Why The Tonys Matter

In an effort to rally theatre fans for this year's Tony Awards, actor/writer Hunter Bell (nominated for Title of Show), in conjunction with the Tony Awards, sent out this very amusing yet heartfelt email. I pretty much share his sentiment so we at Stagenotes, post it here in full:

Dear Tony Awards® Fan,

My name is Hunter Bell and like you, I am a Tony junkie.

A few days ago the Tony Awards team asked me to reach out to you to talk about why the Tony Awards matter. Now, some of you may be asking, “Hunter, what makes you such a Tony authority? Couldn’t they get Julie Harris?” Well consider this: I am a Broadway writer and performer, I am a former Tony nominee for Best Book of a Musical (for [title of show]...hold for applause), and I have a collection of VCR tapes entitled “Tony Award Highlights 1, 2, and 3” which contains every musical number (and a few scenes from plays) from the Tonys starting with The Act up through the late nineties! Pre-YouTube, people. And yes, I know. That is awesome.

Also, Julie Harris was not available.

Why do the Tony Awards matter?

A few answers popped into my head immediately. They matter because the awards acknowledge talent. That's good, especially if you're the one being acknowledged. They also bring the national spotlight to Broadway and theatre, which in turn sells a lot of tickets. That's good too, for everybody...but those reasons are sort of "business-y" things.

Why do the Tony Awards matter? A few other thoughts popped into my head.

I grew up in the South, in North Carolina and Georgia. I was a creative, awesome little weirdo who loved the theatre. It became my home. It is where I felt safe to be myself, to express myself, and where I found my true friends and my chosen family. I did not live near New York, but I knew about Broadway. How did I know about Broadway? Well, I had my original cast recordings (OCRs for you junkies) and one night a year...I had the Tony Awards. It was my Super Bowl. My Olympics. My night to plop in front of our TV and lose myself in a world of marquees and songs and dances and Bernadette Peters and Gregory Hines and all my favs and watch and dream. I wanted to crawl inside my television box. I remember so vividly being so excited.

The Tonys are more than just Broadway, or even New York. For millions of Americans—especially those that can’t afford to travel to New York and see a show—The Tony Awards are one of the few glimpses to see Broadway come to life. They were for me. The Tony Awards matter because they are the only national telecast that celebrates the theatre community. Think about that. It’s the one night that celebrates our art--our passion--on a national stage. And even more than recognition and celebration, The Tonys are an inspiration to the next generation of theatre fans and performers. I am living proof of that. When I sat watching the awards as a creative, awesome little weirdo in the South, I started dreaming. I discovered my world.

The Tonys matter because theatre matters. Because art matters. As I type this, arts advocates are fighting to keep arts education alive in schools. Celebrating theatre and the arts always matters. Out there on June 13th in every city will be you guys, because you think it matters too.

Of course, as one of our biggest supporters, you already know all this. I’m preaching to the choir, as they say. But because it matters so much, and because the Tonys are so close, I’m writing to you to ask you to help.

"But how can I help, Hunter?" Well, today, and over the next week, take a minute to think about what the Tony Awards mean for you personally, and what they mean for our art, and for culture in general. Think about why they matter. And if you decide that they matter enough to you, think about how you can share that passion and inspiration with your friends and family.

"But then what, Hunter?" Well, more on that in upcoming e-mails! "Upcoming e-mails? Are you gonna be blasting me with more awesome pre-Tony e-mails Hunter?" Well, maybe I am and maybe I am. This first e-mail is to just get your Tony juices flowing. Next week I will be hollering at you with another pre-Tony love e-mail, and then a final one right before the show, with some tips and ideas on how to help connect with your friends and family, and rock an awesome Tony night. I'll also be revealing how I'll be spending my Tony night. I think you'll be interested in that too. Hint: It might involve technology and you. Yes, I know. That does sound awesome.

