TONY Award electioneering was in full tilt this week as the producers of this year’s nominated musicals wined and dined an influential block of Tony voters: the road presenters.
These are the folks who own theaters around the country and “present” Broadway shows on tour. They were in town this week to attend the League of American Theaters and Producers’ annual spring road conference.
The presenters, who make up about 15 percent of the 735 Tony voters, tend to vote en masse for the musical that stands to make the most money in their markets.
This year, that would be “Wicked,” which is grossing more than $1 million a week on Broadway, and will be launching a touring production in 2005.
On Tuesday, the producers of “Wicked” hosted a lunch for the road presenters at Gotham Hall, where the featured attractions were the musical’s leading ladies – Kristin Chenoweth, who performed a jokey Britney Spears number, and Idina Menzel, who sang a jokey Jewish Princess number.
The roadies, by all accounts, loved the girls.
On Wednesday, the roadies were treated to lunch at John’s Pizzeria by the producers of “Avenue Q,” the naughty little puppet show that’s hoping to be the giant killer that picks off “Wicked” at the Tonys.
The producers of “Avenue Q” made no bones about what they were up to: John’s Pizzeria was turned into a convention hall, with red, white and blue streamers dangling from the ceiling.
The producers passed out campaign buttons (“Don’t Suck – Vote Q”) and put on a delightful revue in which the “Q” puppets performed numbers from rival musicals. (“I Go to Rio” from “The Boy From Oz” was especially funny, with a gay puppet impersonating Hugh Jackman.)
The cast sang a song called “Vote Your Heart,” driving home the not-so-subtle message of the whole event: “Wicked” may be the big commercial hit, but we’re cuter, we’ve got more artistic merit, you know you really love us, so forget about your wallet and vote for us!
The roadies loved every minute of it, but the people behind “Wicked” were a little annoyed.
They don’t think it’s sporting to imply that their show lacks artistry and is the front-runner solely because of its commercial prospects.
“The truth is, the voters like ‘Wicked,’ ” a “Wicked” production member said yesterday. “It’s not just about how much money we’re making.”
Other nominated shows threw cocktail parties this week.
There wasn’t a latke in sight, but plenty of gin and tonics and celery sticks at the one for David Leveaux‘s gentile revival of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“Caroline, or Change” put forth its main selling point: book writer Tony Kushner, who delivered an occasionally funny but rambling keynote speech to the roadies about being a socialist.
For the complete text of Kushner’s address, be sure to keep your eye on the New York Times, which will no doubt publish it on the front page of the Arts & Leisure section soon.
I take you now to this week’s meeting of the New York Drama Critics Circle, reconstructed, Bob Woodward-like, from interviews with several of the participants:
John Heilpern (New York Observer): I think we must give Larry Kramer a special award for the revival of “The Normal Heart.” This is an important play that has been with us for 25 years.
Clive Barnes (New York Post): Well, John, “King Lear” has been with us for 400 years. Should we give it a special award, too?
Heilpern: Larry Kramer is a true political hero. He’s had a tremendous influence on other playwrights. Without Larry Kramer, there would be no Tony Kushner.
John Simon (New York): That’s a good reason not to give him an award.
The award is voted down.
Charles Isherwood (Variety): I thought it would be nice to give a special award to Barbara Cook, but she’s in London, so she won’t be able to attend our ceremony next week.
Jacques le Sourd (Journal News): What are we doing here, Charles? Making awards or planning a party, for Chrissake?
The award is approved.
Michael Sommers (Star-Ledger): So who’s going to be Michael Riedel‘s mole this time?
Several critics shift uncomfortably in their seats.
Isherwood: Meeting adjourned.
