Pretty Little Liars Season Premier!

Oh lord what I can I say about Pretty Little Liars. This is one of the most dramatic shows on TV these days and that is saying something. This is what....the 3rd season? Why does ABC Family have such short seasons? Anyway, we started be recapping the final episode of last season where Ian, the girls' primary suspect for Ali's murders mysteriously disappears after he tried to kill Spencer. Spencer is still "a person of interest" in Ali's murder and her mother the lawyer is doing everything she can to keep the cops off the scent. Also on a side note, these girls drink more coffee than anyone I've ever seen, including me!

We also have a return of the scrumptious Noel Kahn & Mona is just as obnoxious and crazy as ever. It really amazes me how much time Aria and Ezra spend one-on-one at school of all places. The other students and faculty must think she is either the dumbest or the most gifted student at that school to get so much personal attention from teacher.

 Isn't it funny how Spencer's parents won't let Toby in their house because "he is bad" but then Toby's parents won't let Spencer into their house because "she is bad". Emily is her typical angsty self and nearly jumps out of her skin when the Realtor walks into her house and proceeds to give her mom the cold shoulder. How is it that all of these girls have perfect waves at all times? There is never a bad hair day in Rosewood unless its Toby. I feel bad for Spencer and how she is treated by her family. She is like the prodigal son who never actually did anything bad.

I feel like this show never moves forward...all they do is rehash the past. Probably because the show hinges on the anonymity of "A" and once his/her identity is revealed, goodbye plot. The grief counseling scene is yet another way for these girls to relive the past "where they weren't always this close." Now Caleb is coming back to Hannah, hello past. Mona is the hag of all hags. Who died and made her the new Queen Bee? Oh right, Ali did.......

Melissa is being nice to Spencer again and now she is gabbing about baby names. She clearly wants something and I don't know what it is but she is going to such a crazy place! Also, Aria, how could you be Ezra's "rebound girl?" You are like twelve!

Quote of the episode: "You know what I love about Saturdays? The feeling I get when I look up and realize we have the whole day to spend together." -Ezra Fitz

Emily, if the therapist "has to keep your secret" then what good is it to tell her all of your secrets? What advice can she possibly give to you without going to the police?

Why would A steal Ezra's diploma and plant it in the therapists's office? Would a therapist really recommend that a group of friends separate when they are helping each other cope with tragedy? There are so many inconsistencies in this episode it's not even funny. And to top it all off we have the now trite "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri....and a horrible cut to boot.

The episode (finally) ends with Spencer running ass over her house from a shadow.....that turns out to be Toby. If he wasn't a creeper, then why would he be running around her house in the dark. Then she receives a text from "Ian" that says "its not safe I can't tell you". We come to the conclusion that Ian is alive because he responds to the text that they are naming the baby Taylor. And to top it all off, the recurring character in the black leather gloves visits Emily's open house and either downloads or deletes something to her computer.

Was anything in this episode new? No. Did we get any further toward solving the case of Alison & A? No. Why do I still watch this show? It's so tacky that I can't get enough!

The Tonys Are Not Just For Gays Anymore

As Neil Patrick Harris told us last night, the Tony Awards are not just for the gays anymore, but keep in mind he sang those lyrics while being carried by those sailors over there on the left. Overall I think the 2011 ceremony beat the pants off of the 2010 and here are 5 reasons why...

1) More Broadway & Less Hollywood: last year we had the huge controversy of "Hollywood" taking over the Tonys with Scarlett Johannson & Catherine Zeta-Jones winning two of the big awards and Green Day getting more airtime than any of the nominated performers. This year we struck a healthy balance with TV& film stars like Ellen Barkin & John Laroquette winning two of the featured play acting categories while bona fide musical theatre stars Sutton Foster & Norbert Leo Butz won Best Leading Actress & Actor in a musical respectively.

3) Opening Number: This year's NPH number "the Tonys aren't for gays anymore" was catchy and sassy and beat the pants off of last year's "Broadway/Pop" medley with the awkward blending of Memphis, Come Fly Away, and Fela, though last year had Sherie Rene Scott and her Menonettes which were sorely missed on this year's telecast. However, nothing will beat 2009 in my mind where we saw Elton John, Liza, Dolly Parton, and the cast of HAIR all on stage at the same time.

4) Performances: Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Catch Me If You Can all gave show stopping performances that made me happily forget the memories of Memphis, Fela, and Come Fly Away on last year's broadcast. We also avoided the sound glitches that were so very evident the past two years.

5) The Speeches: I was thrilled to see so many people cry this year as they accepted their awards. This is the theatre and I want emotion darn it! Ellen Barkin started it off and though she contained her emotion during her speech, she burst into tears when she made her exit. Nikki M. James was absolutely hysterical in her surprise win and though we could barely understand what she said, we loved her anyway. Norbert Leo Butz was so genuine and surprised as he accepted his award and dedicated it to his family: his ex-Wicked wife, his father whom he based his character on, and his sister who tragically took her own life last year. The surprise of the night for me was when Sutton Foster went to a crazy place and emoted hysterically, not about her boyfriend or her family, but about her dresser!! Apparently he is the best artist in the world and he's taking his talents to Cape Cod. Loves it! She also thanked her childhood dance and music teachers which is the first thing I'll do when I win my first (or second) Tony!

