Patty & Emily at Here Lies Love

Audience participation. Standing for 90 minutes. Historical subject matter. Even the most seasoned theatregoer might give pause at seeing this show. But when you add innovative direction, amazing disco music, and a super talented cast, suddenly everyone is talking about Here Lies Love. In fact, the show was so talked about after its successful run last summer, it has returned to The Public Theater. No one is happier than Patty, since Emily saw the show during its last run. And even now, we would both see it again.

Here Lies Love tells the story of how Imelda Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines, became an infamous world figure. But, it’s how this story is told that makes the show special. Everyone is ushered into an open space with platforms and stages all around. Some people are up in the balconies, but those on the floor are really part of the show. We’re all at a disco, and the DJ tells you at the beginning Filipinos invented karaoke, so we’re all expected to participate and have fun. Alex Timbers’ direction has us all moving around and looking everywhere, while Fatboy Slim and David Byrne’s music has us dancing and sometimes crying. Everything helping to create the atmosphere of the performance.

The cast really helps pull this off. They make the audience feel comfortable and also excited about their involvement. The ensemble is full of amazing performers, giving their all, especially Sara Ramirez look-alike Maria-Christina Oliveras. At the performance we saw, an understudy, Jaygee Macapugay, was on as Imelda. She was great, and Emily said some of her choices really made her performance stand on its own. And Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora played off each other and Jaygee so well, it was fun to see their relationships change. Here Lies Love ends with the cast, fittingly, leading the audience in a sing-along, everyone participating in the show we created together (though we guess most of the work was done by the cast and creative team).

Get tickets to Here Lies Love here.

Patty & Emily at The Anthem

Have you ever heard about a show, and thought to yourself, “How did a show like that even get made, and how I wish I could have seen it!”? Then do yourself a favor and go see The Anthem. Based on an Ayn Rand novella about a dystopian society, it’s hard to tell which parts are scripted to be funny and which parts ended up being funny unintentionally. As a dystopian musical, you already have to work extra hard because you’re not Urinetown, not to mention when there’s a giant disco ball hanging from your ’80s-inspired set. Of course, we’re not complaining. We enjoyed (mostly) every confusing, crazy, exhilarating moment.

The main reason we enjoyed anything? The cast. They were working to sell every overblown emotion and unnecessary special skill they were asked to showcase. Like one of Stefan’s nightclubs, this show had EVERYTHING. Rollerskating, ice skating jumps on rollerblades, silks and rope work, a pansexual orgy, a lot of ’80s synthesizer…we could go on. And the ensemble performed everything with a wink. Whether intentional or not, we got it and were winking back at them. One of the big standouts (and our personal choice for Peter in NBC’s Peter Pan Live!) for us was Em Grosland. Em effortlessly switched between playing a hyper, robotic drone of The State and an animalistic, sadistic warrior of The Resistance.

One thing this show didn’t have enough of was Jenna Leigh Green. She had two songs, neither of which were worthy of her, but god knows she sang the shit out of them. And every scene she was in, she commanded the stage in her killer silver boots. The fact that her character is old enough to be the mother of another character seems to be another ridiculous plot point, but it turns out Jenna Leigh Green has a touch of KerryButlerAgelessBeauty. And when you have all that to work with, you use it. But every time she exited the scene, it just felt like we needed more of her.

Yet after the curtain call, we were left smiling, laughing, and shaking our heads. And we looked at each other and said, “We just saw that.” And when we tell generations of musical theatre lovers about it years from now, they’ll wish they could have been there. So don’t miss out! Go see The Anthem, and be a part of something weird and special.

The cast of The Anthem is Ashley Kate Adams, Patch David, Jamyl Dobson, Brian Ferree, Shiloh Goodin, Jason Gotay, Jenna Leigh Green, Emily S. Grosland, Katie Lee Hill, Crista Marie Jackson, Randy Jones, Damian Thompson, and Remy Zaken. You can get tickets here.

Patty & Emily Review Heathers

Laurence O’Keefe is at it again with Heathers the Musical, which he wrote with Kevin Murphy. Heathers stars Barrett Wilbert Weed, Ryan McCartan, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Elle McLemore, and Alice Lee, with Katie Ladner, Jon Eidson, Evan Todd, Anthony Crivello, Dan Cooney, and Michelle Duffy. The ensemble includes Dan Domenech, Cait Fairbanks, Rachel Flynn, Molly Hager, Charissa Hogeland, AJ Meijer, Matthew Schatz and Dustin Sullivan.

