Award show praise: The 2011 Tonys

All other award shows of this season and next take note; The Tony Awards knows how it’s done! You’d be remiss to not look to them for inspiration and motivation when planning your own production. Here are just a few reasons The 2011 Tony Awards deserves praise:

• NEIL PATRICK HARRIS: A host who’s funny, smart, respectful and multi-talented. He’s a perfect fit for the theatre industry because of his wide range of talent. Not only can he pull off one-liner zingers but he can sing and dance. But most importantly, he supports the industry. He’s a fan of the Broadway community and that affection shows in his hosting duties.


• SHOWCASE OF NOMINATED WORK: The Tony Awards are known primarily for the musical numbers performed each year. And understandably, you’re not likely to find a Best Picture nominated scene to be re-enacted at The Oscars but the Broadway community understands not only their audience but their industry as well. They have a respect for the work created and don’t hesitate in showing it off.


• DIVERSITY: Not only does The Tony Awards include many age, ethnic, sexual orientation and religious groups but the work represented are just as diverse. From the classic Broadway style musicals, like “Anything Goes” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” to the edgy, contemporary musical “The Book of Mormon” Broadway’s range of topics, style and genre makes it appealing to a wide array of potential theatre goers.


• SUBDUED CELEBRATION: Ok, so perhaps you wouldn’t necessarily think of a Broadway community as being subdued but let me explain. The show isn’t about flashy stars, who’s wearing what or blatant marketing tactics. Instead, The Tony Awards celebrate the work of their community in a way that showcases their strengths. The show, in and of itself, is the best marketing tool the community has available. If a viewer doesn't have a desire to come see a Broadway show after watching the awards then the broadcast has done a disservice to not only the industry but to their audience as well.


• STAR POWER: Most viewers wouldn’t be able to recognize a great many of the nominees if they passed them on the street but you still get a feel for their work by the recognition of their peers. Sure there are stars in the Broadway community but I don’t mean TV/Film personalities who get top billing. I’m thinking of professionals like Sutton Foster, Patti Lupone, Matthew Broderick, Kathleen Marshall, Patrick Wilson, Rob Ashford and more; Individuals who are well respected within the community and whose longevity in the medium earns them the respect of their peers and theatre aficionados.
  
  So, if you’re getting ready to plan out your award show production style I invite you to look to the 2011 Tony Awards as a model of inspiration.
  
  All the best,
  Kelly