The 2011 TONY Awards Live Blog

Now that the Tonys are over I have a few thoughts. The Book of Mormon is clearly the show to see as it won 3 design awards, director, book, score, featured actress, scenic design, and best musical. This was all to be expected. I was 4/4 in the acting in a play categories, but I only correctly predicted 1 of the 4 acting in a musical categories. I think we all knew Sutton Foster would win, but the rest were a surprise to me. How amazing for Norbert Leo Butz!? I am so happy for him, though I doubted he could win because I thought of his role as being more featured than leading. And though I wanted Tony Sheldon to win for Priscilla, I am so happy for Norbert (and that neither of the Mormon boys won). I wanted Laura Benanti to win so badly that I was upset to hear Nikki M. James' name called, but after seeing how genuinely surprised she was and how humble she was, I was happy for her all the same. It seems the featured actresses in musicals always have the best speeches. John Laroquette, winning Best Featured Actor in a Musical, was also a surprise to me because I thought the momentum was in Rory O'Malley's favor. However, I am happy to see How To Succeed recognized in some way shape or form. Though no opening number will match up to 2009 in my opinion, this one was pretty good. It was a great awards night and a great celebration of Broadway.  So that's a wrap up for me, Good Night!

11:00 So then Mormon won best musical....duh we knew that!
10:54 Yay Norbert! We love you so much and we are so happy that you and Sutton won twice!
10:39 I love you Sutton Foster...we knew you'd win! And I just love that you cried
10: 30 Frances McDormand is wearing a dress from Forever 21
10:47 I just die when I see Patti in Compnay
10:07 Patti is dying in her seat when Sutton performed Anything Goes
9:58 Patti is coming up soon! Company!!!!!
9:23 Spider-Man.....this song is underwhelming
9:13 OMG we love Hugh Jackman!!
9:07 Hahah how didn't Mormon win best choreo?
9:00 OMG our first major crier!!!! Nikki M. James!! I wanted Laura Benati but oh well
8:40: Directing awards go to War Horse & Book of Mormon! (I picked War Horse)
8:33 Norbert Leo Butz is KILLING this number! So phenomenal....now I know why Norbert was pushed into Leading Actor Category
8:28 I correctly chose John Benjamin Hickey as the winner of Best Featured Actor in a play!! 5/6
8:23 John Leguizamo.....is the illegitimate child of Ahnold. His whole bit was so unecessary
8:21 My first wrong guess of the night....Best Sound Design of a Musical goes to Brian Ronan for Book of Mormon....I predicted Brian Ronan for Anything Goes
8:13 Okay so D-Rads does not sound that bad; very snappy choreography by Rob Ashford
8:12 Aww Daniel Radcliffe, such a cutie patootie to quote Rose O'D
8:10 Ellen gives a very eloquent speech and was on the verge of tears, she does not completely weep until she exits the stage
8:06 Alec Baldwin to announce the Featured Actress in a Play award! I picked Ellen Barkin...it goes to Ellen Barkin; i'm 4/4!
8:05 I love the choreo of this opening number so much! I die!
8:02 Please don't tell me this is the entire opening number?
8:00 Live broadcast....OMG I die! I'm loving this uber-queer opening number!
7:53 So far I'm 3/3 in  my Tony Predictions! Score & Orchestrations to Mormon and Choreography to Anything Goes!

7:16 Wow Vanessa Redgrave is just exquisite. I see shades of Natasha Richardson in her face & hear her in her voice. So phenomenal.
7:13 Vicky Clark is looking like such a diva in her deep V (V for Victoria) and her ruffles. Vicky gives a shout out to God and that is always a good thing.
7:12 OMG Patti & Andrew Lloyd Webber are on the same red carpet at the same time!
7:11 ZOMG Patti I Die! She is looking phenom flanked by both of her men!
7:07 Oh god who let Andrew Lloyd Webber out of his cave and why is that hag wearing all those feathers?
7:05 OMG Tony Sheldon, my pick for Best Actor in a Musical! Love Beth Leavel, but she is in a turn of a show, Baby Its You!
7:00 Sutton is too a "broad" you dumbass host! Sutton looks like she wants to vomit and Bobby Cannavale looks like he is going to murder someone.
6:59 Get it Sutton. I love you doll face and your dress is so out of character for you. Sutton is very nervous and I think that means she's going to win!!
6:54 Here comes the War Horse team. If it wins it will be because of the production, not because of the play itself
6:53 Matthew Broderick is looking old as all get out.
6:51 Who doesn't love David Hyde Pierce? Can't wait to see this new musical he is directing!
6:45 Its funny how Joe Mantello directed Joel Grey in Wicked and Joel Grey just directed Joe Mantello in The Normal Heart. I love them both. I havent seen it but I hear this production of The Normal Heart is simply fantastic. Also George C. Wolfe looks like a nutter with that hair
6:45 Sutton Foster looks divine in her strapless forest green number! Very much a fashion departure for la Sutton
6:40 Susan Stroman is a phenomenal choreographer, truly an idol of mine. I am thrilled that Scottsboro Boys was remembered by the nominators. It is so phenomenal to see John Kander. RIP Fred Ebb. I hope they can pull out a surprise win for best score.
6:38 Shameless name-dropping of Whoopie Goldberg by the team behind Sister Act
6:36 Its weird that Norbert is nominated for something without Sherie Rene Scott :(
6:35 Omg Fiyero & Nessarose! Precious!
6:31 Nikki M. James is and bright-eyed and cute, but she is in a category with some heavy hitters, all of which are previous winners or nominees
6:29 I don't necessarily love Josh Gad as much as everybody else but Rory O'Malley is precious. These two are hilarious together.
6:24 I loved Lombardi and Judith Light was phenomenal in it. She was a front runner back in the fall, but I think the fact that her show closed will hurt her as other actresses have come into the head of the race.
6:22 Judith Light looks like Farah Fawcett in the 1970s. I don't know what she is wearing but I really still love her anyway.
6:19 Its so great to see Bobby Lopez back after winning for Avenue Q in 2004. How exciting for him! Its great to see a completely original musical as the front runner for Best Musical this season. What a nice change!
6:16 It will be so funny all night to listen to announcers and presenters trip over the title of the play "The Motherfu**er with the Hat
6:12 Great plug for Spider-Man (which is finally opening) with a Tony performance. Jen Damiano looks flawless in a classic hairstyle and red lip with a fab gold dress.
6:11 Judith Light I love you sweetheart but what the hell are you wearing?
6:09 This host just mispronounced choreography...shameful! I love Kathleen Marshall and she has huge hits (Anything Goes) and huge misses (Grease) so I think she has a shot at best director and I feel she's a shoe in for choreographer.
6:07 Patina Miller is the Sutton Foster of this season, coming out of the ensemble to play the lead and score a Tony nomination. Ironically, she is a co-front runner with Sutton Foster. Ps I love that Patina and "Vicky" Clark are buddies.
6:06 Andrew Rannells is such a camera whore, is it just me or does he look plastic?
6:03 Andrew Rannels is so cute, if only he weren't gay like the rest of Broadway. Edie looks fab as usual. Ellen Barkin is favored in the Best Featured Actress in a Play category, but then again awards shows love Edie Falco so she certainly has a shot at it. She is a true class act and is so committed to the craft.
6:01 I watched the Tonys live in Times Square two years ago and it was such a fun time, I just loved it! Tovah Feldshuh is so glam, looking dashing in red
6:00 Here we go, Tonys 2011 Red Carpet live on tonyawards.com