Jeremy Kushnier in Atomic, A New Musical!

In the 1940s, when the world was fighting a war, a global group of scientists came together to build the atomic bomb in a government project that used the code name “Manhattan.” In 2014, a global group of artists came together to tell the story of that project and a scientist history forgot in the musical Atomic. Jeremy Kushnier, who plays that scientist Leo Szilard, talked to us about this new show and what we can expect from a show that deals with “a very sensitive subject — and then we put music to it!”

Like us (and we’re assuming most of you), Jeremy didn’t know anything about Leo Szilard until he came into this project. Leo’s patents and ideas were what made the bomb possible, but when he realized how this bomb was going to be used, his conscious wouldn’t allow him to be a part of it anymore. He started a petition, and got the signatures of many of the scientists who worked on the bomb, asking the bomb not be dropped on Japan, as they had not built it for that purpose. Because of this, he was effectively erased from history. One of Jeremy’s favorite lines in the show (he thinks it’s still in the show — we talked to him during rehearsals when things were still being added and moved around) is said by Dr. Oppenheimer: “It was Leo’s science that made the bomb possible, but his conscious that made it impossible.”
Aside from the natural drama of war, Leo’s life seemed ripe for a musical telling. There is a great love story in Atomicbetween Leo and his partner and eventual wife, Trude Weiss played by Sara Gettlefinger. They’re living through this tough time together and as Jeremy puts it, “their relationship ends up getting them through it.” (Fun fact: Trude became a surgeon in the 1930s and when Leo was diagnosed with cancer in the 1960s, it was with Trude’s help that he was the first person to successfully use radiation.) And so there is a hopeful dimension to this difficult story of war and politics and science. Atomic is a piece of theatre where you will leave knowing more than you did when you came in, but you’ll also have more questions. As Jeremy puts it, “You walk away going, ‘I wonder what I would have done?'” And isn’t that part of a great experience at the theatre? Of course, it’s also a musical, so expect spectacle. After all, Jeremy promises, “You can’t come and see a show about the atomic bomb, and not blow the motherfucker up.”
We couldn’t let Jeremy get off easy and not answer our questionnaire, so here’s what he said!

Patty & Emily:
 Do you know Beth Leavel?

Jeremy Kusnier: Yes!

P&E: Which show do you most want revived?

JK: Oh, unfortunately it’s already being revived and Neil Patrick Harris stole my part.

P&E: Have you ever fallen asleep on stage while pretending to sleep or be dead on stage?

JK: I feel like I must have at some point? I’m sure that I have. I know that I have in rehearsals.

P&E: What’s your favorite Broadway house?

JK: Oh, that’s a tough one. I love the Richard Rodgers because it was the first theatre that I worked in. I love it too because it’s got a really steep rake.

P&E: Do you have a monologue prepared?

JK: Never. Even when I’m asked for it.

P&E: What is the show you’ve seen the most times?

JK: Oh, that’s a good one. I think it probably would have to be Hedwig. I was a real Hed-head back in the day. I saw, like, five different people do it. I just really love the show. I’ve been petitioning these guys for years to do it anywhere. I’d do it in somebody’s garage! I can’t count how many times I went to the Jane Street and saw it.

P&E: Who would you fanboy over?

JK: Now that I’ve met and worked with her, it’s Ms. Sara Gettlefinger. She’s a tremendous talent, she’s absolutely gorgeous, and she’s amazing to work with. I love her.

P&E: On a scale of 1-10, how awful is the Broadway World message board?

JK: On a scale of 1-10? 4,000. I can’t even. I don’t even go; I don’t even dare.

P&E: If you had comps and a time machine, what would you go see?

JK: I would go and see City of Angels. I love that score so much, and that’s another show that I’ve always wanted to do.

Atomic starts performances at The Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row on June 26th and is scheduled to run until August 16th. Don’t miss this amazing cast, led by Jeremy Kushnier. For more information, visit their website. For tickets, click here!

