Curiocity: Local Talent Asks 'Where's My Tony?'
To be completely honest, as much as I love musicals and theater, there's just something about the Tony Awards that makes me a little sleepy.
It's true, one should seemingly go hand-in-hand with the other but so many times I find myself flipping the channel during a producer's ninth time of thanking his mother and think, where's the pizzazz?
Turns out, it was hiding in a little local performance just down the street at Hennepin Stages Theatre called, "Where's My Tony?" -- subheadline: "The Awards Show You Really Want To See."
In all fairness, I had no idea what I was getting into walking into the quaint little theater Monday night. The stage is small, there were two microphones simply placed in the center and a piano taking up more than half of the platform.
Upon first impressions, it seemed the room was full of theater goers and groupies -- with a couple local actors thrown in the mix. It was a bit like a mini reunion of sorts for this group as everyone seemed to know each other and greeted one another as if headed to the church on a Sunday morning.
And to be honest -- and without offending any religion -- it was a bit like church for the theater supporter. The songs were all familiar, some made you clap along and if I'm not mistaken, I may have even heard an "Amen" following a ballad or two.
The show wasn't like anything I imagined, which was both good and bad. Good, in the way that it was full of surprises and an introduction to local talent. Bad, in the way that for the first act, I really didn't know what was going on.
The show featured two gracious and uber-talented hosts (also the show's authors) Whitney Rhodes and Josh Campbell. I immediately recognized Mr. Campbell, as I'm pretty sure he was a fellow Mounds View Mustang. As for Rhodes, it only took one note for her to completely win me over.
You see, though hosts of the evening, Rhodes and Campbell would introduce the nominees for an obscure award, such as "Worst Title For A Musical Ever," announce the award then occasionally belt out a tune from the winner. For other awards, cast members hidden within the audience would come up on stage, graciously accept their award (as characters of the winning musical) and grab the mic.
The play was lots of fun, very laid back and a great way to get better acquainted with the talented actors in our own backyard. I appreciated the humbleness of the show, as well -- a simple box-o-props facilitated the only "costume changes" and the set was nothing more than a red curtain backdrop.
And best of all, next to the prop box there was a goodie bin, where actors would occasionally throw out prizes (everything from a "Wicked" key chain to signed theater posters) -- and really, who doesn't love a show with some swag?
The one-night-only production was full of laughs, powerful performances and simple, straight-up entertainment. Plus some of the best musical numbers to grace a stage, but this time, with a twist, including a male lead version of Cabaret's "Maybe This Time" and a disco-infused rendition of "Phantom of the Opera."
Madde Gibba was hysterical in her drunken "Annie" portrayal and Kinaundre Lee could probably sing the White Pages and I'd cheer for more.
Perhaps the best part of the evening was that it was something of a sampling platter of acting talent -- if you liked them goofily performing in this, you were told where and when you could check them out next.
All in all, it was a fun evening, full of great music, wonderful flair -- and I didn't feel like flipping the channel once.
Sara Boyd is a web producer and columnist at WCCO.COM.