Who's That Woman: My Review of Follies

Some of Stephen Sondheim's most catchy tunes, ornate costumes and sets, and the divine Miss Bernadette Peters...what more could you ask for? Many musical theatre aficionados will not be happy with a production of Follies until one directly matches the original from 1971, but the Kennedy Center's current incarnation does a completely respectable job in hearkening back to the original while updating in a few places. The production is what I'll call hauntingly stunning in that the visuals are sharp and memorable while they evoke a feeling of longing for what once was...or never was. The opening moment will stay with me forever and yet it is remarkably simplistic. As the lights come up ever so dimly, a gorgeous showgirl ever so slightly raises and lowers her arms. As she begins to turn to face down stage, other show girls enter unison with the overture and we are immediately transported back to 1940 when the dancing girls were the epitome of style and class.

The first star entrance is that of two-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters in the role of Sally Durant Plummer. She looks so darn sweet and hopeful as she swoons at the thought of returning the New York City and reuniting with those from her past that she almost reminds you of little orphan Annie. This is not the strong, domineering Bernadette that we saw in Gypsy, or more recently in A Little Night Music, but a fragile and delusional woman who seems to forget that she is well beyond her showgirl days and therefore, past her prime. She is soon reunited with a diverse cast of characters that were her friends and fellow dancers 30 years prior, most noticeably her former roommate Phyllis Rogers Stone played by the luminous Jan Maxwell. Director Eric Schaeffer does a beautiful job of incorporated the younger selves, or ghosts, of Sally and Phyllis as well as their respective husbands Buddy and Ben in the song Waiting For the Girls Upstairs, where we learn that the foursome went dancing many a night after the boys waited for the girls at the stagedoor. We also learn very quickly that Sally is not and has never been happy with Buddy, as she has always longed for her first love Ben who married Phyllis so many years ago.

In the beginning of the first act we are treated to Broadway Baby, Ah Paris, and In Buddy's Eyes. Linda Lavin, Regine, and Ms. Peters respectively perform the heck out of these songs, though they appear more as cabaret numbers rather than integrated pieces of the show. This may be a flaw in the show's book or in the direction, but I'm willing to forgive that because of what comes up next, the show-stopping Who's That Woman led by the commanding Terri White. She taps, she belts, what doesn't she do? The choreography is relatively simplistic, but this production number performed by all the former showgirls is just so entertaining that you want to be on your feet dancing along with them. Watching Bernadette tap in her LaDucas is just one of most delightful things I've ever seen.

The rest of Act I includes the phenomenal I'm Still Here by an illustrious Elaine Paige who has a penchant for the over-dramatic. At the end of the act things really fall apart as Buddy and Phyllis realize that his wife is in love, and borderline obsessed, with her husband. Too Many Mornings, the act I finale is beautifully staged between Sally, Ben (Ron Raines) and their young ghosts. Ben goes so far as to kiss Sally and being the egotistical womanizer he is, it means nothing to him though Sally takes it as an announcement of love and a marriage proposal. Ms. Peters is quite fantastic in this scene as we sympathize with her Sally because Ben is playing so nonchalantly with her emotions.

Act II gives us a much better look at the talents of the show's other stars Jan Maxwell and Danny Burstein. Her Could I Leave You is a perfect example of why Sondheim normally casts actors who sing rather than singers who act. Her attention to character and emotion in this song about divorcing Ben is spot on and though her vocal tone is not always perfect, we'll forgive her. We reach the emotional climax of the show in Loveland a dream sequence where the primary characters and their younger selves deliver performances that reveal their deepest emotions. Buddy's Blues is a vaudeville-style number that demonstrates Danny Burstein's true talents as a song and dance man as well as a gifted actor and Live Laugh Love shows us how emotionally tortured Ben has felt throughout his life. The Story of Lucy and Jessie is meant to be a showstopper for Phyllis, but unfortunately the choreography does nothing for Jan Maxwell but make her look inadequate while the male ensemble pulls focus. The highlight, for me, of the second act is Sally's Losing My Mind where she reveals the depths of her obsession with Ben and the turmoil it puts her though day after day as the smallest things from the sun and a cup of coffee make her daydream of him. I've said it before but watching Bernadette Peters sing on stage is like taking a master class in acting a song. She stands still downstage center for the entire song and never moves, not even her arms. Every ounce of emotion is on her face and in her voice. Her performance of this song is something I will remember for my entire life.