Patty & Emily at The Phantom of the Opera

Two days before the 2014 Tony Awards, we sat down in the theatre ready to see a show we had been anticipating ever since casting was announced. Of course in this season of must-see performances, we were ready to see Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess in The Phantom of the Opera!
It was Emily’s first time seeing the show, Patty’s second, and we weren’t disappointed. First, we have to say we do not understand how anyone takes this show seriously. It is not romantic; The Phantom is a murderer! And Christine just seems confused. At one point, she throws a fit, insisting she will not participate in The Phantom’s opera, but in the next scene, she shows up to rehearsal with no explanation. It’s also hard to tell whether we’re to believe The Phantom can do magic or is just a very talented “inventor.” The main characters aren’t the show’s only distraction. When the set changes aren’t ridiculously long, they are basically just curtains opening and closing. And oftentimes, there are actors waiting behind those curtains or set pieces for huge stretches of time. Norm Lewis was hanging above the audience for the entirety of “All I Ask of You.”
It’s hard to say how casts have played the drama in Phantom over its thousand year reign (really 26 years), but this superb cast really seems to understand the gothic melodrama of it all. Let’s talk about Ellen Harvey’s fantastic Madame Giry. Her deliberate and dramatic line readings really set an ominous tone. And Michelle McConnell and Christian Sebek delightfully played Carlotta and Piangi, the diva and divo of the opera, with great flair. The ensemble did a great job whipping back and forth between the show’s almost farcical comedy to its intense drama. One minute they are dancing at a masquerade, and the next recoiling in horror as The Phantom stands inches away (yet no one bothers to try and grab him).
And leading this ensemble were Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess as The Phantom and Christine Daae. As usual, the title number seemed to be tracked, which was disappointing. But throughout the rest of the show, Norm and Sierra did not disappoint. Sierra effortlessly sang Christine’s many songs, ringing with a clear soprano. Not to mention keeping up the hood to her cape. And Norm really got the over-the-top desperation of The Phantom, sometimes even playing him like a whiny child. These two phenomenal actors kept us interested, even as the story lead to some pretty crazy places. Just don’t think too hard about the fact that they once played father and daughter.
In the end, as the curtain came down, the crowd in the Majestic Theatre rose to their feet, having loved every minute of it. And while it might not be one of our favorite shows, to be able to have seen these two performers and the cast around them was truly an experience.
Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess currently appear in The Phantom of the Opera. You can get tickets here.

3rd Annual Shmazie Award Recipients!

When we sent out the Shmazies, we asked that the recipients send us a photo of their certificate! We’ll be updating this as (hopefully) more arrive!

“Thanks Patty and Emily!” – Bobby Steggert, Exceptional Supporting Actor in an Original Musical

Bobby Steggert Shmazie

First, thank you so much. It’s an honor. I love the certificate. Second, Danny Burstein is quite jealous. I plan to taunt him for weeks.” – Aaron Krohn, Exceptional Featured Actor in a Revival of a Musical

Aaron Krohn Shmazie

“Thank you, Patty and Emily! xoxoxo, Gaten” – Gaten Matarazzo, Exceptional Child Actor in a Revival of a Musical

Gaten Shamzie

“Thank you so much…so honored!” Vasthy Mompoint, Special Shmazie for Adding Lustre to the Broadway Season

Vasthy Mompoint Shmazie

THANK YOU!!! I am so honored!! (Headshot by the divine Zoe Buckman.)” – Jennifer Mudge, Exceptional Headshot – Female

Jennifer Mudge Shmazie

“Me with my Shmazie award for exceptional featured actress in an original musical! Thanks Patty and Emily!” – Joanna Glushak, Exceptional Featured Actress in an Original Musical

Joanna Glushak Shmazie

“Thanks Patty and Emily” – Sutton Foster, Exceptional Leading Actress in a Revival of a Musical

Sutton Foster Shmazie

“Opening our mail today and got this! So nice!” – The Public Theatre, Exceptional Cast Recording

Fun Home Shmazie

Thanks for the Shmazie awards!” – Joshua Henry, Exceptional Supporting Actor in a Revival of a Musical

Joshua  Henry Shamzie

THANK YOU Patty & Emily !!! So honored.” – Emerson Steele, Exceptional Child Actress in a Revival of a Musical

Emerson Steele Shmazie

We were able to give Kate Baldwin’s Shmazie to her in person!

