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[0:00] Eli Tokash: Hello everyone and welcome to episode 159 of Take A Bow. I'm your host, Eli Tokash, and this week we have the Tony preview episode. As always, I'm so excited. Guys, I'm going to the Tony's this year. I'm gonna be there. I'm so freaking excited. It's gonna be the first time I'm ever gonna be at the Tony's. Uh, and it's kind of a crazy feeling, and I'm just so honored to have been invited and allowed to be in the media room. I won't even be at the actual Tony's and watching the Tony's, I'll be in the media room. So, uh, once the performers are done or whenever the Tony winners win and they come off stage, they'll talk to the press and everything, and I'll get to ask them some fun questions. So I'm super excited.

Uh, and before we get into that, I'm gonna talk about while you all are watching who wins, and you guys can keep me updated because I'll probably be checking my phone. So I have all my predictions on this week's episode, not all of them. Uh, we are joined by two special guests. Sean McManus is here to talk musicals with me, and we have the incredible editor of the lovely Take A Bow, Jessica Lauren, who helps edit the podcast. Uh, she joined me and we talked Tony's as well, which was super exciting. And it was the first time she was ever on the podcast, and I was so happy that she was able to talk to me about it. And without her, we would have literally had no play chatter. So I'm so glad that she was willing to come on and we were able to talk some plays as well as musicals, uh, but just Broadway in general and Tony things.

But we have a long episode coming at you all. But before we get into that, I've just got to make a couple announcements and some Broadway news. It's very exciting stuff. Um, Tony Awards are going to be live this Sunday on June 11th starting at 8 p.m. But it's gonna be like seven o'clock, is like the red carpet and the pre-show stuff. And act one, they're doing an act one, so they're doing the awards that aren't always broadcasted. Uh, they're gonna be doing that like they did last year on Pluto TV. Uh, and that's gonna be hosted by Skylar Aston and Julianne Hough. I also think that's gonna be available on Paramount Plus. Um, so that'll be very exciting. And then, of course, we have Ariana DeBose hosting the real live full event, which we are super excited for, Queen.

And it's gonna be great. There's a lot of performances this year, y'all. There's a lot of performances. We have one, we have Camelot, Into the Woods, Akimbo, New York, New York, and Juliet Parade, Some Like It Hot, Shucked, and Sweeney Todd. So that's nine shows performing, which I think has to be a record because we also have A Beautiful Noise and Funny Girl. Those two are obviously not nominated for Tony's. Uh, A Beautiful Noise, unfortunately, did not get any. And Funny Girl was a part of a different season. So, uh, there's 11 Broadway shows total, and then there's gonna be two other special performances. Um, so that's a total of 13 performances, and that's gotta be because of the writer's strike.

I have to think it's because of that, and, uh, you know, not doing some sketches or whatever it may be to fill some time, but they instead will be doing performances, which I'm super excited about. Everyone will get a little bit of taste of all the shows and form their opinions before we see who wins best musical. Very exciting. I gotta talk about Shucked. I saw it this week, and there's been a lot of news happening around it. I loved the show. I saw it on Tuesday, fell in love, and I hope that we will get some Shucked content coming very soon because I will talk about it for days. Uh, but I'm not gonna keep you along with it. Uh, I just want to mention that I saw it and absolutely loved it.

Um, and, uh, yeah, I want to go back and take my whole family. It was so funny. Uh, Robert Horn is a genius in writing the show. Um, I would see it a million more times if I could. And he even, Robert Horn actually went on, who the writer spoke the lines for the lead woman, uh, Maisie, the leading actress in the show, uh, played by Caroline Inkerbacher. Very exciting. He was speaking it as one of the co-composers and lyricists, uh, as Brandy Clark and Shane McNally wrote the score. Uh, Brandy actually stood in and sang for the role of Maisie, which is just so fun. Uh, they were standing at the front of the stage with the books in hand at a music stand. It was so cool. And, uh, I can't believe that that happened and they were able to pull it off.

It's incredible, and what a performance to be at for an audience member. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the audience and them themselves as performing on Broadway. It's super exciting. Uh, but that obviously had to do with air quality in New York City here in New York. So everyone, please, if you are here, uh, stay safe. It's craziness out there, and I can't believe that they were making performers perform. It's a lot, um, especially for some of the older theaters who, uh, you know, could really feel the air quality and the air pressure and all the things. So, uh, stay safe, everyone. And what a crazy time it was here. Hamilton, Camelot. Uh, a couple shows were closing performances and not having night shows.

Obviously, Wednesday was the worst day, and it was a two-show day, so some of them had matinees, uh, but some of them closed their canceled evening shows. So, uh, and then some of them just had a lot of understudies and swings and split tracks and all the things. Very, very wild times here on Broadway this week, but, uh, very exciting stuff. I'm not gonna keep you all too long, especially because we have the two episodes a week. Uh, it's just been a lot, and there's a lot of news to talk about, which I'm grateful for, and we can catch up about it, but I'll save it all for next week's episode so that I don't overload the content here. So without further ado, I think it's time to get to what we're all so excited about, and that is the Tony Award predictions. Curtain up on Sean McManus and Jessica Lauren.

[0:04] Eli Tokash: Oh my goodness. So we have the Tony Award prediction episode coming at you today. And we have a special guest. We have a returning special guest. We have Sean McManus joining us live from the tour of the Beetlejuice tour. Um, hi Sean, thanks for doing this.

[6:46] Sean McManus: Hi, Eli. Thank you for having me. This is so much fun.

[6:49] Eli Tokash: Oh my god, I'm obsessed. I'm obsessed with you, and I'm obsessed that Beetlejuice is living on on the road. How are audiences enjoying it on the road?

[6:58] Sean McManus: Audiences love it. And what's so cool is so many people will find us on the road that saw it on Broadway.

[6:58] Eli Tokash: Yes.

[7:06] Sean McManus: So it's amazing. They'll be like, oh, I saw you like at the marquee in August or whatever. And I'm like, that's the best. So, you know, we're in Philly right now, which is super close to New York. So we have like so many repeat offenders here. The crowds are insane. The following, the fans are just they're still out there, you know. I'm still seeing Beetlejuice on my For You page on TikTok. It's they're crazy. I love it though. It's awesome.

