SubscribeTonys: '9 to 5' and 'Billy Elliot' battle to win best musical
"9 to 5" — Dolly Parton's Broadway adaptation of the camp 1980 film classic about three office workers who kidnap their tyrannical boss — doesn't open officially until April 30, but early Tony Awards buzz is so fantastic that it's obvious the "Billy Elliot" boys should be shaking in their toe shoes.
Right now those two productions seem to be the front-runners to win best musical at the Tonys, with "Rock of Ages" hoping to rock the boat from the sidelines. "Shrek: The Musical" has a shot to be one of the four nominees in this category, but most pundits think it can't win. "[title of show]" was adored by theater critics and other Broadway snobs, but it closed last October.
The Tonys' eligibility period ends April 30. Only one big musical is yet to open: "Next to Normal," which debuts April 15. The musical about a suburban family coping with mental illness has successful runs at Second Stage in New York and Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.
Nominees will be chosen by members of this committee and will be unveiled on May 5. Winners will be announced June 7 (CBS, 8 p.m. EDT/PDT).
Here's my breakdown of how the Tony Awards' best-musical race looks right now.
BEST MUSICAL
(Front-runners)
"Billy Elliot"
"9 to 5"
(Possible)
"Next to Normal"
"Rock of Ages"
"Shrek: The Musical"
"[title of show]" (closed)
"White Christmas" (closed)
(Long Shots)
"The Story of My Life" (closed)
"13" (closed)
"A Tale of Two Cities" (closed)
Photos: Marquis Theatre, Imperial Theatre
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On April 27th, "9 to 5" received a record breaking FIFTEEN DRAMA DESK AWARD NOMINATIONS ....more than ANY other theater piece in history, let alone the 2009 season.
How telling that a misogynistic review by Ben Brantley in the NY Times could sway Tony voters. It seemed to me that Brantely was gunning for this big hearted , pro women show.
He revealied he hated the movie it was based on while tossing off insults comparing it to an excessive shopping spree at Bergdorf Goodman.
He even went so far as to call Broadway veteran Stephanie Block an American Idol singer.
Could it be Ms. Blocks anthem telling her cheating ex-husband to "Get Out and Stay Out" was a little too emancipated for Mr. Brantely? Oh the sound of the women in the audience cheering her the night I saw the show was goose bump inducing, but I suspect it threatened Mr. Brantley.
I smell a rat. The backlash against women standing up for themselves is alive and out for blood in 2009. How sad given Obama's first bill granting women equal pay for equal work.
To quote Gomer Pyle " Shame. Shame. Shame.". on Ben Brantley and the Tony voters made up mostly of men.
Posted by: S.H. | May 08, 2009 at 07:24 PM
9 to 5 is an absolute WINNER!. Kudos to the cast and to Dolly Parton for a great show. I hope that the committee does not snub Dolly like the Oscars have done in the past. Billy Elliot tries too hard and just lacks the heart that 9 to 5 has sustained. Megan Hilty you are amazing as well.
Posted by: Billy | April 21, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Since when has 9 to 5 become camp. I didn't realize the stars were in drag. They may be in the best musical category, but Hair will clean up @ the Tony's including director
Posted by: Rob | April 14, 2009 at 04:32 PM
I hope your buzz is right. I saw 9 to 5 last week and it's a great show. But the buzz in NYC has been so solidly in the Billy camp for so long I'd be very surprised to see it switch sides. But 9 to 5 is a more fully realized production than Billy Elliot, which tends to try too hard to please the audience.
Posted by: sam | April 13, 2009 at 05:30 AM
1) the film 9 to 5 is not remotely camp. just because it stars some gay icons doesn't mean you can call it camp. know your terminology.
2) so everyone who liked Title of Show who wasn't a theater critic is a "Broadway snob"? grow up Tom.
Posted by: richard | April 13, 2009 at 12:22 AM
you also forgot to mention the new musical next to normal which has a good "buzz" from its Off Bway production. I don't hold much credit to LA buzzers, I guess. I remember that many shows had good "buzz" until they opened and the buzz got buzzed out. BUT If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong, but it's a bit early I think.
Posted by: peter | April 12, 2009 at 03:23 PM
I saw 9 to 5 this past week (in NY) during the previews and the buzz is EVERY bit deserved!!! It was the best show I have seen in years...I now have to see Billy Elliott!
Posted by: mike | April 12, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Most award show predictions are based on buzz.
Posted by: JC | April 11, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Although 9 To 5 hasn't had it's "official" opening, enough critics saw it in a multi-week Los Angeles test run late last year and in its first week of Broadway "previews" over the past week that the "buzz" is very real and has been fully earned.
Posted by: T.D. | April 11, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Once again!!! 9 to 5 hasn't even opened and based on what "people say" you're saying it's a front runner for best musical! I fail to see how this kind of prediction can be made on what "the buzz" is---"the buzz" has so often been wrong in the past. Why not just wait? Or will that put you out of a job?
Posted by: peter | April 11, 2009 at 06:32 PM