It is debatable whether the show ends with a tiny bit of hope or in complete despair and I guess it depends on the person. I'll paraphrase the final lines, but after Ben decides to stay with Phyllis, Buddy walks Sally out of the theatre and tells her they'll wait until tomorrow and decide what to do, to which Sally responds that it is already tomorrow. I guess we'll really never know what happens to these characters after the show ends and that is, for me, the most frustrating part of the show.

Its been nearly a week since I saw Follies and I've been trying to formulate my opinions, but I've struggled. One conclusion that I've come to is that every important piece of plot and emotion is covered in the songs so perhaps this show is better done in concert than in a fully staged production. Then those great numbers like Broadway Baby won't stand out because they don't fit into the plot, but simply because they are fantastic songs.

My 2011 TONY Predictions

We are approaching my favorite day of the year, the Tony awards! Next Sunday, June 12th, Broadway's finest will unite to award the best shows, performances, and designs of the 2010-2011 Broadway season. I've been anxiously awaiting the Tonys for months and I'll be live-blogging and tweeting from the time the red carpet coverage begins at 6pm on tonyawards.com until the time the live-broadcast on CBS ends. Join me all week right here and over on my twitter page @barbiebackstage for updates! For now, here are all of the nominees and my predictions for each category's winner.

Best Play: Good People Author: David Lindsay-Abaire, Jerusalem Author: Jez Butterworth, The Motherf**ker with the Hat Author: Stephen Adly Guirgis, War Horse Author: Nick Stafford

My Pick: War Horse by Nick Stafford-having won the Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle Awards, this is a fairly safe prediction; it is also the 'biggest play' of the season in terms of design and spectacle

Best Musical: The Book of Mormon, Catch Me If You Can, The Scottsboro Boys, Sister Act 

My Pick: The Book of Mormon-this show has swept the awards this season and has been loved by critics and audiences alike as a truly original musical, if it is not named "Best Musical" it will be the biggest upset in many seasons

Best Book of a Musical: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Alex Timbers, The Book of Mormon Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, The Scottsboro Boys David Thompson, Sister Act Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane 

My Pick: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone for The Book of Mormon-this new musical has been praised for its wit and dark humor at the hands of the team behind "South Park" and as any great book should do, it rises to meet the score and carries the actors to where they begin to sing

Best Original Score: The Book of Mormon Music & Lyrics: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone,
The Scottsboro Boys Music & Lyrics: John Kander & Fred Ebb, Sister Act Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Glenn Slater, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek

My Pick: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone for The Book of Mormon-again, no show has received such praise this season and while I'd like it to go to Women on the Verge, I think "Mormon" has it in the bag

Best Revival of a Play: Arcadia, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Merchant of Venice, The Normal Heart 

My Pick: The Normal Heart-this revival was praised by critics and was touted by audience members as "deeply moving"

Best Revival of a Musical: Anything Goes, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying 

My Pick: Anything Goes-of only 2 revivals this season, this is far superior to How to Succeed 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Brian Bedford The Importance of Being Earnest, Bobby Cannavale The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Joe Mantello The Normal Heart, Al Pacino The Merchant of Venice, Mark Rylance Jerusalem 

My Pick: Mark Rylance for Jerusalem-this is a very tight category, probably the tightest of all in my opinion, and anyone could win but my gut is telling my Mark Rylance since he gave not one but two outstanding Broadway performances this season

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Nina Arianda Born Yesterday, Frances McDormand Good People, Lily Rabe The Merchant of Venice, Vanessa Redgrave Driving Miss Daisy, Hannah Yelland Brief Encounter 

My Pick: Frances McDormand for Good People-Nina Arianda seems to be gaining a lot of momentum and could pull of a win on Sunday, but I'm still giving the edge to McDormand, the winner of this year's Drama Desk, and co-winner of the Outer Critics Circle along with Arianda

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Norbert Leo Butz Catch Me If You Can, Josh Gad The Book of Mormon, Joshua Henry The Scottsboro Boys, Andrew Rannells The Book of Mormon, Tony Sheldon Priscilla Queen of the Desert 

My Pick: Tony Sheldon for Priscilla Queen of the Desert-though he hasn't won any of the early awards this season, my money is still on Sheldon because let's face it, Broadway loves a good Queen in drag

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Sutton Foster Anything Goes, Beth Leavel Baby It's You, Patina Miller Sister Act, Donna Murphy The People in the Picture

My Pick: Sutton Foster for Anything Goes-before the reviews came out, everybody thought hands down that Patina Miller would win, but Sutton had the critics at hello and the fans followed; she has also won the Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle this season and I can only suspect that Tony will choose her too

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Mackenzie Crook Jerusalem, Billy Crudup Arcadia, John Benjamin Hickey The Normal Heart, Arian Moayed Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Yul Vázquez The Motherf**ker with the Hat 

My Pick: John Benjamin Hickey for The Normal Heart-I'm going out on a limb with this one and based on reviews, word of mouth, and my own gut feelings, I think Hickey will take it