[7:32] Eli Tokash: Yeah, that's right. And the cosplay is still going strong.

[7:37] Sean McManus: Yes. Oh my god. That must be so fun. And so cool that you can, you know, continue doing it because you did do it on Broadway, and now you're still doing it on the road. I love it.

[7:47] Eli Tokash: Yeah, so exciting. Um, well, let's talk Tony Award. So I was finally able to see, so I saw Shucked Tuesday. It was the last one I needed to see. And I'm so excited to talk about it because I know that you saw it, and now I'll be able to like know what you're talking about and talking about it. So, um, I guess we'll start out because, you know, when we watch the broadcast, the musical like best musical is usually last. So maybe we will end with Best Musical too, and we'll save that for last. Um, and we'll start out with actors in a musical, and we'll do the featured actors first, actors and actresses, and then we'll do the leads.

[8:30] Sean McManus: So, um, for featured actor in a musical, oh my god, this category is stacked. Uh, Kevin Cahoon for Shucked, Justin Cooley for Kimberly Akimbo, Kevin Delaguilla?

[8:36] Eli Tokash: Aguila.

[8:44] Sean McManus: Uh, I don't know how to pronounce that name. Sorry, Kevin. Uh, Some Like It Hot, Jordan Donica, who we just had on last episode, period for Camelot, and Alex Newell for Shucked. Um, what are your thoughts?

[8:57] Eli Tokash: These performances were all incredible, and I'm so happy that they're all getting recognized. What are your thoughts here?

[9:03] Sean McManus: Yeah, well, first of all, let me preface and say anybody who's in all these categories, major props to them, and everyone is so fantastic. So that goes without saying, right? But in my opinion, this is Alex Newell's to lose. I know we've thought about with Shucked, but I just think it's so powerhouse. And I actually think that they should have been nominated for Once on This Island when they showed Osaka. And I think that giving them this Tony Award will kind of make up for that. And I also just think it's warranted. The range that Alex Newell shows in this role, both acting and vocally, I just think is unmatched. But that's my opinion. What do you think?

[9:48] Eli Tokash: I could not agree more. I was simply blown away. When I saw Shucked, it was literally a standing ovation in the middle of act one, which like never happens. But we'll get into Bonnie Milligan in a second. But, uh, that's in like act two, and it's kind of like we kind of see that moment coming, but like midway to act one, I feel like never happens. And I feel like that's really the point of the show where audiences start to like actually buy into the show. Um, and it's because of their incredible performance. Um, what I will say is to everyone who is wondering or, um, you know, wondering why Alex is in this category, they did come out and say, um, that the universal term for being a performer is an actor, a performer, all of that.

So they felt that this category, um, you know, represented who they were as an actor on stage and as their job. And that's why we're seeing them in this category among all these other incredible actors. But I could not agree more that it is their award to lose because their performance, I mean, everyone was phenomenal, but they just blew it out of the park. I mean, everyone's minds were blown for real. Um, I loved their performance so much. Uh, and then she like they announced that they were going on out into the West End, and she like tweeted, "Hey, honey, I'm ready to go to London." And I was dying.

[11:21] Sean McManus: I was dying.

[11:22] Eli Tokash: Oh my god. They're literally hilarious. I mean, what an incredible, uh, it's so much fun. Anyways, uh, I couldn't agree more. Definitely Once on This Island deserved it as well, but, um, hopefully they get their respect here. Um, cool. Well, that'll be interesting to see. Why don't we move on to featured actress in a musical?

[11:45] Sean McManus: Um, we have Julia Lester in Into the Woods, Ruthie Ann Miles in Sweeney Todd, Bonnie Milligan in Kimberly Akimbo, Natasha Yavett Williams for Some Like It Hot, and Betsy Wolf in Anne Juliet. What do we think?

[11:58] Eli Tokash: Well, also a stacked category. All of them are incredible. I actually love to see Julia Lester in this category. I think she was such a standout in Into the Woods, and I really was so excited to see her. I don't think she will win. I actually think Bonnie Milligan is gonna take this one home. That's just my opinion. Um, I have never laughed so hard than what I have when I saw Kimberly Akimbo. And I just think Bonnie Milligan is one of those people who's climbed the ladder so slowly but efficiently, like found the right roles, has been a part of the community for so long. And I think her main competition here is Betsy Wolf because another big name who's been around in the industry a long time. And there's so much love for Anne Juliet out there that I think this category would be a way to honor that show would be to give Betsy Wolf the Tony. But if you're asking me if I'm a betting man, I'm going with Bonnie Milligan for Kimberly Akimbo.

[13:00] Sean McManus: This is crazy. I could not agree more. And it's similar to my reasoning similar to Alex.

[13:05] Sean McManus: I mean, literally, there are two standout numbers like performances on Broadway, and it's both Alex and Bonnie giving showstopping performances, show stopping numbers, not once, but twice, multiple times in their respective shows.

[13:23] Eli Tokash: Um, but could not agree with you more. I think it was for me, Ruthie was phenomenal, Julie was phenomenal, Natasha was phenomenal, and hearing her story about having asthma and performing with it and what's going on with this New York City fog and everything, like it, I huge props to her. But I couldn't agree more as far as the award goes. I feel like it's either Bonnie or Betsy. And uh, Betsy is hilarious and all, but uh, Bonnie with those show stopping. I think I feel like if it wasn't for better, it would it's a tighter race, you know. But I feel like better just separates it.

[14:01] Sean McManus: Yeah, for sure. Okay. Well, okay. Who's oh oh oh, I guess we could go to the lead actors and actresses. Um, do we who who should we go first? Do you want to read the names for us?

[14:14] Eli Tokash: Sure. So for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical, we have Christian Borrel for Some Like It Hot, Jay Harrison G for Some Like It Hot, Josh Groben, Sweeney Todd, Brian Darcy James Into the Woods, Ben Platt Parade, and Colton Ryan for New York, New York. What are your thoughts?