 

 

 

 

The 3rd Annual Patty & Emily Shmazie Awards!

Who will win for Exceptional Quick Change?! And who will win the Exceptional Asses awards, after a long absence? Find out now!

And here’s a complete list of the awards!

The Beth Leavel Shmazie Award
Winner: Beth Leavel

Exceptional Headshot, Female
Winner: Jennifer Mudge – Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Fantasia Barrino – After Midnight
Haven Burton – Violet
Catherine Walker – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Headshot, Male
Winner: Eric Anderson – Soul Doctor
Honorable Mention:
Virgil “Lil ‘O’ Gadson – After Midnight
Desmond Richardson – After Midnight
Don Darryl Rivera – Aladdin

The “Nine People’s Favorite Thing” Shmazie Award
Winner: Big Fish
Honorable Mention:
Soul Doctor
The Bridges of Madison County

The Honey Badger Shmazie Award
Winner: Jason Robert Brown
Honorable Mention:
Les Miserables

Special Shmazie Award for Adding Lustre to the Broadway Season
Winner: Vasthy Mompoint – Rocky – Stomping
Honorable Mention:
Big Fish, The USO Number
Hedwig And The Angry Inch
Laura Benanti’s Twitter
Aladdin – Genie’s Body Glitter
Cabaret – The Giant Disco Ball

The ChristianeNollRagtime Shmazie Award for Reinterpretive Acting
Winner: James Monroe Iglehart – Aladdin

Exceptional Cast Recording
Winner: Fun Home
Honorable Mentions:
Violet
The Bridges of Madison County
Big Fish
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Fucking Hair
Winner: Krysta Rodriguez – First Date/IRL
Honorable Mention:
Kate Baldwin – IRL
LaChanze – IRL

Exceptional Ass of An Actress
Winner:
 LaChanze – If/Then
Honorable Mention:
Fantasia Barrino – After Midnight
Jessie Mueller – Beautiful

Exceptional Ass of an Actor
Winner: Joshua Henry – Violet
Honorable Mention:
Steven Pasquale – The Bridges of Madison County
Male Ensemble – Rocky

Lifetime Achievement
Winner: Julie Harris

Breakout Star
Winner: Amber Iman – Soul Doctor
Honorable Mention:
Ciara Renee – Big Fish
Margo Seibert – Rocky
Michael X. Martin – The Bridges of Madison County

Exceptional Sasstress
Winner: LaChanze – If/Then
Honorable Mention:
Kate Baldwin – Big Fish
Amber Iman – Soul Doctor
Blake Hammond – First Date
Neil Patrick Harris – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Rema Webb – Violet

Exceptional Chemistry
Winner: Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Eric Anderson and Amber Iman – Soul Doctor
Kate Baldwin and Norbert Leo Butz – Big Fish
Andy Karl and Margo Seibert – Rocky
Sutton Foster and Joshua Henry – Violet
LaChanze and Jenn Colella – If/Then
Anika Larsen and Jarrod Spector – Beautiful
Bryce Pinkham and Jefferson Mays – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Real Tear Realness
Winner: Kate Baldwin – Big Fish
Honorable Mention:
Caissie Levy – Les Miserables
Kelli O’Hara – The Bridges of Madison County
Jessie Mueller – Beautiful

Exceptional Replacement Casting
Winner: Lindsay Mendez – Wicked

Exceptional Sung Passage by an Actor
Winner: Steven Pasquale – The Bridges of Madison County, “One Second and a Million Miles”
Honorable Mention:
Bobby Steggert – Big Fish, “Stranger”
Andy Karl – Rocky, “My Nose Ain’t Broken”
Joshua Henry – Violet, “Let It Sing”
Ramin Karimloo – Les Miserables, Everything

Exceptional Sung Passage by an Actress
Winner: Taprena Michelle Augustine – A Night with Janis Joplin, “Today I Sing The Blues”
Honorable Mention:
Krysta Rodriguez – First Date. “Safer”
Fantasia Barrino – After Midnight, “Stormy Weather”
Margo Seibert – Rocky, “I’m Done”
Lena Hall – Hedwig and the Angry Inch, “Tear Me Down”
Caissie Levy – Les Miserables, “I Dreamed A Dream”
Kelli O’Hara – The Bridges of Madison County, “Almost Real”
Rema Webb – Violet, “Raise Me Up”
Idina Menzel – If/Then, “Always Starting Over
Jessie Mueller – Beautiful. “Beautiful”

