"Dreams in a Drawer"

 I'm feeling a bit out of touch these days when it comes to my favorite awards show. In recent years, Actors Equity, my union, has made a big push for inclusivity when it comes to all phases of live theater. I applaud this, I really do! But, I'm beginning to see performers like me being pushed out. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it. I've had a very full, successful career. I am a white, cisgender gay man of a certain age. With those facts, invisibility is inevitable ... and opportunities are fewer and far between.

The 75th Tony Awards show was very well produced and managed. Adrianna DuBose was an excellent host. I enjoyed it immensely. I had planned to skip the acceptance speeches, but found myself watching most of them instead. Unlike most other years, I wasn't familiar with most of the plays and musicals up for awards. (The exception being SIX which I saw pre-Broadway in St. Paul. SIX makes the case for the inclusion of a "best ensemble" Tony Award.)

I was thrilled for Jesse Tyler Ferguson's win as Best Supporting Actor in a Play for "Take Me Out" and for that play's win for Best Revival of a Play. Congratulations to Patti LuPone and Matt Doyle for their wins in supporting actor categories for the gender bending production of "Company". "The Lehman Chronicles", "MJ" and "Company" were the night's big winners. In general, this was the gayest Tony Awards ever ... and that's saying a lot.

The revival of "The Music Man" and "Mr. Saturday Night were shut out of the awards. It was not the year to be a traditional musical even with mega stars Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster and Billy Crystal headlining. A young actor named Myles Frost won Best Lead Actor in a musical for MJ, a biographical musical about Michael Jackson. I have mixed feelings about this show, too. Do I really want to celebrate a show about a pedophile?

SIX won the two categories I expected it would. Best Score and Best Costumes for a musical. As a huge fan boy of the show, I had hoped for more ...

Now, to my issues: 1.) "A Strange Loop" won best musical. To my eye and ear, it was the weakest of the best musical nominees. But, I knew it would win. The central character is a queer, black man with multiple alter egos. I knew it would win, but I don't get it. The music was weak, the premise confusing ... It will not be a commercial success outside of NYC. It is not going to sell tickets anywhere else other than maybe LA, Seattle or a specialized festival. It will not stand the test of time ... It's not memorable other than its premise; but ... it was politically correct in 2022.

The winner of the Leading Actress in Musical went to Joaquina Kalukango for "Paradise Square". What a voice! What intensity! Listen as she sings, "Let It Burn"!

https://youtu.be/_CfyM-rRdGU

2) I was sad that the special lifetime achievement award for Angela Lansbury was shunted off to the Act One hour of The Tony's, shown only on a streaming service. I didn't get to see that ... or the awards for choreography, set design, sound design, lighting design, costumes and score. These elements are fundamental to the success of any production. Only a couple of these awards were mentioned in the main telecast.

I predict next season's Best Revival of a Musical winner will be "Into the Woods". But, what do I know? I'm just a plain ole gay. Ha!

I had a unique opportunity yesterday afternoon. The “Phantom of the Opera” North American Tour was in its final day of performances in Minneapolis and I was invited by my friend and house guest Elaine Davidson, one of the road warrior keyboardists, to see “Phantom” from the pit. Strike that ... to hear the show from the orchestra pit. It was an extraordinary experience as I saw things the audience never gets to see!

My history with “Phantom” is just that now - history. I performed in the Music Box Company from 1994-1998, ultimately completing 1528 shows, 101 of them as Ubaldo Piangi. (Yes, I counted.) It was a magical time in my life. I remember much of the tour in detail; many of my colleagues from that time remain friends two decades after the fact. But, not once did I have the opportunity to sit in the orchestra pit for the production ... until yesterday ...

I had forgotten how lush and lovely the music is; the sensory experience of sitting between two of the keyboards was astonishing... watching the musicians’ expressions as they played the score ... observing the moments they’ve created between themselves to keep the music engaging after months or years on the road. Playing the show 8 times a week is demanding; keeping it fresh and alive requires focus and commitment beyond the norm, especially under the circumstances of a six pack of shows over the holiday weekend. (A six pack = 6 shows in three days.)

These days, Phantom tours with three computer-programed keyboards, a Concert Master (violinist extraordinaire) and two conductors. The touring musicians are supplemented by five locals on string instruments plus four woodwinds and a french horn player. My only surprise was a lack of a live percussionist.

I can’t tell you anything about the visuals of the performance I attended yesterday; I can only tell you what I heard. The tour’s current Phantom, Derrick Davis is phenomenal. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such an expressive voice ... rich and warm from high to low ... nuanced, yet powerful. Derrick’s diction was superlative, his singing like butter melted in sunshine. Davis was well-matched by Caitlyn Davis as the matinee Christine whose shimmering soprano was delightful to hear. La Carlotta, the opera diva, portrayed by Trista Moldavan, thrillingly tossed off the most demanding vocal role in the show with style and panache. David Benoit as Monsieur Richard Firman made a strong impression with his distinctive baritone, often used to comic effect.

Thanks to these artists and the balance of the talented cast, crew and orchestra for their outstanding work. You made this old “Phantom” Veteran very happy. I didn’t see your performances; but, I most definitely heard the quality of your voices and managed a glimpse of you during the BC/EFA appeal; What a treat to experience “Phantom” from the pit!