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Ellen Barkin The Normal Heart, Edie Falco The House of Blue Leaves, Judith Light Lombardi, Joanna Lumley La Bête, Elizabeth Rodriguez The Motherf**ker with the Hat 

My Pick: Ellen Barkin for The Normal Heart-again, I'm jumping on the Normal Heart bandwagon and I think Barkin will take this category; I loved Judith Light in Lombardi but because Light's show opened early in the season, I think the momentum is really in Barkin's favor at this point in the race

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Colman Domingo The Scottsboro Boys, Adam Godley Anything Goes, John Larroquette How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Forrest McClendon The Scottsboro Boys, Rory O'Malley The Book of Mormon 

My Pick: Rory O'Malley for The Book of Mormon-I'm going to be slightly cynical here and suggest that the show that will probably win Best Book, Score & Musical will have to win at least one acting award and I think that O'Malley has the best shot

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Laura Benanti Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Tammy Blanchard How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Victoria Clark Sister Act, Nikki M. James The Book of Mormon, Patti LuPone Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown 

My Pick: Laura Benanti for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown-if we look at the winner in this category last season, Katie Finneran for Promises, Promises, Laura Benanti seems a natural fit to take the award this year; she did exactly what the nominees in this category should do in taking a small role and making it the most memorable part of the show

Best Direction of a Play: Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris War Horse, Joel Grey & George C. Wolfe The Normal Heart, Anna D. Shapiro The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Daniel Sullivan The Merchant of Venice

My Pick: Marianne Elliott & Tom Morris for War Horse-again this is a tough category but I think War Horse has the momentum going into Tony night and in such a big technical piece as this, direction is key

Best Direction of a Musical: Rob Ashford How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Kathleen Marshall Anything Goes, Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker The Book of Mormon, Susan Stroman The Scottsboro Boys 

My Pick: Kathleen Marshall for Anything Goes-Nicholaw & Parker for The Book of Mormon are the easy choices here, but something tells me that Kathleen Marshall will pull this off and perhaps I think that because a grandiose musical such as Anything Goes has so many moving parts that it takes such attention to detail to really pull it off well and Kathleen Marshall has done just that

Best Choreography: Rob Ashford How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Kathleen Marshall Anything Goes, Casey Nicholaw The Book of Mormon, Susan Stroman The Scottsboro Boys

My Pick: Kathleen Marshall for Anything Goes-directing and choreographing is such a tall order and when it is done so well as in this case, I think Kathleen Marshall will take the category

Best Orchestrations: Doug Besterman How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Larry Hochman The Scottsboro Boys, Larry Hochman & Stephen Oremus The Book of Mormon, Marc Shaiman & Larry Blank Catch Me If You Can

My Pick: Larry Hochman & Stephen Oremus for The Book of Mormon-I was convinced Women on the Verge would be nominated in and win this category but since it's not, I'll have to go with the favorite, The Book of Mormon

Best Scenic Design of a Play: Todd Rosenthal The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Rae Smith War Horse, 
Ultz Jerusalem, Mark Wendland The Merchant of Venice 

My Pick: Rae Smith for War Horse-my conundrum here is whether or not to consider the horse/puppetry as part of the scenic design and if so, War Horse wins this hands down; if we are laving out the puppets, I'll have to go with Jerusalem

Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Beowulf Boritt The Scottsboro Boys, Derek McLane Anything Goes, Scott Pask The Book of Mormon, Donyale Werle Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson 

My Pick: Derek McLane for Anything Goes-I think this will go the route of the 2008 revival of South Pacific and take all the design categories, its just my gut feeling, especially since none of the other musicals this season are nearly as "big" in terms of production value

Best Costume Design of a Play: Jess Goldstein The Merchant of Venice, Desmond Heeley The Importance of Being Earnest, Mark Thompson La Bête, Catherine Zuber Born Yesterday

My Pick: Desmond Heely for The Importance of Being Earnest-I tend to give the nod to period costumes in a category like this and visually I found these to be the most interesting

Best Costume Design of a Musical: Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Martin Pakledinaz Anything Goes, Ann Roth The Book of Mormon, Catherine Zuber How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

My Pick: Martin Pakledinaz for Anything Goes-though Priscilla is an easy choice, those costumes may be too over the top even for the Tony awards and here, Marin Pakledinaz' designs fit the period without looking dated, not to mention they allow the characters to sing and dance with easy and make them sparkle

Best Lighting Design of a Play: Paule Constable War Horse, David Lander Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Kenneth Posner The Merchant of Venice, Mimi Jordan Sherin Jerusalem 

My Pick: Paule Constable for War Horse-again, I'm giving the nod to the biggest technical piece of all the nominees

Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Ken Billington The Scottsboro Boys, Howell Binkley How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Peter Kaczorowski Anything Goes, Brian MacDevitt The Book of Mormon 

My Pick: Peter Kaczorowski for Anything Goes-again, I think Anything Goes will pull a South Pacific

Best Sound Design of a Play: Acme Sound Partners and Cricket S. Myers Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Simon Baker Brief Encounter, Ian Dickinson for Autograph Jerusalem, Christopher Shutt War Horse

My Pick: Ian Dickinson for Jerusalem-because of the nature of the shows, this should come down to War Horse or Jerusalem but I really fell in my gut that Jerusalem will take this

Best Sound Design of a Musical: Peter Hylenski The Scottsboro Boys, Steve Canyon Kennedy Catch Me If You Can, Brian Ronan Anything Goes, Brian Ronan The Book of Mormon

My Pick: Brian Ronan for Anything Goes-pulling a South Pacific

2011 Tony Award Nominee Predictions

It is now May 2nd and thus, all Tony-eligible shows have opened. The critics have had their say, and now the Tony voters will have theirs. The 2011 Tony Award Nominees will be announced tomorrow on Tuesday May 3rd at 8:30am EST on tonyawards.com and I can't wait! I am going to do my best to predict the nominees based on reviews & personal opinions. I'm just guessing at the nominees for now, but I'll certainly make my predictions for winners once the nominees are announced. I'm not going to even venture a guess on the technical categories because I have not seen all of the productions and these awards are primarily based on visual impact.

