Tony Awards 2013 Nominations ANNOUNCED!!

BEST PLAY
The Assembled Parties Author: Richard Greenberg
Lucky Guy Author: Nora Ephron
The Testament of Mary Author: Colm Tóibín
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Author: Christopher Durang

BEST MUSICAL
Bring It On: The Musical
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Kinky Boots
Matilda The Musical

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
A Christmas Story, The Musical – Joseph Robinette
Kinky Boots – Harvey Fierstein
Matilda The Musical – Dennis Kelly
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella – Douglas Carter Beane

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE
A Christmas Story, The Musical, Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Hands on a Hardbody, Music: Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Lyrics: Amanda Green
Kinky Boots, Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper
Matilda The Musical, Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Annie
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Pippin
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Beautiful Thing #BeautDress - Arts Theatre, London (12/04/2013)

Last night I was a part of History. I attended the private dress rehearsal of the 20th Anniversary Production of Jonathan Harvey's 'Beautiful Thing' at the Arts Theatre, London. At the start of the show, producer Tom O'Connell came on stage to welcome us to this special event. He asked us to keep in mind that this was a Dress Rehearsal, a fact that I had completely forgot by the interval.

For those of you who may not know the play, “Beautiful Thing is a glorious urban love story between two young men coming to grips with their sexuality and the effect it has on the people in their lives. It tells the story of teenager Jamie's relationship with classmate and neighbour Ste. Together the two boys find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass through their loud-mouthed next door neighbour Leah. The play exquisitely depicts what it is to be sixteen, in the first flush of love, and full of optimism.”

As a fan of the play anyway, I was extremely excited and intrigued to see this production. It's safe to say, in no way was I disappointed. Every aspect of the show came together beautifully, making the whole thing so believable. Colin Richmond has done a fantastic job with the design. Although fairly simple, he did a great job creating a set, that was pleasing to the eye.

The cast on a whole, came together perfectly. Suranne Jones plays Jamie's mum, Sandra. Her portrayal of this loud-mouthed, single mother who is more pre-occupied with ambitious plans to run her own pub and an ever-changing string of lovers, is very well executed and believable. Her comedic timing is superb. The first scene in Act 2, between her and Jake Davies, who plays Jamie, was simply stunning. The acting between both of them was so true, and made the relationship between them seem so real. In fact, they reduced me to tears.