Tony Nominations

Though the monster that is the ‘American Musical’ doesn’t seem to have any global competition, the Brits have once again invaded Broadway and given us Yankees a run for our theatrical money. All eight musicals (original and revival) nominated for the Tony Award are ‘Made in the USA’, but only one out of the eight plays is from the States. Laurence Fishburne of Thurgood will be competing with four other Brits for best lead in a play, while on the flip side, Kate Fleetwood of Macbeth will compete with four Americans for best lead actress (though, in my opinion, Amy Morton should have been put in the featured category so that she and Deanna Dunagan can both take home awards). As far as my two cents, August: Osage County and Passing Strange are my personal favorites, though many of the other nominations are quite good. Let’s just all be thankful that crap like Young Frankenstein barely got recognized.

August Wins Pulitzer

Tracy Letts’ dysfunction-family drama August:Osage County has won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Arriving on Broadway with its original Steppenwolf cast in tow, the play has all the earmarks of the classical American three-act drama (a mix somehow of Eugene O’Neill and Sam Shepard). It is by far the best play I’ve seen on Broadway since Angels in America back in 1993. Before August becomes a staple of the regional/community theater circuit, make sure you see the original cast. For this and other roles, Amy Morton should be considered one of the best stage actresses in America, and Deanna Dunagan gives a legendary performance. For those who say there are no good parts of women, they can find an additional half dozen from this script. The play closes at the Imperial Theatre on April 20 at 3 PM, and thankfully is transferring to the Music Box for a April 29 opening.