MICHAEL RIEDEL
May 25, 2007 -- QUICK hits and gossip today:* Tony Talk (Scene 1):
For the second year in a row, it looks as if the Tony Awards telecast won't have a host. Broadway's go-to guy, Hugh Jackman, passed on the job. So did Broadway's other go-to guy, Rosie O'Donnell.
There was a rumor afoot last week that Jackman would make a surprise cameo. The cast of "A Chorus Line" was told that the actor, clad in gold lamé, would join them on the line performing "One."
"He was just going to be there with the kids," says an "A Chorus Line" source. "The place will go wild when they see him."
But Jackman's reps have put out the word that he'll be in Australia shooting a movie the week of the Tonys, which air June 10.
Perhaps.
But keep your eyes peeled for a very tall guy in a gold top hat. It could be Hugh.
Or Broadway's go-to gal, Tommy Tune.
* Tony Talk (Scene 2):
Jerry Mitchell, director of the snubbed "Legally Blonde," went from dressing room to dressing room after Wednesday's matinee telling his cast "not to believe what you read in Michael Riedel's column."
Mitchell, sources say, insisted that "Legally Blonde" may yet get to perform on the Tonys.
"He was adamant about it," says a source. "He kept saying the fight isn't over yet."
As I reported - correctly, Jerry - "Legally Blonde" was first invited and then disinvited to be on the telecast.
Yesterday, a Tony source said CBS was still pushing for more musical numbers, and that, if "Legally Blonde" does get on, it will be as part of a montage of all the shows from the season - Laura Bell Bundy in pink, Stephanie J. Block in a pirate hat, Twyla Tharp with her closing notice, Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy doing their Boris-and-Natasha routine from "LoveMusik."
"Legally Blonde" will not get its own segment.
"The Tony management committee made that crystal clear this week," my source says.
* Tony Talk (Scene 3):
Last month, Elizabeth I. McCann, executive producer of the Tony Awards, brought all the members of the Tony management committee together and made them watch - and criticize - last year's telecast.
Her goal was to get them thinking about how to improve the show, a perennial ratings loser.
What became clear to everyone was that the telecast must open with a Broadway song that viewers will recognize.
(What insight!)
So don't expect this year's Tonys to kick off with "The Word of Your Body" from "Spring Awakening," or "The Revolutionary Costume for Today" from "Grey Gardens."
"One," from "A Chorus Line," is an obvious choice - and would certainly be a boon to that revival's box office, since the first show featured on the telecast usually generates the most ticket sales.
But I hear Disney may push to open the awards show with "Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious" from "Mary Poppins."
Meanwhile, the producers of "Curtains" are making the case that their song "Show People" sounds like a classic John Kander-Fred Ebb showbiz anthem and, since the song's theme is theater people, it should be the opening number.
Listen, the only way to save this year's show from being a total ratings bust is to open with Tony Soprano singing a medley from "Guys and Dolls."
* Frankly speaking:
The producers of "Young Frankenstein" hosted a lunch at Café Gray Wednesday for a select group of ticket brokers and group sales agents.
Neither Mel Brooks nor director Susan Stroman showed up.
Stroman appeared on video, blah-blah-blahing about how much fun the musical's going to be.
Mel sent autographed DVD sets of all his movies.
The afternoon was saved by costume designer William Ivey Long, a funny and clever fellow.
He showed off the designs for his extravagant costumes.
"I can't tell you what ticket prices are going to be, but they should be $250 apiece because of the cost of all my costumes," Ivey Long said.
He also said he couldn't reveal the theater that will house "Young Frankenstein," but he added: "They told us we could make the castle much bigger."
Translation: the Hilton.
(Source: New York Post | Theater | Michael Riedel On Broadway | The Host Is Unclear)
Want to watch "A Chorus Line"? CHECK WHERE IT IS ON!!!
Or, BUY A CD OF THIS SHOW
.Want to watch "Curtains"? CHECK WHERE IT IS ON!!!
Or, BUY A CD OF THIS SHOW
.Want to watch "Grey Gardens"? CHECK WHERE IT IS ON!!!
Or, BUY A CD OF THIS SHOW
.Want to watch "Legally Blonde"? CHECK WHERE IT IS ON!!!
Or, BUY A CD OF THIS SHOW
.Want to watch "Mary Poppins"? CHECK WHERE IT IS ON!!!
Or, BUY A CD OF THIS SHOW
.Want to watch "Spring Awakening"? CHECK WHERE IT IS ON!!!
Or, BUY A CD OF THIS SHOW
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