[14:34] Sean McManus: Um, okay, it's so hard because my heart says Jay Harrison G, and that's who I have to win it. Uh or that's my official prediction. But the two leads in the same category scares me. And I just don't, yeah, you know, I don't want them to like split votes or anything. And I'm afraid that that's gonna happen. And honestly, if that does happen, then I feel like it goes to Ben Platt for Parade. Um I feel I feel like Josh Groben and Brian Darcy and Colton were all great, but I just feel like the front runners in this category for me are Jay and Ben. Um, because I mean Ben Platt's on the stage during intermission. It's kind of uh it's pretty incredible. He does not leave the stage for two and a half hours, two forty-five, whatever it is.

Um, but I just love Jay's performance and something that we um I hope to see more on Broadway in this representation um kind of year, I guess, the year of representation. Obviously, there's a lot of work, but um it's good to see, and hopefully we see more of, and hopefully that gets rewarded. So I don't know. What are your thoughts?

[15:47] Eli Tokash: I agree completely. So far, we're like totally on the same wavelength with all of these. Um I have Harrison G taking home the Tony as well. I think that the Tony's like to reward performances that show a lot of range. And for me having like to play two different characters essentially, um have that big arc. I think Tony's the Tony voters really look for that. So I think that Jay Harrison has the edge here. That being said, Ben Platt's This Is Not Over Yet has been on for months since that came out. And I listened to it so often. I also think this is a great comeback vehicle for Ben Platt because you know, after the Dear Evan Hansen movie and things were, you know, not very well received. I think that this show couldn't have come at a better time for him.

Also, as a Jewish American playing this role at this time, that's really meaningful. Um also you can never count Ben Platt out because he's so strong in everything he does. That being said, my vote for now is for Jay Harrison G.

[16:54] Sean McManus: This is hilarious. We were like we had our two front runners in every category basically be the same performance. It's hilarious. Uh but I couldn't agree more. I mean, especially because like Ben Platt too is just beloved in our community and uh by the Tony voters themselves. Um so the fact that we do see this range of him, you know, escaping the high school uh high schooler, you know, student and now being like a full fledged adult, uh kind of doing a more serious role. I mean, Dear Evan Hansen was a serious role, don't get me wrong, but uh it's more um I don't know, there there's something I guess more mature about this role, and uh to see him do something like this and stick his teeth into it, do it so brilliantly, uh is pretty cool to see, and that may sway Tony voters.

Who knows? Um interesting. What are your thoughts here? Because uh I I mentioned this when the Tony Awards came out. There's six uh actors nominated and five actresses nominated. Um do you know anything about that? Like what what is do you what are your thoughts there? What's what's going on with that?

[18:02] Eli Tokash: Well, something similar happened when I believe it was the year that Mean Girls was uh eligible because that was also six as well. It was like Haley Kilgore, Outerman. Um there were six women in that category as well. So I think it and I think Jesse Mueller was up that year as well. So I think it's a matter of when the nominators are split in their decision and and more than five people get the baseline number of recommendations, uh, then they add another person to the list. Um I would have loved to see more actress in a leading role uh representation as well. I mean, it's a stacked cast no matter which way you put it, but I also think it has something to do with Christian Borrel and Jay Harrison G both being leading vehicles on that show.

I think that first of all, the Tony's love Christian Borrel. He's won twice, been nominated, he's been nominated so many times. I think it would have been a disservice to not include him. I think that was the main vehicle for this being a sixth person category.

[19:07] Sean McManus: Interesting. And I like the way that you put it because honestly, I was I liked New York New York, and I thought that Colton Ryan was a standout, both Colton and Anna Uzeli, who was not nominated. I was shocked. Um but uh I was a little bit surprised that he did sneak in there, um, especially for how late it opened in the season. You know, I was like, how many Tony voters would get the chance to see it? But then they they snuck him in and they didn't sneak Anna in, and I was just like, hmm, interesting. But uh I I like your rationale of the two leading forces of Some Like It Hot uh possibly making that happen. But very cool.

[19:44] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I know. So I was always concerned, uh I was um, I don't know, I guess curious about it. Um should we move on to leading actresses?

[19:54] Sean McManus: Sure. Um so we have Annalie Ashford for Sweeney Todd, Sarah Bareilles into the Woods, Victoria Clark for Kimberly Akimbo, Lorna Courtney for Anne's Juliet, and Michaela Diamond for Parade. So this is the category that like I feel like is you literally could flip a coin. And I feel like it's the closest category.

[20:17] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I agree. Um it pains my heart because Michaela Diamond is like a spirit animal of mine, and like I just want to be her. Um, but I I feel like this is Annalie's uh uh award. I just saw Sweeney Todd recently, so that could be a factor of like, oh, it was my most recent performance that I remember that really stood out to me. Um I I just loved her performance, and I thought she was an absolute she was the best part of the show. I I like the whole show, Sweeney Todd. It's like you're the best part. I feel like that that deserves something. So I feel like mine goes to Annalie. How about you?

[21:00] Sean McManus: Uh mine goes to Annalie as well. However, however, however, however, this is a big asterisk because if it goes to Victoria Clark, I actually would be still very excited. Because she plays a teenager in her 60s with such honesty and truth. And um it's also she holds together a show that could be very scattered, but her performance is so grounded and so ethereal that I feel like I feel like the Tony Voters, since she hasn't won in almost 20 years, they could want to reward her for this. But that being said, Annalie Ashford, this is uh such an iconic role. I I feel like I feel like you can't not honor Mrs. Lovett. Like Patti LuPone was up for it, um Angela Lansbury won for it. I mean, it's just a meat and potatoes, excuse the pun, but like it it that role is like the meat and potatoes of everything that you know you would want in a musical theater vehicle.

Um I also just think that to be honest, I don't actually know where else Sweeney Todd is gonna sneak in with a win. I think it's also a very celebrated production. In my opinion, it's not gonna win best revival. So a way to honor it is going to be giving Annalie Ashford the Tony. That's just my opinion.

