Tony mania is revving up with big stars, big screen

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 31, 2009 | by Erica Hansen Deseret News

The countdown to the Tony Awards is getting louder and louder as the awards are handed out one week from today at New York's City's Radio City Music Hall.

Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, the ceremony will feature performances by every musical nominated in the Best Musical and Best Revival categories, including: "Billy Elliot," "Next to Normal," "Rock of Ages," "Shrek" "Hair," "Guys and Dolls," "Pal Joey," "West Side Story," as well as performances from three current national tours: "Jersey Boys," "Legally Blonde" and "Mamma Mia!"

In addition, the Tonys boast presenters from a wide-range of talent: Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Daniels, Will Ferrell, Carrie Fisher, Jane Fonda, James Gandolfini, Lauren Graham, Nicole Kidman, Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, David Hyde Pierce, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Spacey and more.

The Next-Best Place To Be: If you're going to be in NYC but don't have tickets to the awards (which were still available online last time I checked for $154-$404 plus a $20 service charge -- Yikes!) you can now gather in Times Square!

The newly redesigned Times Square is now a pedestrian plaza on Broadway from 47th to 42nd streets. People are being invited to bring their lawn chairs and watch the awards from the heart of the theater district on the Clear Channel Spectacolor Screen. This simulcast will also include the one-hour pre-telecast program, where the Creative Arts Awards are handed out.

The Tony Awards will be broadcast, live, on Sunday, June 7, CBS, 7 p.m.

Other Theater Happenings:

I'm quite gleeful over this news, pardon the pun, but FOX's new musical comedy "Glee," is busy breaking a few records -- after just one episode.

"Glee's" recording of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot 100. A couple of reason's why that's so impressive: 1) They surpassed Journey's 1981 recording, which peaked at No. 9. But get this: It surpassed ALL of the nine recordings charted by American Idols competitors, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. If you missed it, FOX will air the episode throughout the summer with the season premiering in the fall. By the way, it features Broadway stars Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele.

Hair: The current Broadway revival cast of the 'hippie tribal love-rock musical,' "Hair," including Utahn Will Swenson, headed to the recording studio to make a new cast recording. The CD is currently available for download -- and is already the No. 1 soundtrack, and will be in stores June 23.

Hair Bands: Love 'em or hate 'em, the anthems of the '80s are now on Broadway in "Rock of Ages." Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "Rock of Ages" features 22 songs and will be available, digitally, June 2, and in stores, July 7.

Hair-Raising Duo: This time we're talking crime duo, Bonnie and Clyde. A new musical, with a libretto by Hunter Foster, is having an invitation-only reading on June 16. And in the reading of "Bonnie and Clyde: A Folktale," 2009 Tony nominees Sutton Foster and none other than Will Swenson will play the title roles. The pair will be joined by Broadway stars, Marc Kudisch, Debra Monk and Christopher Sieber.

And the countdown continues...

E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com