If you watched the Tony Awards last night, I hope it wasn’t to experience the hosting prowess of Hugh Jackman.
Because unless you like jokes like: “The cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, ladies and gentlemen. Or as we call it in Australia, Hedwig and the Angry 2.54 Centimeters,” then you’d be sorely disappointed.
That doesn’t mean the night wasn’t without its magical moments though.
Here’s a rundown of notable conversation starters for your theater-geek friends:
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1. The many mouth shapes of Idina Menzel
The If/Then actress gave a jaw-droppingly passionate performance last night, but equally impressive was how much her jaw actually dropped.
2. Audience members gawking at host Hugh Jackman
I mean, I get it. He’s gorgeous. But keep it together, guys.
3. Neil Patrick Harris‘ Hedwig performance being everything
Like when he gave Sting a lap dance.
And Sting liked it.
Or when he grabbed Samuel L. Jacksons glasses off his face, licked the lenses, and gave them back (really).
And Samuel liked it.
But seriously, if you’re only going to watch five minutes of the Tonys, this is without question the number not to miss.
4. Whatever the hell Rocky: The Musical is
OK, Samuel L. Jackson introduced the show and actually calls Rocky: The Musical the show for “anyone who’s ever worked up the courage to say ‘I love you.'”
Thats…wow. I don’t even know what was happening here, but it was memorable if nothing else.
5. Alan Cumming being flawless
If you’re only going to watch ten minutes of the show, Alan Cumming’s Cabaret performance is nothing new, but stunning nonetheless.
6. Clint Eastwood’s empty chair
No, he wasn’t performing that sad song from Le Miz. Remember the weird speech Clint gave to an empty chair at the 2012 RNC? Well, he does.
Because he’s still doing schtick about it.
Two and a half years later.
7. Matt Bomer & Zachary Quinto being gorgeous
No performance to speak of here except for the genetic symphony that created these two beautiful men.
Sigh.
8. This guy’s tie
9. Hugh Jackman, TI and LL Cool J rapping The Music Man
Did this actually happen or was it a dream?
I have no words.
Don't forget to share:
Tony G
I the rapping was a dream. But, sadly it was not.
Tony G
@Tony G:
Make that: I wish the rapping was a dream.
inbama
What, no mention of how transphobic it was to have RuPaul introduce the Hedwig number, the use of the banned term “sex change operation,” and the casting of t-slur-user Doogie Howser when Parker Marie Molloy was available?
Lvng1tor
Come on it was fun and funny and well done. It’s all in good spirit. Why rip into someone. It’s not like he’s releasing an album or saying “I’m a rapper now. Booooyeee!” He actually did a good job. There’s very few actors of his caliber that approach new ideas with so little ego. Good for him!
The rest of the show was pretty darned entertaining and as the trend continues….good PR for the gays. How could you miss Darko Tresnjak kissing and thanking his husband!
Or NPH accepting his Tony!
Lvng1tor
@inbama: And again someone has to come and drain the fun out of a post or just introduce something that has no reason to be in the comments just to be an ass. WHY?
Caine
@inbama: 1) There was nothing transphobic about having RuPaul introduce the number 2) Banned term? Banned by who? And if “sex change operation” has been “banned” then you probably don’t want to go see Hedwig that does a song about it 3) t-slur-user Doogie Howser? Say what?
I think I am going to make t-shirts that say the “T” word on front and the “F” word on back.
jar
In a night of many low points, I found most of these picks to be among them. The Cabaret number was tired and lacked any energy. It looked like it had been set in mothballs for too many years. NPH’s performance looked like NPH doing drag. There was no sense of character at all. It may hurt that I saw John Cameron Mitchell’s moving performance many years ago. The difference was night and day. NPH looked like a kid playing dress up.
I found Audra’s little thank you to her parents for redirecting her hyperactivity into theater instead of drugging her to be a more compelling moment than any of these.
Lvng1tor
@Caine: Inbama is being sarcastic… and trolling for controversy. Please let it go.
AB
What, no comment on Zachary Levi’s pinging the gaydar so loud that he managed to drown out Fran Drescher’s foghorn voice? That’s no small feat.
Qjersey
Idina sure does the “ugly” sing, ouch.
hotboyvb81
Hedwig takes place in late 80s/early 90s- we still used the term sex change back then….words reflect the times- they tried to PC Huckleberry Finn and pretty much distorted/ruined it
Jbaltes
It was a great evening and well done. We were in the audience and experienced the magic of the evening first hand! Jackman was great…and he was even better off camera during commercial breaks. So easy to cast barbs…why can’t we just celebrate an evening that actually embraces the arts rather than picking apart alleged mis-steps. If you don’t like what you’re seeing, change the channel!
andy_d
Let’s hear it for the shameless greed for ratings that resulted in NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PASSING OF THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE THEATER THIS YEAR. The best comment I have seen regarding the fiasco that was this year’s show was “The most WTFing of WTFs.”
Rob54
Yes, andy That was indeed a glaring omission! I always thought that theater folk
are known to have big hearts and care for each other. Maybe they do, and its CBS at fault? But is there no input, by some of the people who run the Tony awards, as to what gets put on and kept off?
bambinoitaliano
And no shot of NPH/Hedwig planting a kiss on his fiancee David Burtka and the applause that follows?
inbama
@Caine:
Caine,
Sorry for any confusion.
I’m not supporting any of that, but after following the Trans/Drag Wars on Queerty and every other gay forum, I fully expected bloodshed.
Maybe the hashtag crowd was watching the NBA.
loafersguy
@andy_d: I agree with you, Andy. I’ve read that it was shown to the people in the theater during commercial break. For those that wish to see it, here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIXpMuDbUe4
inbama
@loafersguy:
I guess that all important “young adult” demographic was thought to be uninterested.
There were some real theater legends there. Thanks for posting.
Sammy Schlipshit
@loafersguy:
Thank you for the link.
I hadn’t thought of the missing segment as I was pretty much enthralled by the whole show.
Everyone was just so filled with life I just didn’t think of death.
Overall, it was a fun evening.
Blackceo
I sure hope Taye Diggs new chick is an upgrade from Idina Menzel in the looks dept.
ingyaom
Is that Sting or Larry Flynt?