[22:32] Eli Tokash: Oh my. I love it. I love that opinion. I love the take. Um fascinating. I I'm very excited to see what happens. I I must say Victoria Clark is absolutely incredible in this show. Uh Ken Brilliant Kimberly Akimbo, of course, that we're talking about. Um she's phenomenal in everything that you said. It the range of that acting and what that must take every night is is quite impressive. But you know, she's a pro. There are no surprises from Victoria Clark, but it's just like as an actor, it's like, wow, God bless you.

[23:06] Sean McManus: Um, I also do want to say, like, uh, like Sarah Bareilles, like, I can't believe she well, I understand that she didn't get a Tony for Waitress because she replaced. I feel like that should be in a category. That's just me. Also, best ensemble should be we'll get that's another conversation. Best replacement and best ensemble need to be added stats. Really Pronto.

[23:30] Eli Tokash: I could not agree more. That's a whole other conversation. And so I'm so thrilled that she gets her first Tony nomination as a performer because she's proven time and time again that she is a performer and not just a songwriter for her incredible uh score of Waitress. Um, but uh I I'm very excited for her, and I wish I could have her uh, you know, uh take this win, but I I don't see it happening with these other strong performances uh in this category. So um I think if it was still running, she would have a stronger chance. Um I just think that you have two powerhouse performances, with also in my opinion, more veteran uh theater artists than Sarah Bareilles. I feel like Sarah Bareilles absolutely deserved this nomination. I was so happy to see her. I feel like the honor is the nomination itself, it's not gonna be honored in a win. That's just my take.

[24:27] Sean McManus: I couldn't agree more. And I think a lot of it also has to do with, I mean, no shame, but I think that Kimberly Akimbo and Mrs. Lovett are both stronger characters than the Baker's wife. For sure. If that makes sense. So um I think that has a lot to do with these performances in general. I mean, uh, everyone's phenomenal and everyone's on Broadway for a reason. So we're we're making these predictions because of the Tony Awards and because we're speculating and making our own predictions. Uh, but everyone did a phenomenal job, and some of these do go down to what character has a stronger, you know, uh punch, I guess, uh, here on Broadway and what kind of resonates more. Um okay, cool. Uh well, we're we're we're basically on the same page so far. Um let's see if that continues here. I guess we'll go over to the book of a musical.

[25:19] Eli Tokash: Um, and in this category, I'll read the names and we'll have you uh share your prediction first. Uh it's uh Anne Juliette, David Ress Reed for Anne Juliet, David Lindsay A Bear for Kimberly Akimbo, David Thompson and Cheryl Washington for New York, New York, Robert Horn for Shocked, and Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin for Some Like It Hot. What are your thoughts?

[25:44] Sean McManus: Well, first of all, this is the category of the Davids, my goodness. I know, literally. And that's my middle name. I feel so uh especially. Um my god, when you're nominated, we'll we'll allude back to this uh category. See who I want to win and who I think will win are two different scenarios.

[26:06] Sean McManus: I want Robert Horn to take this first shot because Robert, I mean, it is a Lollapalooza of gags and innuendos and inside jokes and hee-haws. Like it is, but it's so clever. Like, I'm sorry, the line. If you I think if you had time to take a bullet for someone, then like it's so stupid, but so well thought out. And you know what it is? It knows what it is. That's what that's the big praise I have for Shucked is that it knows its strengths and it plays on them. So I want and besides Alex Newell, I don't know that Shucked is gonna get a lot of love outside of featured actors. So I really would like to see them honored with Best Book of a Musical. That being said, I think David Lindsay-Abaire has an edge. My vote still goes to Shucked. My vote still goes to Shucked, but I think that Kimberly Akimbo, excuse me, could sneak in a win here.

[27:12] Eli Tokash: Wow.

[27:13] Sean McManus: Yeah, I agree. I mean, again, I think that this is something that is a really close race between & Juliet, Kimberly Akimbo, and Shucked. I'd be shocked if New York, New York, and Some Like It Hot kind of sneak out with a win. But my prediction is Shucked because I saw it Tuesday, and again, it could be that it's just like the freshest in my head, and I just remember how much I loved it. But I just like I don't know. There was something about it where I felt like it's gotta be so challenging as a writer to come up with these jokes and make a show enjoyable and funny while balancing it out with a good story. And I felt like Shucked, like it's marketed as this hilarious show and all of these things, but being from a small town, like it actually had a really, really good story that was like super important to tell, if you ask me.

Like honestly, like I was tearing up at the end. And I'm a baby when it comes to musicals, so it's fine. But like, I don't know. I just thought it was really beautiful, and he was able to, you know, kind of make light of all of it at the same time. And so I just thought it was really well crafted, and I feel like I've never seen a musical like this. I feel like this was super original when we get down to the bottom of the things. So I would love to see Shucked get this win.

[28:43] Sean McManus: I was just, I have to say when you did that imitation, I guess, or like what do you call those things? You do the voir and all the things, yeah.

[28:54] Eli Tokash: The impressions, there you go.

[28:55] Sean McManus: When you do that, I was literally thinking as I was watching Shucked that Sean McManus should be playing Peanut, Kevin Cohoon's role. I am petitioning you. I will write a note to Robert Horn right now for you to be the next Peanut in Shucked.

[29:13] Eli Tokash: Are you kidding me? Well, first of all, Kevin Cahoon deserved to get that Tony nomination. I'm telling you, like I was so happy when his name was announced.

[29:21] Sean McManus: Well, that is the highest praise that you could possibly give me. Thank you.

[29:24] Eli Tokash: Like, oh my god, he's brilliant. His delivery is so spot on. The material is so strong, and I think like the delivery could be as good if the content wasn't so strong.

[29:40] Sean McManus: Oh, absolutely. I don't think it's like, I mean this is no shade to Kevin. It really, it's kind of like furthering my point of why I feel like Robert Horn should win, but like I feel like however you would deliver that, it's funny. Like, because it's just a hilarious line. Like, who thinks of these things? Like, honest to God. Like, it's just so clever. And it's honestly like these jokes that you hear in Shucked, you feel like you've heard them before, but you haven't, you know? It's one of those like simple dad jokes that like you feel like you have already known, but they're not, you know, like they're like really original and they're so true. Like, oh yeah, like why haven't I thought of that moment, you know? It's so funny. I just I freaking loved that show so much.