Best Play:
Good People                           David Lindsay-Abaire
Jerusalem                               Nez Butterworth
The Mother**With The Hat        Stephen Adly Guirgis
War Horse                              Nick Stafford

Best Musical:
Catch Me If You Can                Terrence McNally, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Priscilla Queen of the Desert     Stephen Elliot & Allan Scott
Sister Act                                Alan Menken & Glen Slater
The Book of Mormon                Robert Lopez, Trey Parker & Matt Stone

Best Book of a Musical:
Iris Rainer Dart                        The People in the Picture   
Lopez, Parker & Stone             The Book of Mormon             
Terrence McNally                     Catch Me If You Can
David Thompson                      The Scottsboro Boys              


Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre:
Catch Me If You Can                Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman

The Book of Mormon                Robert Lopez, Trey Parker & Matt Stone

The Scottsboro Boys                John Kander & Fred Ebb 

Women on the Verge...             David Yazbek

Best Revival of a Play:

The House of Blue Leaves        John Guare

The Importance...Earnest         Oscar Wilde

The Merchant of Venice            William Shakespeare
The Normal Heart                     Larry Kramer

Best Revival of a Musical:

Anything Goes                          Cole Porter

How To Succeed...                    Frank Loesser     

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play:
Brian Bedford                            The Importance of Being Earnest
Bobby Cannavale                      The Mother** with the Hat

Joe Mantello                             The Normal Heart

Al Pacino                                  The Merchant of Venice

Mark Rylance                            Jerusalem

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play:

Cherry Jones                            Mrs. Warren's Profession

Frances McDormand                 Good People

Lily Rabe                                  The Merchant of Venice

Vanessa Redgrave                    Driving Miss Daisy
Kathleen Turner                        High

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical:
Norbert Leo Butz                       Catch Me If You Can

Josh Gad                                   The Book of Mormon

Daniel Radcliffe                         How To Succeed...

Andrew Rannells                       The Book of Mormon

Tony Sheldon                            Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical:

Sutton Foster                            Anything Goes

Patina Miller                             Sister Act

Donna Murphy                         The People In The Picture

Sherie Rene Scott                     Women on the Verge...

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play:
Mackenzie Crook                     Jerusalem
Tate Donovan                           Good People

John Benjamin Hickey               The Normal Heart
Jim Parsons                               The Normal Heart
Yul Vasquez                              The Mother** with the Hat

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play:
Ellen Barkin                               The Normal Heart
Edie Falco                                 The House of Blue Leaves

Judith Light                                Lombardi

Estelle Parsons                           Good People
Elizabeth Rodriguez                    The Mother** with the Hat

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical:

Nick Adams                              Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Joel Grey                                   Catch Me If You Can

John Laroquette                         How to Succeed

Rory O'Malley                           The Book of Mormon
Tom Wopat                               Catch Me If You Can

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical:

Laura Benanti                             Women on the Verge...

Kerry Butler                               Catch Me If You Can

Victoria Clark                            Sister Act

Nikki M. James                         The Book of Mormon

Laura Osnes                              Anything Goes

Best Direction of a Play:

Marianne Elliot & Tom Morris      War Horse
Joel Grey & Goerge C. Wolfe      The Normal Heart
Emma Rice                                  Brief Encounter

Anna D. Shapiro                         The Mother** with the Hat

Best Direction of a Musical:

Kathleen Marshall                        Anything Goes
Nicholaw/Parker                          The Book of Mormon

Susan Stroman                            The Scottsboro Boys
Alex Timbers                               Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Best Choreography:

Rob Ashford                              How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Ross Coleman                           Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Kathleen Marshall                      Anything Goes

Jerry Mitchell                             Catch Me If You Can

2011 World Figure Skating Championships: Free Dance Live Blog

1) Charlene Guignard & Marco Fabbri (ITA)
 Music: March With Me

• Who decided that these costumes were necessary?
• Nice tight twizzles
• But seriously can we get a deduction for that heinous costume
• They are practically at  a standstill at some points of this program
• When in doubt, do a haircutter position in your rotational lift?
• Slight bobble by Marco on the curve lift
• Thank god Barbra Fusar-Poli created something tackier than herself

 FD Score: 37.15 (TES) + 33.07 (PCS) - (DED) = 70.22
 Combined Total: 49.80 (SD) + 70.22 (FD) = 120.02

2) Xintong Huang & Xun Zheng (CHN)

 Music: Singing In The Rain

• They have a nice light quality, a good lilt to their movements
• Simple position on the curve lift
• Not the fastest twizzles, but pretty good unison
• The straight line lift is like an homage to swing dancing, but position changes and exit could be much smoother
• I love his sweater vest
• This techno rap remix in the middle of the piece completely ruins the romantic, Old Hollywood feel
• Very nice hydroblade move

 FD Score: 36.08 (TES) + 34.76 (PCS) - (DED) = 70.84

 Combined Total: 52.17 (SD) + 70.84 (FD) = 123.01

3) Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland (GBR)

