Blind Prophecy

We’re rapidly approaching D-day for the 2008 Tony Awards, and in my completely personal guide to the greatest moments in the Tony Awards we’re rushing toward the present day.

I watched the 2000, 2001 and 2002 awards shows. I know I did. I remember Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Gregory Hines and Bernadette Peters hosting. But after college I went through a bit of a theatre slump where I didn’t eat, sleep and breathe theatre all the time, and there wasn’t anything particularly exciting about the lineup of musicals over those years.

Apparently, most people agreed. In an attempt to revive the flagging ratings and save the show from permanent banishment to PBS, the 2003 Tony Awards pulled out all the stops with a handsome newcomer to Broadway who’d made a name for himself in a few movies you might have heard of like X-Men, Kate & Leopold and X2. The Australian hunk was currently playing gay in the Peter Allen biographical show The Boy from Oz. Could Wolverine Hugh Jackman save the Tonys?

Hugh Jackman opens the 2003 Tony Awards

At the end of the clip, Jackman jokes about singing “Rose’s Turn.” I would have loved to have seen that, but instead, he let the star of the 2003 revival of Gypsy do the honors. The woman I’d turn straight for (as long as she sang to me all the time and we never had to have sex)… Bernadette Peters.

“Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy by Bernadette Peters at the 2003 Tony Awards

But, of course, the big musical of the year was a quirky tale about a fat girl who longs to dance, segregation, and Harvey Fierstein in drag. This was my first exposure to Hairspray, and although I wouldn’t really fall in love with it until the movie version of the musical based on the original movie came out (I think I needed to see it to get it), this song is infectious no matter who you are.

“You Can’t Stop the Beat” the cast of Hairspray at the 2003 Tony Awards

Moving into 2004, this year was the battle of the sympathetic witch versus the naughty puppets. I was rooting for Wicked, but have to admit that I wasn’t completely disappointed when Avenue Q took home the best musical award. But that battle was nothing compared to the drama over which leading lady of Wicked would snag the best actress award. I feel bad for the three nominees who weren’t from Wicked, because this was a contest between Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth…

“Defying Gravity” with the cast of Wicked at the 2004 Tony Awards

Menzel won (which I agree with), but Chenoweth had the most mainstream success when she appeared on The West Wing and landed a regular role in Pushing Daisies.

And for good measure, here’s the Avenue Q number…

“It Sucks to be Me” by the cast of Avenue Q at the 2004 Tony Awards

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Sunday, June 15 when the 62nd annual Tony Awards take place at Radio City Music Hall. And check back next Monday for the final installment of the Music(al) Monday’s Countdown to the Tony Awards.

Filed under: music, theatregeekery by Jere Keys