[30:30] Eli Tokash: Okay, so that's Book of the Musical. Shout out Robert Horn and David Lindsay-Abaire for Kimberly Akimbo. We'll see what happens there. Um, where are we moving to next?

[30:44] Sean McManus: We have Direction.

[30:47] Eli Tokash: Oh boy, this is tough. What are you, oh should I do you want me to read the names here?

[30:53] Sean McManus: Yeah, sure.

[30:54] Eli Tokash: Okay. Direction of a Musical. We have Michael Arden for Parade.

[31:00] Sean McManus: Oh boy.

[31:01] Eli Tokash: Lear de Bessonet for Into the Woods.

[31:04] Sean McManus: Um, Casey Nicholaw for Some Like It Hot, Jack O'Brien for Shucked, and Jessica Stone for Kimberly Akimbo.

[31:14] Sean McManus: These are a good category. There's some good shows this year. This one is gonna be hard to predict, in my opinion. I think it's gonna come down to like just whoever had the most votes, obviously. I have a rationale for Michael Arden, and here's why. So here's why. This production of Parade was more well received than the original in terms of review. And it's a completely fresh, contemporized version of the musical that everybody loves. And it's also so timely and so relevant and so meaningful. And I think that it's the Once on This Island formula that he was going after in terms of reinventing the wheel and making it a more, making the story the center of the piece itself. So that's why, and I think that this is the time to reward him for that ingenuity.

I think that it's hard to take a beloved show in like segments of the theater community and make the revival more well received and more universally praised than the original production. Because I don't think, I think Parade is fantastic, but I don't think it's a perfect show. I think the craftsmanship of Parade was close to perfect.

[32:45] Eli Tokash: Mm-hmm.

[32:45] Sean McManus: I couldn't agree more. That's so funny. I just want to preface this by saying that Sean and I made our predictions on a separate piece of paper before we even got on this together. We did not talk about it. No conversation. I have Michael Arden on my sheet for Parade.

[33:05] Eli Tokash: And it's so true for everything that you said, and that was kind of my rationale with, you know, whether it is the fact that, you know, as audience members, we've learned and we've had more conversations than we did back in the day when this originally came out, and maybe we're a little bit more educated and we're maybe a little bit more willing to listen and hear other sides and whatnot. But I truly feel like it's a testament to the work that has been put into this show. I think that it's so simply done that it's like the simpler the better. Because I feel like this is an easy show just because there is a lot to play with, that this is a show that can easily get distracting and be a little bit more flashy, but it doesn't need to be, and it doesn't, and instead it's a show that like the way that he's done it, you're just gonna sit in the theater and cry for two hours, you know?

Like maybe not for the first 20 minutes, but after the first 20 minutes, it's game over, you know. And it's just because of how simple it is, and you don't have these flashy things like go musical theater, yep, be, you know, type things right that we're seeing.

[34:20] Sean McManus: Yeah.

[34:20] Eli Tokash: So it's like I think that's just a testament to what he's done. I wanted to give it to Casey Nicholaw, but I'm gonna honor Casey in another category coming up. So I was like, I'll give this one to Michael.

[34:33] Sean McManus: Um, Casey Nicholaw for Best Choreography.

[34:37] Eli Tokash: Maybe.

[34:38] Sean McManus: Because I'm saying that of course we are. I guess should we just go over to that?

[34:45] Eli Tokash: Right here, Casey Nicholaw, Best Choreography.

[34:48] Sean McManus: I believe you, don't worry.

[34:50] Eli Tokash: Um, well, I mean, I actually don't think that that's a close category compared to the other one.

[34:58] Sean McManus: Yeah, that is, I feel like that's game over. And I just love Casey Nicholaw. I would have done anything to see him in that show when he like did it for a couple of shows.

[35:08] Eli Tokash: Oh my god.

[35:09] Sean McManus: Okay, with 13 nominations, you have to honor them somehow. And I feel like so far we haven't given Some Like It Hot a ton of love, besides maybe Jay Harrison G. So I think that this is probably a way to honor Some Like It Hot.

[35:22] Eli Tokash: Well, let's get into it. The choreography category. It's Steven Hoggett for or Hodgett, maybe. Sorry. For Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Casey Nicholaw for Some Like It Hot, Susan Stroman for New York, New York, Jennifer Weber for & Juliet, Jennifer Weber for K-pop, not a big deal.

[35:42] Sean McManus: Two Tony nominations.

[35:44] Eli Tokash: Two Tonys one season. Come on.

[35:46] Sean McManus: I know.

[35:47] Eli Tokash: No, that's like, what? Go off, I guess.

[35:50] Sean McManus: Go off, Queen.

[35:51] Eli Tokash: Um, so cool. And so sorry that she probably isn't gonna win due to our prediction.

[36:00] Sean McManus: I think she's gonna split the vote.

[36:01] Eli Tokash: And I think that unfortunately it's gonna be that I think that oftentimes when people have multiple nominations in the same category, it doesn't bode well for them.

[36:12] Sean McManus: Um, so I think that Casey Nicholaw takes this. I also think that he hasn't been honored since Book of Mormon, I want to say. So I think this is another way to like keep Casey Nicholaw fresh in the minds of all the theatergoers.

[36:28] Eli Tokash: Couldn't agree more.

[36:29] Sean McManus: Um, we've talked about Casey for a little bit. You heard my, I know I don't really think it's that close. The Todd choreography was good. It wasn't like they had a show stopping choreography number like they do in Some Like It Hot.

[36:43] Eli Tokash: Their show stopping choreography number is freaking like 12 minutes long.

[36:46] Sean McManus: So, so like, if he doesn't get a Tony.

[36:48] Eli Tokash: Yeah, like if you don't get a Tony nomination for that, like or reward, I don't know. Well, I'm clearly watching a different show than these players.