 Music: The Lion King

• They are carrying great speed right now, let's see if they can maintain it and stay in control
• Loss of unison in twizzles
• The lift with him in a low position and her on his upper back is interesting
• Her upside down balance on his knee is also nice
• I love this music and they seem to be able to emote with it quite well
• They have mostly maintained their energy level throughout
• They have a lot of potential and are now the top team in Great Britain

 FD Score: 38.93 (TES) + 35.61 (PCS) - (DED) = 74.54

 Combined Total: 51.75 (SD) + 74.54 (FD) = 126.29

4) Louise Walden & Owen Edwards (GBR)

 Music: Goodbye Lenin

• Decent rotational lift
• I like the tempo of this music
• That fee leg twizzle was too much for them to maintain
• That is an interesting dance spin position
• Some unique counter-balance moves
• Nice innovation, but lacked polish

 FD Score: 38.28 (TES) + 31.51 (PCS) - (DED) = 69.79

 Combined Total: 46.73 (SD) + 69.79 (FD) = 116.52

5) Allison Reed& Otar Japaridze (GEO)

 Music: The Messiah Will Come Again/Pretty Woman

• This seems like a piece of music that Lang & Tschernyshev would've skated to
• That double spread eagle movement was awkward
• Very slow and out of synch twizzles
• The age difference between them (16 & 23) is borderline awkward
• Why is she dressed as Xena warrior princess
• They have a lot of passion and energy, but lack the control and polish of better teams

 FD Score: 37.15 (TES) + 33.52 (PCS) - (DED) = 70.67

 Combined Total: 49.44 (SD) + 70.67 (FD) = 120.11

6) Siobhan Heekin-Canedy & Alexander Shakalov (UKR)

 Music: La Vie En Rose/Padam Padam/ L'Arrestation/Je Ne Regrette Rien

• Very elegant, good flow
• Positions are interesting in the dance spin but they could be more stretched
• I love Padam, Padam
• I really want them to pick up some more speed
• Good unison on twizzles but a little slow
• They use levels well
• This is an example of good music editing
• These costumes are very elegant and they really relate well to one another
• Could've used more speed on final lift

 FD Score: 40.70 (TES) + 36.69 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 76.39

 Combined Total: 52.31 (SD) + 76.39 (FD) = 128.70

7) Isabella Tobias & Deividas Stagniunas (LTU)

 Music: Les Miserables

• Her hair looks a mess, did she brush it?
• Really fast twizzles like the other Zoueva & Shpilband teams
• I like the positions in the dance spin
• I think we could do without the lyrics in this piece
• The size of their movements is not living up to the power of the vocals
• These costumes also don't scream Les Miz to me
• Nice hydroblade move, I like his dramatic arm movements

 FD Score: 39.68 (TES) + 38.17 (PCS) - (DED) = 77.85

 Combined Total: 53.16 (SD) + 77.85 (FD) = 131.01

8) Cathy Reed & Chris Reed (JPN)

 Music: Just for a Little While/Aint No Sunshine/Think

• Nice twizzles
• Nice improvements since the last time I saw them
• This music is a little to romantic for a sibling team
• The "Think" section suits a brother and sister team better in my opinion
• The rotational lift is nice, but we've all seen that position many times before
• I enjoy watching Chris more than Cathy because he is more expressive
• Chris fell  doing a hitch kick in literally the last second of the piece

 FD Score: 41.64 (TES) + 37.83 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 78.47

 Combined Total: 54.86 (SD) + 78.47 (FD) = 133.33

9) Nelli Zhiganshina & Alexander Gazsi (GER)

 Music: Liebestraum/Four Seasons

• Really nice twizzles
• Good attention to character details
• I don't love the background noise that is in this arrangement
• Small stumble by Alexander getting up from a kneel
• I like that they use true ballet-inspired movements
• They look very happy with that

 FD Score: 44.13 (TES) + 41.29 (PCS) - (DED) = 85.42

 Combined Total: 55.53 (SD) + 85.42 (FD) = 140.95

10) Pernelle Carron & Lloyd Jones (FRA)

 Music: George Gershwin Medley

• I love me some Gershwin
• Some unison issues on the twizzles
• I love the costumes
• They are a nice team but they look very young, some more experience will give them a more mature look
• They almost look like they could be a brother-sister team

 FD Score: 41.55 (TES) + 41.63 (PCS) - (DED) = 83.18

 Combined Total: 57.68 (SD) + 83.18 (FD) = 140.86

11) Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)

 Music: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

• Great unison in twizzles, they could be faster though
• Wonderful glide and flow across the ice
• This elegant music suits them oh so well
• I love how seamless everything is, it doesn't look like they are doing elements, just a great flow across the ice
• They've maintained the same speed and tempo throughout the entire piece
• They lose a lot of speed coming out of the third position of their camel spin
• That was simply gorgeous, very European

 FD Score: 44.58 (TES) + 44.07 (PCS) - (DED) = 89.65

 Combined Total: 64.12 (SD) + 89.65 (FD) = 153.77

12) Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein (USA)

 Music: Cabaret

• Nobody pulls their faces like these two!
• This is my favorite free dance of the season, such theatrics
• Nice unison and speed in twizzles
• I love her upside down camel position in the dance spin on "The Money Song"
• They really start picking up speed during The Money Song
• Good soft knees
• Love the straight line lift
• The curve lift with Greg on one foot is very nice
• Loving the Liza moment!
• Great position and speed on rotational lift
• That's the best I've seen them do that program all year

