B'way turns up Tony drama
This season's tuner category could turn into the kudos' 'Ben-Hur'
The media like nothing better than a "Titanic"-sized hit, to borrow from another medium. But a good horse race is unbeatable, and this season's tuner category could turn into the Tonys' "Ben-Hur."
As Alan Wasser, general manager of the Cameron Mackintosh shows, points out, "There were many years that only four musicals opened and two had closed by Tony time."
In addition to "Spamalot," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "All Shook Up" await the crix.
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" received what one producer calls "Wicked"-like reviews. "They weren't mixed, they were deeply divided, with critics either loving or hating it," says the producer.
Also much anticipated is Adam Guettel's "The Light in the Piazza," the first Broadway production from Richard Rodgers' grandson, which the Chi crix have already blessed.
And in Gotham, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" has been the best received of all new musicals in its Off Broadway incarnation.
Producers, start your horses!
