The Tony Awards!!!

Okay, so I am totally addicted to award shows...who doesn't love watching people who make much more money than you totally waste it on expensive dresses that they'll never wear again (actually, don't most of them rent their clothes?) and jewelry that is worth more than most people's houses get together to celebrate how great they really are?

No, but in all seriousness, award shows are pretty fun, especially the Tony's. Broadway Shows are incredible and there is a lot of work that goes into them that no one really notices, and so it's nice to acknowledge things like Sound Design and so on. Although, keeping with the tradition that people don't pay much attention to Sound Design, those Tony's weren't given until 2008 and are now given at that little luncheon about a week before the actual show, but progress is being made for the sound designers!! You love your craft and that's what counts, right?

Anyways, I digress. For those of you who missed the show or want to reminisce over the splendor of last night, I have made a list of the Top Moments of the 2009 Tony Awards:

1) The Opening Number

Oh this was fantastic!! Snips from each play, starting out with Elton John and the Billy Elliot kids, leading into scenes from Shrek the Musical, which suddenly doesn't seem so bad as imagined, and including the revival of West Side Story (gag, but they picked a good song to use..."Tonight" was fitting and it was actually kind of cool); Liza was there and sounded like a dying cat as always, but everyone loved her because she is Liza and can do no wrong in the musical theatre world; Dolly Parton sang "9-5" from her show 9-5, based off the movie, and once again reminded people why this backwoods barbie is one of the most successful women in show biz. The Cast of Hair ran into the audience and got their Hippie on singing "Let the Sun Shine In" and it was fantastic. I downloaded the soundtrack immediately after the opening number. And then, for some strange reason, the band Poison was there, I guess related to Rock of Ages but it was a little weird. I guess they were the surprise in the opening number. Anyways, the opening this year was so good!

2) Neil Patrick Harris

This one pretty much speaks for itself. I love NPH and he did a great job hosting. He was hilarious and kept the show moving quickly and almost on time.

3) The Selected Scenes for Best Musical Performed Throughout the Show

With the exception of Next to Normal and West Side Story, I would like to see every one of the shows that were shown. They all look so good this year! The Billy Elliot bit was a bit odd...basically a boy was convulsing on the floor the whole scene. I got a bit concerned for him, but this brings us to...

4) The Billy Elliot Kids!

So, for the first time in Tony History, the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical was shared by three boys. They were so adorable when they got up there and stumbled a bit because they were in shock. They were just too cute...each one thanking their families, the first with one sister, the second, two sisters, and the third, three sisters. It got a good laugh. I think everyone knew they were going to win.

5) Alice Ripley's Acceptance Speech

Huh?? Dear Ms. Ripley- please do not shout into the microphone. And if you are going to shout, please be shouting something that makes sense and is useful. Instead of thanking people, she kinda went into this crazy trance like state and read (quite loudly...I was worried that she might blow a mic or a speaker) a JFK quote about how people will be remembered. It was a little strange because she freakin' SHOUTED it! I'm not sure the point she was trying to make, or why she thought that screaming would make the point any better than if she had just said it, but hey, I remember her speech from the masses, so maybe it worked.

6) Angela Lansbury Wins 5th Tony!

God Bless Angela Lansbury, the original Mrs. Lovett AND Mrs. Potts. She needed help to the stage but man, she's still got that charm and wit about her. She started going off on how surprised she was to win and my mom and I (we were both watching) rolled our eyes. No, Angela, this isn't a surprise. You're Angela Lansbury. Of course you are going to win. It's what you do. She's so cute. Dear Angela Lansbury- if you are reading this, will you be my new grandmother?

7) The Closing Song

Ohh...Neil Patrick Harris again stole the show with a great number wrapping up the night. Look it up on Youtube. Once again, he was hilairous and he proved that he's got the voice to stick around for a while. Please do a broadway musical, Mr. Harris! Perhaps Dr. Horrible goes to Broadway!!? Please?

Anyways,

That was the Tony Awards in a nutshell.