Tony-nominated shows. For example, some cupcakes will be decorated with a candy guitar to represent Once or a candy star for Peter and the Starcatcher, etc. 

4.) MUSIC

Until the Tony Awards begin, I have Broadway music playing in the background. I compile a playlist of songs in iTunes from ONLY the Tony-nominated shows and put it on shuffle, which usually gets everyone in Broadway mode (if they’re not already!). The only downfall to this is that some of the Tony-nominated shows have not yet recorded a cast recording by the time of the Tony Awards and so some shows are left out of my mix. 

5.) COSTUMES

Oh, did I forget to mention?  My Tony Awards Party is also a costume party!  My guests are required to dress up as a character from a Broadway musical or play (the show does not have to be running on Broadway currently). Last year, my guests included: the Phantom of the Opera, Elphaba from Wicked, Diana and Dan Goodman from Next to Normal, and Extraordinary Girl from American Idiot. During commercial break, I have the guests vote for best costume and the winner gets a prize! 

6.) RED CARPET

Last year, I was checking out decorations at iParty and I came across a mock “red carpet”. I loved the idea of the guests walking up the red carpet to get to the party and so I bought it. The red carpet was a lot of fun. I placed it in my front yard, making a path from the road to the front door, and everyone had the chance to walk on the red carpet in full costume while we took pictures. It also entertained my neighbors who drove by my house to see a green witch, a phantom, and a red carpet among other things.  Very fun. 

7.) BALLOTS

http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/2012_Printable_Ballot.pdf

On the Tony Awards website, there is a printable ballot.  I print this out and take it to FedEx to have copies printed on cardstock. Cardstock makes it a little more durable in case some of the die-hard theatre fans want to save it.  Before the Tony Awards begin, everyone fills out the ballot based on who they think will win.  The guest who correctly guesses the most winners gets a prize.  

8.) PRIZES

Since a Tony Awards party can become expensive, I don’t go crazy with prizes. Between the two games, the costume contest, and the ballots, I need four prizes, but last year there was a tie for the costume contest and the trivia game, so it’s a good idea to have extra prizes on hand.  The cost per prize is usually less than $5. Some examples are: Times Square themed playing cards, Broadway-themed wall calendar, Broadway-themed bookmark, NYC-themed stationery, Broadway-themed key chains or magnets, home-made fudge, and hand soap. I try to have a couple of non-Broadway-themed items available since some guests are not die-hard Broadway fans. 

I hope this is helpful! What are your ideas???? 

GHOST

Broadway, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

May 18, 2012

Synopsis: Based on the 1990 movie, Ghost is the story of Sam and Molly, two star-crossed lovers who are mugged one night, leaving Sam murdered and caught between this world and the next. When he realizes that Molly is in danger, he enlists the help of the very unwilling Oda Mae Brown, a psychic of questionable abilities, to communicate with Molly. 

Sidenote: I have never seen the movie, Ghost. 

Comments: As the overture begins, the New York skyline is projected onto a large screen on the stage and the audience has the “3-Dimensional” experience of “flying” over NYC. Immediately, the audience feels as though they are about to witness something out-of-this-world. It’s magical.

I loved Ghost because of its relatability. But what could be relatable about a ghost caught between two worlds?? Well, one special thing about Ghost is that it’s a drama, a comedy, a romance, and a mystery- there is something in it for everyone to enjoy. The story takes the audience on an emotional journey as they laugh, smile, and cry over the course of two and a half hours. As most of us have lost a loved one suddenly, the audience undoubtedly identifies with Molly’s grief and sheds tears for her loss. Not all musical theatre characters are able to sustain this kind of connection with the audience. Lastly, Ghost gives us the universal messages of hope, living each day to the fullest, and doing the right thing, messages that we all need to hear from time to time. 

The heart of the show lies with Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman, who are reprising their roles from the West End production of Ghost. As Sam and Molly, the two actors have wonderful (emotional and romantic) chemistry together. I loved Caissie Levy as Molly. She has a beautiful, crystal-clear voice and her performance was very authentic and heartfelt. Aside from being easy on the eyes, Richard Fleeshman is endearing as Molly’s ill-fated boyfriend, Sam, and he too has a wonderful voice. 

The comedic relief of the show is provided by Tony nominee Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown. After seeing her performance, I now understand the Tony nomination!  She was hysterical.  Let me put it this way- when she is on stage, there is very little time when the audience is NOT laughing.  

Three days after I saw the show, I bought the cast recording.  With music and lyrics written by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, the score captures the emotional gravity of the story while also lightening the burden with more upbeat, comical songs. 

Ghost received Tony nominations for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design, which are well-deserved. The special effects and illusions were just amazing to see live on stage: objects moving in mid air, “ghosts” walking through doors, and the instant, seamless separation of spirit and body into two entities. The set gives the impression of being on another plane. The sets, lighting, and illusions were just magical.  This is not something that you will see on Broadway every day. 

The Verdict: I strongly recommend that everyone go see Ghost on Broadway. 

Buy the cast recording. 

Tony Snubs!

Tony Awards night is rapidly approaching!  Are there any shows or actors that you feel should have been nominated but were not?  Tony nominations would not be complete without a few “snubs”! 

1.) Melissa van der Schyff as Blanche Barrow in the ill-fated new musical, Bonnie and Clyde. Her strong, emotional portrayal of Clyde’s God-fearing sister-in-law should have earned her a nomination for best featured actress in a musical. While the Tony committee may have forgotten about her heartfelt, comedic performance, I have not, and I hope you haven’t either! 

2.) Bonnie and Clyde for best new musical. Please refer to my blog entry from 1/22/12. http://standingovationsbroadwayblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/bonnie-clyde-broadway-schoenfeld.html 

Original, memorable, and witty, Bonnie and Clyde had everything you could want in a musical- beautiful music by Frank Wildhorn, a smart story-line, action-packed drama, and a talented group of Broadway actors- but this didn’t prevent the show from closing early due to poor ticket sales. 

I am happy that Bonnie and Clyde was not entirely forgotten- it did receive two nominations- one for best score (completely deserved) and another for best actress in a musical (Laura Osnes as Bonnie, also completely deserved). 

3.) Paul Nolan as Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar.  Come on, he rocks the Neil Simon Theatre eight times per week as Jesus Christ, the ULTIMATE mammoth role, AND he does it really well. A Tony-nomination for best leading actor in a musical would have been well-deserved. 

4.) Bernadette Peters as Sally Durant Plummer in Follies. She has seven Tony nominations, two Tony Awards, and she will be receiving the Isabelle Stevenson Award at this year’s Tony Awards ceremony, but it doesn’t make this snub any less sad.  Only Bernadette Peters can find the emotional depth of an unstable character and have a nervous breakdown while singing a song like “Losing My Mind”. That’s all I have to say about that.  

5.) Raul Esparza as Jonas Nightingale in Leap of Faith. This man did not stop dancing, singing, or preaching during this two and a half hour musical.  ENERGY. He’s got it.  But it didn’t earn him a Tony nod.  

6.) Adam Chanler-Berat as Boy in Peter and the Starcatcher.  We all loved Adam Chanler-Berat in Next to Normal and the off-Broadway revival of Rent, but he really shows off his acting chops as Boy in Peter and the Starcatcher. This may be his best performance yet!  

7.) Elena Roger as Eva Peron in Evita.  Born in Argentina, there is something very authentic about this actress’ performance as the powerful, though unfortunate, first lady of Argentina. This omission is just a shame.