[36:58] Sean McManus: But no, I just absolutely loved it.

[37:02] Eli Tokash: Um, where should we go next? Should we go to score?

[37:06] Sean McManus: Yeah, sure. Do you want me to read the nominees?

[37:08] Eli Tokash: Go for it.

[37:09] Sean McManus: Okay. So for Best Original Score, we have Almost Famous, Tom Kitt and Cameron Crowe, Kimberly Akimbo, Janine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire, K-pop, Helen Park and Max Vernon, Shucked, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Some Like It Hot, Mark Shaiman and Scott Whitman.

[37:28] Eli Tokash: And we know Mark Shaiman and Scott Whitman, they're fabulous.

[37:31] Sean McManus: I don't think this is gonna be Some Like It Hot, though.

[37:33] Eli Tokash: I don't, I don't think they will win.

[37:36] Sean McManus: I think Kimberly Akimbo will win, but I love the music in Shucked.

[37:42] Eli Tokash: But see, here's my thing. Janine Tesori is so brilliant, and she captures the tone of her shows so well. And I think that the range of the score in Kimberly Akimbo, like when you have "Better" and then like, um, what's the other song? Father Time, that Ali Mozi sings. When you have both of those songs in the same show, and we also talk about, okay, in musical theater school at Boston Conservatory, shout out Chris Cagiano. We used to talk about for what makes a good score, and the way to evaluate that is the level of integration within the score. And an integrated score means that it advances the plot, it elevates the character arc, and it makes the story more easily understood. And to me, among all five nominees, Kimberly Akimbo does that the best. The music and the lyrics themselves enhance the character and drive the plot forward the best out of those five.

[38:45] Sean McManus: Yeah.

[38:46] Eli Tokash: Um, I'm gonna admit here that there was one category before coming on here that I just left blank. And that was this category. To be completely honest, I'm not familiar with the score of either Almost Famous or K-pop. So those two, just because of my lack of knowledge of them, aren't on the table for me.

[39:14] Sean McManus: Um I was more so Some Like It Hot was the move they had their movie, um, and they were able to adapt it a little bit, so I didn't feel like they were gonna win it.

[39:24] Um, as you kind of said.

[39:26] So for me, it was between Shucked and Kimberly Akimbo.

[39:29] Um for me, I did love Kimberly Akimbo and the music in it, but I felt like there were only like two or three like really like earworms, I guess, that were the songs that stick in your head, and that's better.

[39:48] Um I personally just love Justin Cooley, so I loved his little good boy song, the good kid or uh the good boy or whatever it's called.

[39:59] Um then they're like opening.

[40:02] I love that uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh.

[40:05] Uh-huh.

[40:05] Uh so cute.

[40:07] Um, so I was just like, I don't know.

[40:10] There wasn't I wasn't, I didn't leave the theater um singing any of those songs, and for that reason, I was leaning towards Shucked.

[40:18] And because you covered the Kimberly Akimbo uh prediction, I'll go and we'll have our first disagreement, I guess.

[40:31] I know that's what I'm thinking.

[40:32] So is so just for all of those reasons, I'm gonna go to Shucked.

[40:37] Because you know, I came out singing Independently Owned, I came out singing Andrew Duran's song, um, his one right before Independently Owned, the the So Will I or I Will, or um I will, yeah, somebody will.

[40:52] Yes, I I just loved that song.

[40:55] Um that song is gonna be in every college audition that's ever existed.

[41:00] Real, so real.

[41:01] I was literally like, can that be my new my next audition song?

[41:04] Uh anyways, uh, but uh honestly, like I think I was more surprised.

[41:10] Like, okay, because it is David Lindsay-Abaire and Janine Tesori, we all know and love them.

[41:15] We're obsessed with their work and they've they always do great stuff.

[41:20] So coming in and being like, oh, what are these newbie country singer songwriters gonna write?

[41:27] I felt like it wasn't really traditional country music, and it they fit in here on Broadway, you know, the music.

[41:35] And so I I feel like just because maybe I I didn't expect as much from Kimberly Akimbo that I did from Kimberly Akimbo, I was more surprised and pleasantly like, oh yeah, this could work.

[41:49] And I feel like that's why that night I enjoyed the music more for seeing it the first time, because I was like, oh yes, I'm I was surprised, and and it was a pleasant surprise.

[42:00] So um I think I'm that that's why I'm gonna go with them.

[42:03] Uh if you can if you can't tell, I'm really like Shucked.

[42:08] Um, anyways, we'll we'll move on.

[42:11] We talked enough about score.

[42:13] Uh we have just two categories left.

[42:16] And there are our big big hitters.

[42:21] Do we have uh oh, I I actually think that we're gonna disagree on this.

[42:26] This is we'll do the revival first.

[42:28] I think we're gonna the revive.

[42:30] Let's hear, let's hear it.

[42:31] You wanna read them off and and share your prediction?

[42:34] Sure.

[42:35] Well, we have four amazing revivals, like incredible.

[42:40] Um and I've seen I've seen two out of the four.

[42:46] So maybe that's why I haven't, maybe that's why I'm swayed a particular way.

[42:50] Uh-huh.

[42:50] Um, so we have Into the Woods, Lerner and Loewe's Camelot, Parade and Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

[42:58] So Into the Woods, I believe would have won if it was still running.

[43:05] But since it closed in January, I do not think it will win.

[43:09] Camelot, I'm gonna be perfectly honest, I haven't seen it, so I can't attest to how the quality of the production.

[43:15] Um and that, so I I think it's down to Parade and Sweeney Todd.

[43:19] Do we agree that that's for sure?

[43:22] Okay, so we agree that much.

[43:24] Um for the sake of disagreement, I'm gonna go with Parade over Sweeney Todd because I think that revivals are done in a way to reflect how little has actually changed from the time that the show was written to the time that it currently exists in.

[43:47] Oh shoot.

[43:49] That reason, I think that Parade will sneak in a win here.

[43:55] Um Sweeney Todd has a lot going for it and could easily win this.

[44:01] I totally see that that could happen.