So the countdown is on people and as the ole cheer goes, "We got spirit yes we do, we got spirit how 'bout you?" I think I'll go pop in my "Tony Award Highlights 1 tape." I need to see Liza sing "City Lights."

Until next time, fellow Tony junkies,

Hunter Bell

For part 2 of Hunter's email blast, click here.

So don't forget, the Tony Awards hosted by Sean Hayes will be broadcasted on CBS this Sunday, June 13 at 8 pm ET/7pm CT. And for a listing of the International broadcast, please click here.

Macy's Tickets For The Tonys

Macy's together with CBS and The Tony Awards is inviting theatre fans to send a video of them singing show tunes and the winner will get to attend the Tonys this year! Deadline for entries is on May 27 3pm. For more info please click here.

The Tony Awards site is posting videos of Broadway actors auditioning with Seth Rudetsky to get free tickets. Below is Hunter Bell's audition (one of the funniest so far). But check out the other auditioners too: Pricilla Lopez, Andrea McArdle, Andrea Burns (hers is quite funny too!)

(top photo from MTIblog)

Holy White Christmas Batman!

Every year, Jeffry Denman raps about his show, White Christmas and he does it as his show's character Phil Davis. Each year's theme is different but they're always hilarious. I've been following the installment for 3 years now and so far this is the best! Lani, you'll love this one.

So now, Phil Davis is back rapping but this time on Broadway. Watch out for the cast of White Christmas plus Broadway cameos of Mr. Denman's friends: Laura Benanti, Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen of [TOS], Marc Kudisch, Carolee Carmelo, Jeff Blumenkrantz, Julia Murney, Brian D' Arcy James and Patti Lupone.

If you're interested here are the other Phil Davis raps:

The Real Phil Davis

Lazy Tuesday

I hope you enjoy the videos and in the spirit of the season, Happy Christmas to everyone!

Back In The Backyard Dancing

It is a sad day for a theatre geek to find out that a show that spoke to you personally is closing. The producers of [Title of Show] have just announced that the show will soon close on Oct. 12. A few days before, Xanadu, another show that I thoroughly enjoyed also announced it's closing on the same day. What can you say about the state of theatre when two inventive shows that have critical acclaim and have a following among those who love the theatre are closing while mediocre shows (Grease!) are still running?

I first heard about the show when it was Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre and bought the CD when it came out. I've followed their online episodes on youtube - THE [Title of Show] SHOW - but didn't get to see it until this past Sunday (9/14). As I said earlier in this post, the theatre gods blessed me that day.

As Lani posted in her earlier [review of show], it is an irreverent inside look into the making of a musical. It's clever and funny and self-referential but amidst all of these, the show is about having a dream and making it come true. Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell, as they say in their own words......two nobodies in NY.......started writing the show 4 years ago and who knew it would someday be on Broadway. Their story unfolds right before your eyes culminating to their opening night on Broadway. The song above, A Way Back To Then sung by Heidi Blickenstaff (what a voice!) has always been my favorite and has always spoken to me personally. It talks about finding what's important and reconnecting to what you love and finding yourself. What an inspiring piece of writing! So make sure you catch it before it closes. Maybe it will inspire you......however big or small it may be..........to be creative.....go climb a mountain.....run a 5k..... pursue singing or what not........I know for me, it's about taking up dance again. And since then I've found the 5 year old girl that was somehow lost before.

So here are some photos I took of the theatre and at the stagedoor........

the marquee:

the poster outside the theatre:

Hunter Bell (book writer and lead actor):

here he is again:

Larry!!!! The music director:

Heidi Blickenstaff coming out of the stagedoor:

Susan Blackwell signing autographs:

Susan Blackwell:


Heidi Blickenstaff and Jeff Bowen:

Jeff Bowen (Composer and Lyricist and Lead Actor):

Heidi Blickenstaff taking to TOSSERS (fans of Title of Show):

Heidi Blickenstaff:

and last but not the least my signed playbill: