TONY Awards, 2004

At least New York City dancers are far better than those from the State of California.

Stage dancers of course gravitate towards the New York Stage as the Hollywood film musical went by the wayside. It used to be that Broadway would borrow a lot of dancers from the MGM lot, for instance. NYC is where musical theater was born (at least, the musical comedy) as an established art (Gilbert and Sullivan, Offenbach and other light opera perveyors are the European roots). There are still some fine stage dancers residing in the LA area -- there are regional shows that do not borrow from the NY stock. AIDS created a crisis in dancing talent in the 90's but it's rebounding.

I notice the difference in technique primarily in Jazz dance. The California dancers, look to me, like they're practicing what they learn in dance class.

The New York dancers, always looked more fluid and professional to me,when they're performing Jazz .

I'm not sure how one can tell California dancers from New York City dancers. Are they wearing badges or can you tell from the tans?

Here's the New York Times's take on how "Avenue Q" pulled it off:

"Avenue Q" Tony Coup Is Buzz of Broadway

If you've studied Jazz dance, it should be easy to differentiate between NYCity and California dancers. NY dancers' bodies flow with the music as their souls mesh with the musical beat. California dancers all look like they just made it through Jazz Dance 101 and are now on their way to level 102. Their bodies look "jerky", while in motion. Not a professional appearance fo sure.

Basically, I've noticed that the California dancers put most of their Jazz warmup routines into their dances. This makes them look, to me, less professional than the dancers from NY.

The California dancers I've known for the past fifty years all went to NYC schools.

Do you ever wonder about actors like this one, who work all the time and are well-respected amongst their peers, is that enough of a career or do they feel as if fame has eluded them and their career is lacking because of it?

Interesting question, eoe. There's a great movie documentary called In the Shadow of the Stars, which came out in 1991, that explores similar issues. The movie consists of interviews with several members of the chorus of the San Francisco Opera, in which these singers -- many of whom started out thinking they were going to be famous opera singers themselves -- discuss how feel about ending up "in the shadow of the stars." For many of them, just being able to make a living by singing is enough; others always think about "what if." There's probably pretty much the same range of responses among theater actors who never achieve fame.

I actually worked with Veanne Cox about 10 years ago in summer stock. She had a great attitude then, as I'm sure she still does, about loving what she does and not being all about the $$.

The best actors I've known are people you've never heard of. I'm sure there are hundreds of amazing performers who will never be famous or rich, but who have a career in regional theatre or off-B'way or wherever they can find work.

Talk about bridging the gap? Miss Carol Channing and LL Cool J having a ball!

hope the image shows up. It's great!!

I loved "Boy from OZ" - but then, I saw it in Sydney, with Todd McKenney, and I'm from here - so appreciated it more. And I hate musicals!

But Hugh Jackman is cute!

LL Cool J and Carol -- highlight of the show.

Wanted VHS tape of 2004 Tony Awards.
I am looking for a copy of this year's Tony Awards. I mail a copy to my brother in Scotland every year, this year it went missing in the mail. I would really appreciate any info that could help me obtain this. Thanks!!!

Welcome to A2K, pumpkin. Sorry, but I've taped over my copy. Have you tried ebay, etc.?

Thanks for the welcome mac 11. I have tried looking on ebay with no luck, just saw some tapes of previous years.

I thought this story, which appears today on the website of New York 1 (a local cable news station), would be of interest to people who have been following this thread:

Almost anyone who works or lives in Midtown Manhattan will be affected by the Republican National Convention later this month, and that includes Broadway shows.

The struggling shows "Frozen," "Caroline, or Change" and "Little Shop of Horrors" plan to cut their losses and close before the convention begins at Madison Square Garden.

"Frozen" will close permanently on August 22nd after a four-month run.

"Caroline, or Change" will end its four-month run the following weekend.

"Little Shop of Horrors" will also end its run, wrapping things up at the Virginia Theater also on the 22nd.

Labor Day weekend is traditionally slow for Broadway and the convention is expected to make things worse.

Many streets in the theatre district will be closed and traffic will be congested, and producers say they are worried performers and audiences won't be able to get to the theater on time.

A really nice interview of Hugh Jackman in the New York Times.

Exhausted but Proud, Hugh Jackman Retires His Sequins
(free registration required)

Why didn't Wicked get best musical?