Presented by The Fifth Avenue Theatre
The annual Tony Awards® feature raw talent, theater magic and some of the best performances seen in NYC that year. While I look forward to the various cameos, one-liners and acceptance speeches that always occur, nothing sets the tone for the show like the opening number. I took a trip down memory lane and thoroughly examined* the openings numbers from the last five years of Tony Awards. What follows is my in-depth analysis** of the first few minutes of Broadway's biggest night, ranked from worst to best.
*watched YouTube videos
**gut reactions
5) 65th annual Tony Awards in 2011 hosted by Neil Patrick Harris
“Broadway has never been broader... it’s not just for gays anymore!”
Well … props to NPH for carrying the one joke for 6 minutes straight! He set the stage with a lone spotlight and classic musical theater intro ditty … but the multiple off-key and off-tempo audience/celeb cameos were cringe-worthy. Also worth noting: a giant LED screen wall made for a pretty basic set, especially in comparison to other years.
4) 68th Annual Tony Awards in 2014 hosted by Hugh Jackman
“I’m not Neil Patrick Harris!”
Bless your heart, Hugh. The random and often off-beat hopping was a head scratcher from the start. I can’t blame you for the timing—how does one hop down stairs on-time or hop along with a massive clapping audience? (Please note: AUDIENCE CLAPPING NEVER ENDS WELL.) It was fun to get a backstage look at the venue and did I love the NPH cameo in the elevator. It’s also worth noting that every nominated show got a few seconds to shine, but there wasn’t a performance element for the audience. You know, that audience sitting in the theater? I get it Hugh, you’re crazy athletic and can belt after four minutes of cardio ... but I still can’t figure out why anyone thought this was a good idea.
3) 66th Annual Tony Awards in 2012 hosted by Neil Patrick Harris
“Ding, Dong!”
This year took the entire opening number of Book of Mormon + a few minutes of standup + a full musical number asking "What if life where more like theater?" I remember how hyped the world was for BoM that year, but the three acts didn't seem to flow together. The opener did have a few fun cameos, but the set was similar to 2011's boring LED screen with the addition of a few moving walls. NPH was as lovable as ever, but I wasn't too psyched.
“This year is so big, it’s begging to be handled by both a man and a woman.”
This was a combination I never knew I needed in my life. The banter between Allan and Kristen was fun, flirty and lighthearted. Within seconds I was at the why-don’t-they-have-a-sitcom-yet level. While the opener didn’t have any cameos or set features, the two sang some fantastic songs and attempted delightfully lame choreography while filling up the space with their natural comedic timing. (Also, that moment later in the evening with Kristen as ET? So beautifully, beautifully strange.)
AND THE AWARD FOR TOP TONY AWARD OPENER GOES TO…
1) 67th Annual Tony Awards in 2013 hosted by Neil Patrick Harris
This night WAS bigger, featuring a giant Tony Award! Starting with an ode to Once, NPH came out singing with an acoustic guitar (swoon) and a giant production number began. This was the ultimate big Broadway opener: huge cast cameos, chorus performers galore, moving set pieces, high flying choreography, theater magic and a ton of child actors "high on red bull and endorphins." It was all topped by a hysterical Tom Hooper 'Les Mis' close up and a fast-paced musical number written by Lin Manuel Miranda and Tom Kit. This opener never fails to remind me why I love the musical theater community.
Let’s cross our fingers that the 2016 Tony Opener can top my number one pick! Tune in on June 12 to watch comedian, actor and late-night host James Corden host musical theater’s biggest night. I have high hopes for the lovable expat!
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