Exceptional Ensemble
Winner: Beautiful
Honorable Mention:
Big Fish
First Date
After Midnight
Rocky
If/Then

Exceptional Ensemble, Dance
Winner: After Midnight
Honorable Mention:
Beautiful
Cabaret

Exceptional Ensemble, Vocals
Winner: Violet
Honorable Mention:
A Night with Janis Joplin
Rocky
Les Miserables
The Bridges of Madison County
If/Then
Beautiful
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Ensemble, Background Acting
Winner: Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Soul Doctor
First Date
Hedwig And The Angry Inch – The Angry Inch
Violet
The Bridges of Madison County
If/Then
Beautiful
Aladdin
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Child Actor in a Musical
Winner: Gaten Matarazzo – Les Miserables
Zachary Unger – Big Fish
Anthony Pierinni – Big Fish

Exceptional Child Actress in a Musical
Winner: Emerson Steele – Violet
Honorable Mention:
Emma Howard – Violet

Exceptional Featured Actor in a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Aaron Krohn – Cabaret

Exceptional Featured Actor in an Original Musical
Winner: Michael X. Martin – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Alex Brightman – Big Fish
Ben Crawford – Big Fish
Ryan Andes – Big Fish
Jason Tam – If/Then
Don Darryl Rivera – Aladdin

Exceptional Featured Actress in a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Caissie Levy – Les Miserables

Exceptional Featured Actress in an Original Musical
Winner: Joanna Glushak – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Honorable Mention:
Ciara Renee – Big Fish
Vasthy Mompoint – Rocky
Jenn Colella – If/Then
Marisha Wallace – Aladdin

Exceptional Supporting Actor in a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Joshua Henry – Violet
Honorable Mention:
Kyle Scatliffe – Les Mis
Colin Donnell – Violet
Danny Burstein – Cabaret

Exceptional Supporting Actor in an Original Musical
Winner: Bobby Steggert – Big Fish
Honorable Mention:
Blake Hammond – First Date
Eric Anderson – Rocky
Jarrod Spector – Beautiful
Jake Epstein – Beautiful
James Monroe Iglehart – Aladdin

Exceptional Supporting Actress in a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Annie Golden – Violet
Honorable Mention:
Lena Hall – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Nikki M. James – Les Miserables
Linda Emond – Cabaret
Gayle Rankin – Cabaret

Exceptional Supporting Actress in an Original Musical
Winner: Kate Baldwin – Big Fish
Honorable Mention:
Cass Morgan – The Bridges of Madison County
Amber Iman – Soul Doctor
Taprena Michelle Augustine – A Night with Janis Joplin
Kate Loprest – First Date
Sara Chase – First Date
Fantasia Barrino – After Midnight
Margo Seibert – Rocky
LaChanze – If/Then
Anika Larsen – Beautiful
Lisa O’Hare – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Lauren Worsham – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Leading Actor in a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Will Swenson – Les Miserables
Honorable Mention:
Neil Patrick Harris – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ramin Karimloo – Les Miserables

Exceptional Leading Actor in an Original Musical
Winner: Andy Karl – Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Eric Anderson – Soul Doctor
Norbert Leo Butz – Big Fish
Zachary Levi – First Date
Steven Pasquale – The Bridges of Madison County
Bryce Pinkham – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Jefferson Mays – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Leading Actress in a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Sutton Foster – Violet

Exceptional Leading Actress in an Original Musical
Winner: Kelli O’Hara – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Mary Bridget Davies – A Night with Janis Joplin
Krysta Rodriguez – First Date
Jessie Mueller – Beautiful

Exceptional ‘Stache, Prosthetic
Winner: Charles G. LaPointe – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith’s Stache

Exceptional ‘Stache, Natural
Winner: Hunter Foster – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Eric Anderson – Rocky
Danny Burstein – Cabaret

Exceptional Wigs
Winner: Paul Huntley – Big Fish
Honorable Mention:
Harold Mertens – Rocky
Mike Potter – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Charles G. LaPointe – Beautiful
Charles G. LaPointe – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Male Wig
Winner: – Harold Mertens – Rocky, Gazzo’s Comb Over Wig
Honorable Mention:
Charles G. LaPointe – Soul Doctor, Sholmo’s Hippie Wig
Charles G. LaPointe – After Midnight, Everett Bradley’s Wig