[44:03] I think that Parade has the edge for that reason.

[44:06] Oof.

[44:07] You're you're kind of deterring me there.

[44:10] Um I just like literally, I feel like if this cast wasn't in Sweeney Todd, I don't know if I would have liked it as much.

[44:22] That's so true.

[44:23] Very true.

[44:23] Like, like I feel like by me picking this Sweeney Todd, it's really just saying this was the best casting direction.

[44:30] Like shout out to Telsey or whoever casted it.

[44:34] Um I I just I it was so good.

[44:37] I mean, every performance was just oh my god, you're the best part of the show.

[44:42] Oh my god, you like what like every every number was just like you stole the show just now.

[44:49] And um, you know, I I just I I never seen a production of Sweeney Todd, so I was really excited about it.

[44:56] Um I loved Parade, and I honest to God loved Camp a lot, and it pains me to say that I don't think it has a chance next to those two, and I really do think it's down to the two of them.

[45:08] And I love your reasoning for Parade, but I'm I'm gonna stick with my prediction since I came on here having the prediction.

[45:15] Um I'm gonna go with Sweeney.

[45:17] Because that way we have our bases covered.

[45:19] So like I for sure.

[45:21] One of us will be right now.

[45:23] Yes, yes, yes.

[45:25] Oh my god.

[45:26] Okay, okay.

[45:27] It'll be so embarrassing when you get all of the ones we disagree on correct.

[45:31] And I can no it'm great.

[45:36] Um I love it.

[45:38] No, it's it's it'll be new.

[45:40] Let me say that I'm very I would be very excited for both of them to to win um I think that both of them obviously deserve the win I've never seen I don't I honest to god don't remember a revival category this strong same oh yeah yeah I thought I was like the four of these shows I mean come on it's incredible and and it reminds me of the year when we had She Loves Me and The Color Purple and both of those revivals were absolutely stunning yeah that the color purple reminds me yeah I could I could have watched that revival of color purple like inject it into my veins like I could have just seen it every night Cynthia Erivo please I know it was a night I was there the closing night of the color purple revivals oh my god stop it it was the best yeah oh that's amazing what a cool little tidbit um well let's turn our our our focus over to the to the big to the big uh show the the one that every yeah the one that everyone is is dying to to know about um the one that really holds the most weight I would say uh out of all of these Tony awards for a show's success in the future here um we have best musical yeah yeah do you wanna read it off and share or did you like me to read what how do you want to do this one this is your podcast you you you go ahead.

[47:17] Eli Tokash: Oh my god.

[47:18] So wow, guys.

[47:20] Oh my god.

[47:21] This is so much um no best musical of the 2023 Tony Awards.

[47:27] The nominees are Anne Juliet, Kimberly Akimbo, New York, New York, Shucked, and Some Like It Hot.

[47:38] Should I give my prediction first?

[47:40] Or what should we do?

[47:41] Go ahead.

[47:41] Go ahead.

[47:42] Okay.

[47:45] For my winner, uh, Some Like It Hot.

[47:49] Um I think I I think that um as much as I loved all of these other musicals, and honestly, it pains me to say that we've literally given Anne Juliet nothing, and that's why I wanted to have I wanted Abby to come on to just like have someone uh hype up Anne Juliet because I know she would.

[48:11] Right now she's gonna listen back to this and be like, are you kidding?

[48:15] You know, this is what she gets for for shopping and and not um coming with us.

[48:21] I'm just kidding, Abby.

[48:22] We love you, and we know you're doing important things and important shopping, so go on.

[48:27] That's right, that's right.

[48:28] Uh the Tony Awards shopping.

[48:29] We love it.

[48:30] Um, anyways, I I just I I love all of these musicals so much, but I think when in the grand scheme of things, I remember so vividly leaving Some Like It Hot and going, Okay, that is Broadway.

[48:45] Like that, I understand what it is now.

[48:49] Like, I feel like I didn't fully like I'd seen all these shows and they differ, and it's like all of these high quality perfor uh shows of shows that I may have seen or haven't seen, and it's wonderful, but like this was just like an all-in-one with the show stopping choreography number.

[49:07] You have these incredible performances by Jay, Christian, and um uh Anna, not it was Ailey, but the other one.

[49:15] Um, Hicks, are you thinking?

[49:18] Brianna Hicks, yes.

[49:20] Oh my god, how did I forget?

[49:21] Adrienne Hicks, she steals the show of Sugar.

[49:24] Um, and so like you have all you have it all into one two and a half hour show, and it's like, wow.

[49:32] Okay, I understand.

[49:34] So that is my pick for best musical this year.

[49:38] What what are your what's your prediction?

[49:41] Sean McManus: That is a really solid argument, and now I might reconsider.

[49:45] But I'm gonna I'm gonna be honest and say that wasn't the one I chose before we came on.

[49:51] Oh, I chose Kimberly Akimbo.

[49:54] Yes.

[49:55] Now, okay, here's the thing.

[49:57] Some Like It Hot also has the advantage of have coming in with 13 nominations.

[50:02] Like, that's insane.

[50:04] Um so clearly the nominating committee and the voters already love this show, right?

[50:10] Like, there's no denying.

[50:12] Um, and and also rewarding classic Broadway.

[50:16] Like, if you think of in like the golden age of the Tonies, like in the early 2000s, you had like Hairspray, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Producers, like all big flashy musicals that won Best Musical, right?

[50:27] Um, it spam a lot even like it so in that way, I do think that Some Like It Hot has a good chance.

[50:35] The reason I have Kimberly Akimbo winning is it reminds me of the 2015 race when we had Fun Home and we had American in Paris.

[50:43] And those were the two, and believe it or not, it was the Janine Tesori formula that boosted Fun Home to a win.

[50:50] So Fun Home was the underdog because it was a lot smaller, it was that circle in the square, and it had a more intimate feel to it, but it was beloved within the community, right?

[51:01] Yeah.

[51:01] And I think that Kimberly Akimbo has all of those same ingredients that the Tony voters love to reward.

[51:09] Like they're really into the inventive, a little bit more stylish, um, contemporary musicals in recent years.

