Dishing the upcoming Tonys with Diva D

What! No Hugh Jackman as host!!!! I've seen Neil Patrick Harris host the LA Ovations. He's fine, but...no Hugh Jackman????????

Anyway, dolls, rumor has it that Jane Fonda was splendid in her return to Broadway and that Moises Kaufman's 33 Variations was a spellbinding play. Even though it was originally done at La Jolla sans Fonda, I hope she brings it to LA in the near future. I've always admired her; she's one gutsy actress!!! And what is this I hear about Susan Sarandon letting down in Exit the King!? This lady is so great on film, but many friends say she just didn't cut it opposite Geoffrey Rush and played it all on one note. Susan, for shame, you're old enough and experienced enough to know better! So, folks, in case you're wondering, that undoubtedly explains why she didn't get a Tony nod!

FYI, Yazmina Reza's God of Carnage is predicted to win Best Play. That Marcia Gay Harden's sassy and hard to beat!!!!

I understand West Side Story is the hottest ticket in town! Do you believe Arthur Laurents is still directing in his 90s? He did Gypsy last year with Patti Lupone and now WSS. God bless him! And thank you, Stephen Sondheim, for allowing some of the songs to be sung bilingually in both English and Spanish!!!

Billy Elliott is predicted to win Best Musical and Best Score for Elton John, despite the fact that everyone has been complaining about how unsingable the songs are. Dolly Parton's tunes for 9 to 5 are terrific and the show was great in September at the Ahmanson, but it didn't get nominated Best Musical on Broadway. Pity!! I understand they have made many cuts from the version we saw here. And what about the performances of Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty being ignored by Tony voters? These two ladies have musical numbers in the show that knock your socks off! But Tony voters want more meaty roles, not music - thus, Allison Janney, who in my book was good, but no Lily Tomlin!!! Ah, Broadway! You poopoo LA Theatre! Too bad, because we've produced some masterpieces here and, as the late great Uta Hagen often said, "Great theatre is not necessarily in New York. It is anywhere you find it!" And that gal knew what she was talking about!!!

Stay cool and watch the Tonys on Sunday June 7!

-xxx

your dauntless diva d

Be sure to read a 2002 interview with this year's recipient of the Tony for Lifetime Achievement - composer extraordinaire Jerry Herman @ Grigware Interviews!