Exceptional Female Wig
Winner: Paul Huntley – Big Fish, Sandra’s College Wig
Paul Huntley – Big Fish, Sandra’s Greying Wig
Honorable Mention:
Mike Potter – Hewig and the Angry Inch, ‘80s Inspired Wig
Charles G. LaPointe – Beautiful, Carnegie Hall Wig

Exceptional Prop
Winner: Hedwig’s Mic – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Honorable Mention:
Nina Simone’s cigarette – Soul Doctor
Rocky’s Eggs – Rocky

Exceptional Costumes
Winner: Linda Cho – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Honorable Mention:
William Ivy Long – Big Fish
David Zinn – Rocky
Arianne Phillips – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Alejo Vietti – Beautiful

Exceptional Quick Changes
Winner: Gregg Barnes – Aladdin – Jafar’s Finale

Exceptional Lighting Design of a Musical
Winner: Christopher Akerlind – Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Justin Townsend – A Night with Janis Joplin
Donald Holder – Big Fish
Jeff Croiter – Soul Doctor
Kevin Adams – Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Exceptional Set Design
Winner: Chris Barreca – Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Julian Crouch and Benjamin Pearcy – Big Fish
David Gallo – First Date
Julian Crouch – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Mark Wendland – If/Then
Bob Crowley – Aladdin
Alexander Dodge – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Tap Dance
Winner: Warren Carlyle – After Midnight
Honorable Mention:
Susan Stroman – Big Fish

Exceptional Choreography
Winner: Warren Carlyle – After Midnight
Honorable Mention:
Susan Stroman – Big Fish
Steven Hoggett and Kelly Devine – Rocky

Exceptional Dream Ballet
Winner: Warren Carlyle – After Midnight

Exceptional Orchestrations
Winner: Jason Robert Brown – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Larry Hochman – Big Fish
Steve Margoshes – Soul Doctor
Jazz at Lincoln Center and Daryl Waters – After Midnight
Doug Besterman, Stephen Trask – Rocky
Jonathan Tunick – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Sound Design
Winner: Peter Hylenski – Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Carl Casella – A Night with Janis Joplin
Jon Weston – Big Fish

Exceptional Music
Winner: Andrew Lippa – Big Fish
Jason Robert Brown – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Stephen Flaherty – Rocky
Steven Lutvak – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Lyrics
Winner: Andrew Lippa – Big Fish
Jason Robert Brown – The Bridges of Madison County
Honorable Mention:
Lynn Ahrens – Rocky
Steven Lutvak and Robert L Freedman – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Adapted Book of a Musical
Winner: John August – Big Fish
Honorable Mention:
Thomas Meehan, Sylvester Stallone – Rocky
Marsha Norman – The Bridges of Madison County
Chad Beguelin – Aladdin
Robert L. Freedman – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Exceptional Direction of a Revival of a Musical
Winner: Leigh Silverman – Violet
Honorable Mention:
Michael Mayer – Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Exceptional Direction of an Original Musical
Winner: Alex Timbers – Rocky
Honorable Mention:
Susan Stroman – Big Fish
Daniel S. Wise – Soul Doctor
Warren Carlyle – After Midnight
Bartlett Sherr – The Bridges of Madison County
Casey Nicholaw – AladdinDarko Tresnjak – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Honorable Mention to Plays We Saw
A Time To Kill
The Glass Menagerie
The Realistic Joneses
Mothers and Sons
Casa Valentina

Exceptional Special Theatrical Event
Winner: A Night with Janis Joplin

Exceptional Revival of a Musical
Winner: Violet
Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Exceptional Original Musical
Winner: Big Fish
Honorable Mentions:
After Midnight
Rocky
The Bridges of Madison County
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Big Fish: 11

The Bridges of Madison County: 10

Rocky: 9

Violet: 7

After Midnight: 4

Les Miserables: 3

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder: 3

Soul Doctor: 2

Aladdin: 2

A Night with Janis Joplin: 2

If/Then: 2

Beautiful: 1

Wicked: 1

First Date: 1

Cabaret: 1

Hedwig and the Angry Inch: 1Fun Home: 1