Tony Award Musical Performances

I have watched the Tony Awards every year for many, many years. For those who don't know, Tony Awards are given for the best of Broadway.

I started recording the musical numbers from the nominated musicals in 1987 when Les Miserables won for best musical.



The following are some of my favorite performances from past Tony Awards shows:

"Anything Goes" from Anything Goes (featuring Patti LaPone)



"Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" from Guys and Dolls



"My New Philosophy" from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (featuring Kristen Chenowith)



And finally, "Don't Walk Away" from Xanadu (featuring Cheyenne Jackson and Kerry Butler)



There are so many more I could include. I recommend that you go to YouTube and enter "Tony Award musical numbers" to see many more.

The 2012 Tony Awards show was broadcast last night, and there were some good production numbers from nomimated musicals. My favorite was "Sieze the Day" from Newsies, here is the reprise of "Sieze the Day" from the original movie (great choreography in just over one minute):



Tomorrow: Musical highlights from the 2012 Tony Awards.

Stage Review: Xanadu

Is there a decade easier to make fun of than the 1980s? I think not.

Xanadu, the musical, is based on the 80's film of the same name. The movie was a flop, for a good reason - it was a bad movie. So, the question is, why would you create a musical based on a bad movie? Because it's perfect to make fun of. And because the movie had great music.

Hale Center Theater Orem's production of Xanadu is hilarious, and I don't think I've ever laughed so much at any show - play, musical, or movie.

Plot:

Sonny is an artist in Venice Beach, who thinks he in a failure, so he decides to kill himself. The seven muses, Greek demigods who give humans inspiration, come out of a chalk drawing that Sonny drew on a wall. Clio, the head muse, decides to help him. She comes to earth and disguises herself as a leg-warmer-wearing roller skater, named Kira. Oh, and she also sports an Australian accent. She helps him reach his dream of opening a roller disco (remember those?).

Review:

The choreography by Jennifer Hill-Barlow is a great throwback to the 80s. it takes the best and worst of the decade and weaves them together perfectly.

Delaney Westfall is perfect as Clio/Kira. Her acting and singing voice are spot-on for the role, and she had a little of that Olivia Newton-John look going for her, which doesn't hurt either. She also has to spend most of the show on roller skates, for which she deserves major props.

David Guy Holmes plays Sonny with an innocence that is needed for his character. His voice is perfect for the style of music, and he brings an enthusiasm that is infectious.

Another standout performance was Ali Bennett as Calliope, muse of epic poetry. Her comic timing was incredible. She made every scene she was in a joy to watch.

Not very many musicals based on Greek mythology have been hits, or even good, but this is the exception to the rule. I highly recommend Xanadu, especially if you remember the 1980s, fondly or not.