 FD Score: 46.65 (TES) + 44.74 (PCS) - (DED) = 90.30

 Combined Total: 61.47 (SD) + 90.30 (FD) = 151.86

13) Vanessa Crone & Paul Poirier (CAN)

 Music: Eleanor Rigby

• I will never understand the appeal of this program
• He is a good strong partner but she does nothing for me and I don't find them well matched
• Unison issues on 2nd and 3rd twizzles
• Curve lift loses a lot of speed
• He has beautiful posture but her upper body is very stiff and she is wearing her shoulders as earrings
• She also needs to point her feet more
• I don't understand why the elaborate opening and closing pose is necessary

 FD Score: 45.69 (TES) + 44.43 (PCS) - (DED) = 90.12

 Combined Total: 61.01 (SD) + 90.12 (FD) = 151.13

14) Elena Ilinykh & Nikita Katsalapov (RUS)

 Music: Don Quixote

• She fully embodies this character
• I'm so happy she is wearing a real tutu
• Nice curve lift
• Nikita loses unison in the second set of twizzles, the distance between them increases
• He could have her higher off the ground in the one-arm rotational lift
• Was it really necessary for her to stop mid-program and do a heel stretch
• Awkward moment getting into the lift with her leg behind his head, awkward getting out as well
• She has gorgeous posture and upper body carriage, she mus have studied a lot of ballet
• The speed is not consistent in the dance spin
• The last lift is a very ugly position
• I've seen them do that program much better, this was not polished today

 FD Score: 42.47 (TES) + 46.52 (PCS) - (DED) = 88.99

 Combined Total: 65.51 (SD) + 88.99 (FD) = 154.50

15) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)

 Music: Moulin Rouge

• I'm praying to finally see a clean version of this free dance
• Good unison in the twizzles
• There are certain transitional moments still look sloppy to me
• This middle section fits them better because its more lyrical
• She caught her boot in the haircutter position of the rotational lift, but the exit was awkward
• Nice cartwheel entrance to the curve lift
• That horizontal lift must take amazing ab strength on Kaitlyns' part
• I don't know what it is, but this program still looks so choppy to me

 FD Score: 48.51 (TES) + 46.74 (PCS) - (DED) = 95.25

 Combined Total: 65.07 (SD) + 95.25 (FD) = 160.32

16) Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (FRA)

 Music: Charlie Chaplin Medley

• Just an exquisite free skate
• So true to character
• It is just perfection, and they don't seem to be working, its all so natural
• Every detail is just perfection
• They have an ease out there that the top american and Canadian teams don't have
• Wow they both took a fall out of nowhere
• That opened the door for the Shibutanis to come from behind in 4th
• I don't believe the fall was on an element so I doubt it will cost them much
• I just can't believe that, after such an amazing season
• I just feel terribly for them

 FD Score: 43.00 (TES) + 51.57 (PCS) - 2.00 (DED) = 92.57

 Combined Total: 70.97 (SD) + 92.57 (FD) = 163.54

17) Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)

 Music: Melody of the White Nights

• Slight unison issues, she does an extra rotation on the 3rd set
• Very awkward entrance to first lift
• I don't like this program at all
• The is very little drama and the costumes are very dull
• This is not a perfect skate, a few stumbles and bobbles here and there
• They did not capitalize on the mistake by the French team

 FD Score: 45.78 (TES) + 48.56 (PCS) - (DED) = 94.35

 Combined Total: 65.88 (SD) + 94.35 (FD) = 160.23

18) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)

 Music: Smile/Just Face The Music and Dance

• Such amazing speed and flow across the ice
• The lifts are looking very good today
• All I want is for them to go clean
• The quicker part is where they really shine
• Their twizzles are the best in the world
• Can't wait to see what the judges will do
• The two point deduction to the French for the fall takes away their lead from the short dance
• Shibutanis should get a higher technical score, but judges could hold the French up on PCS if they want

 FD Score: 48.14 (TES) + 48.77 (PCS) - (DED) = 96.91

 Combined Total: 66.88 (SD) + 96.91 (FD) = 163.79

19) Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir (CAN)

 Music: Temptation/Mujer Latina

• This fast footwork and th hip action at the top is phenomenal
• I can't wait until we get to see the who piece
• Wonderful twizzles
• I love that little moment when she pushes Scott
• That change of position lift was phenomenal
• The upside down straight line lift is equally great
• This dance was so worth waiting for 
• These two just look so great together, they were born to dance with each other
• The eye contact is amazing
• I saw no visible mistakes; they look as though they've been competing all season
• Wow, that was electrifying

 FD Score: 51.21 (TES) + 56.29 (PCS) - (DED) = 107.50

 Combined Total: 74.29 (SD) + 107.50 (FD) = 181.79

20) Meryl Davis & Charlie White (USA)

 Music: Il Postino/Payadora/Recuerdo

• They need absolute perfection, they can't withstand even a small mistake
• Amazing speed
• Incredible twizzles with phenomenal unison & speed
• I could see Igor in the background getting very excited after the twizzles
• They are attacking this every bit as hard as they possibly can
• Great dance spin with almost no speed lost in position changes
• I love the backward entrance rotational lift, slightly clunky exit
• I love how close and intricate the holds are
• Signature Tanith Belbin lift at the end
• They did that as well as they possibly could've
• If you are the judges, how do you make that decision

 FD Score: 53.78 (TES) + 57.73 (PCS) - (DED) = 111.51

 Combined Total: 73.76 (SD) + 111.51 (FD) = 185.27