THE NYC TONY AWARDS IS BEST IN IT'S 68 YEARS
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. Harding
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| Hugh Jackman |
HUGH & I --- Deadline Hollywood may have said it best: Hugh Jackman Breezes Through CBS’s Ruthlessly Upbeat All-Star Tony Show. He certainly was dazzling; from his bunny-hopping opening to the strong performances in the show from Alan Cumming in Cabaret, to Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig … it was a pretty strong show, perhaps one of the best in its 68th years.
With winners from Bryan Cranston; Lena Hall; and, Harris, there was something there for almost everyone. Even Clint Eastwood was there; with his Jersey Boys opening in a week.
No one worked harder, for example, than Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart, who plays the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, as he seamlessly segued from “You’ve Got a Friend In Me,” from Aladdin, to several Disney-chestnuts; songs from Beauty & The Beast and The Little Mermaid; he was very strong.
About midway through the CBS’s live telecast last night, host Jackman told the audience at Radio City Music Hall that the first show he'd ever been cast in was Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. To prepare, in fact, he'd learned all eight parts to "Rock Island," the opening number of that signature piece of syncopated Americana, and to prove it, he performed a minute or so, singing all eight parts. Now, that’s preparation.
The big winners: A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder, which won four awards, including the all-important Best Musical. All The Way, Robert Schenkkan’s forgiving portrait of LBJ, won two, including Best Play (including Cranston for his leading performance). Raisin In The Sun won three including best play revival against very stiff competition. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical did very well, with Jessie Mueller winning as King and the show getting not only a great plug from the songstress herself, but with the Will You Love Me Tomorrow number from the show selling it, well, beautifully.
Also, Sting debuted a song from his forthcoming Broadway project, The Last Ship. Typically Sting; good and dramatic ... with an almost Le Miz salute at the end. Also, the current cast of Le Miz performed ... boy, what great music as always.
The losers include Bullets Over Broadway, which went home empty-handed, as did the very fine revival of The Cripple of Inishmaan, with Daniel Radcliffe; If/Then; Violet and Cabaret.
A superior show for sure!
THE BABYS --- With a string of 70’s classic rock radio hits like “Isn’t It Time,” “Every Time I Think of You,” “Head First,” “Back on My Feet Again,” “Midnight Rendezvous” and “Turn and Walk Away,” The Babys created some of the most memorable arena anthems of the era. Now, after a three-decade absence, The Babys have reformed with original lead guitarist Wally Stocker and drummer Tony Brock to release a new album, I’ll Have Some of That, on June 24, and a brand-new single, “I See You There,” which is available now on iTunes. The new album will be released on Skyrocket Ent./All In Time Records.
“The whole premise is to keep The Babys alive and have a good time doing it," said Stocker about the reformed group, which also includes new recruits, lead vocalist/ bassist John Bisaha and veteran rhythm guitarist Joey Sykes. The band is joined in concert by keyboardist Francesco Saglietti and the Babettes.
Brock raves about the new members of the group: "John Bisaha is an incredible singer. When we held auditions, we had singers lined up around the block to join the band and John was head and shoulders above the rest." Stocker is equally enthused about his new axe mate: "Joey Sykes adds a whole new dimension to the band and has a style that works well in tandem with me."
Formed in London in 1974, The Babys were signed to Chrysalis Records on the basis of a four-song video, which predated the MTV era by seven years. Combining the muscular rock ‘n roll grit of Free and Humble Pie with a winning commercial accessibility, they released five albums between 1977-1980. During that time, the group toured with the likes of Journey, Alice Cooper and Cheap Trick and built a loyal following based on their spectacular songs and explosive live performances right up until officially disbanding in December of 1980.
Former members John Waite, Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips have all given their blessings to the newest incarnation of the band. Waite continues on as a solo act, while Cain is now a member of Journey, having penned a string of hit singles including “Don’t Stop Believing,” the most downloaded song in history. Phillips is a longtime bass player for Styx.
The first single from the album, the aptly titled "Not Ready to Say Goodbye,” was made available on iTunes last November.
“In recording this new album, we discussed the fact that the songs had to have the flavor of what we were known for,” says Stocker. “It was just a magical process,” adds Brock. “By the time we finished, I knew we had the goods.”
COMCAST FU --- Philly-based mega-corporation Comcast bought Time Warner Cable several months back and last week, without much warning, changed their channel lineup. To me, a subscriber for years, I was caught totally off-guard. When I turned on my TV in the AM, pre-set to what I thought was WNBC, I looked at my screen to see Major League Baseball.
I know Comcast’s Brian Roberts and he’s a standup guy, and I'm quite sure this switch is to start the re-branding process …. But, WTF? It took me a good 45-minutes to find the new listings and figure them all out. Sorry Brian … not a good move.
CLOSING NOTES --- The Monkees 14-date summer tour ended Saturday night. From what we hear … a major success. Congrats guys. Micky Dolenz is already back in L. A. prepping for his starring role in Comedy is Hard - to be presented at The Ivoryton Theatre this summer. Stay tuned …
While England’s Telegraph reports The Kinks Set To Reunite For New Album And Tour founding member Dave Davies has put the brakes on the story.
The Telegraph reports, “The Kinks could reform to release a new album and tour, it has been claimed, as Ray Davies says members have resolved their differences.”
The band, which broke up in the 1990's, hope to release new material after a musical about their career helped lead them to reconcile.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Ray Davies, the group’s lead singer and songwriter, said he had been meeting his brother Dave with a view to writing together again.
Dave hasn't completely ruled out a reunion. “I met and talked with Ray but nothing has been agreed on yet,” he told fans on Facebook.
Dave’s brother Ray told the Sunday Times, “I met Dave only last week to talk about getting back together again,” he said. “We've also spoken a few times on the phone and emailed.”
“He’s been composing his own songs, but I'd really like to write with him again.
“We both agree we don't want to do old stuff or tour with past hits. It’s got to be something new.”
The Kinks last studio album was Phobia in 1993 ...
Martial-arts master Paul Mormando wrapping his forthcoming Double Fist movie. Details to follow ...
Writer Ed Wrobleski is prepping a book a bio on Jimi Hendrix. Can’t wait for this one…
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