[51:20] Like I'm thinking of Hadestown.

[51:22] I'm thinking of um Fun Home.

[51:25] Like I said, you know, I'm thinking of a lot of those types of shows that are being rewarded.

[51:31] Like, for example, we had Hadestown winning over The Prom.

[51:34] The Prom was this big flashy Casey Nicholaw vehicle, right?

[51:39] Which was an amazing show and beloved, but it didn't have enough oomph to win over Hadestown.

[51:45] So that's why I have me.

[51:48] That's why I think Kimberly Akimbo, because it has all of the same Fun Home ingredients and like a great score, good book, completely inventive.

[51:58] I think that it has enough uh to win in that kind of thing.

[52:02] Eli Tokash: Yeah.

[52:03] I I love that argument.

[52:05] And I've honestly I've heard that argument before of the whole like this reminds me of the American in Paris Fun Home year.

[52:12] Um it's interesting because I felt like this Some Like It Hot was like golden age type of music.

[52:23] Sean McManus: Totally.

[52:23] Eli Tokash: Oh yeah.

[52:24] Sean McManus: Um, but it's new, and I've like never seen anything like that. And it's and I say that like this is Broadway, because I feel like we're starting to see this shift, and I think it started in that Fun Home year. Of is it is Broadway the flashy golden age musical, or are we seeing this shift into melting our hearts with the art and the drama and getting real and emotional and raw with these shows?

[52:54] Sean McManus: Um so I respect that prediction and I'm rooting for honestly, I'm rooting for all these shows. But also again, Abby's gonna be like, you didn't vote for anything for a single category, and we'll be like, I'm so sorry. No, honestly, I yeah, like I don't know. I don't know where we could have sucked her. I mean, obviously, if she was here, she would have had Betsy, she would have had them winning Best Musical. They would she would have had it all, but I don't know. I just I have to go, I don't know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Abby. I'm sorry. It's just we we we we did what we did, we said what we said, and we'll stand by it. We did no, we didn't leave it. We stand by it.

[53:38] Eli Tokash: Um I love it. Well, this has been so much fun. And who knows? We'll see what happens on Sunday. Uh crazy, right around the corner. And good luck to everyone. I'll be there. I won't be at the Tonys, I'll be like across the street in the media room talking to the Tony winners. So I'm very excited. I won't really be able to enjoy the Tonys, but you already know I'm coming home and I'm watching it on playback or whatever I can watch it on. Is DVR a thing anymore on demand, whatever it's called nowadays? I don't know. Uh too much.

[54:20] Sean McManus: Um, but to say the least, I'm so excited. How are you watching the Tony Awards this year on the road? Are you guys gonna have like a cast party and watch?

[54:28] Sean McManus: Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're just gonna get together and because we don't have a Sunday night show, thank God. We just have a Sunday matinee. So yeah, we'll be watching, we'll be boozing and having a good time. Yes, we'll have it on in the background, and then it'll be like the thing we'll have it on in the background, and like the second the awards come on or the performances will like be glued to our seats.

[54:49] Eli Tokash: So yeah, you know what? It's so interesting. And I talked about this earlier in the show, that there seems to be a lot of performances this year, and I think that has to do with the writing strike and not having it be scripted, they can't do as much, and they're just doing performances.

[55:05] Sean McManus: That's right. I'm very interested for this Tony Awards. There's been a lot going on around it, so this should be very interesting. Very interesting to say the least.

[55:15] Eli Tokash: You're so right. Thank you for having me. This was so fun.

[55:16] Sean McManus: Oh my god, thank you for doing this. I'm so excited. I was so excited when you said you would come on and chat with me about it. So thank you. I love the Tonys. I fill out these ballots every single year. So I still it's a blast. Yes, I'm obsessed. And thank you for doing this. Everyone go check out Beetlejuice on the road. Go check out the Sean McManus show. Where can we follow you now? I know you have a new TikTok. Where's the things?

[55:42] Sean McManus: Oh, yeah. So my new TikTok is @shawnee_mac_official. And then my Instagram is @smcmanus33. And then I'm also doing a solo show at 54 Below. In-person tickets are sold out. It's July 6th. It's a Thursday at 9:30 p.m. But there will be a live stream, so you can get your tickets at 54below.com. And yeah, yeah, you don't even have to be in New York. You can literally be in Philadelphia where he is right now.

[56:10] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I love it. All right, so exciting, everyone. Go check it out. I'm so excited for you. First solo show, solo show debut. And it's sold out. What a treat. How exciting. I can't wait. You're gonna kill it. Um all right. Thank you so much.

[56:28] Sean McManus: Thanks, Eli.

[56:30] Eli Tokash: Okay, so now we have another guest joining us. I'm so excited. We have our little Take A Bow team here. We have our fabulous editor, Jessica Lauren, is here to talk about the Tonys with us now.

[56:45] Eli Tokash: Uh, we have a little bit of a more of an insight into the plays between Jessica and I. So let's just start off with the banger and talk about Best Play. We have Ain't No Mo, we have Between Riverside and Crazy, Cost of Living, Fat Ham, and Leopoldstadt. What are your thoughts?

[57:05] Jessica Lauren: Yeah, so I've only seen two of them. So I can't speak for the other three because I've seen Fat Ham and Leopoldstadt. Um, so those other plays, I mean, they could have been absolutely amazing. So don't take my word for this. But I saw Leopoldstadt before I saw Fat Ham, and I absolutely loved it. I really thought it was really beautiful. I thought the acting was incredible. I thought it was incredibly moving, and there were so many great things about it.

[57:31] Jessica Lauren: Um, but then I saw Fat Ham and it's completely different. I mean, it's a complete 360, it's hilarious, it's modern, it's new, and I really loved it. And as much as I loved Leopoldstadt, Fat Ham also made me want to go back a second time. I saw it with two of my friends, and then my boyfriend was coming to visit, and I was like, you have to see this. So we are all gonna pick up and go see it again because I want you to see this. Because I don't know if I've laughed that hard, like ever at a show, and it was just like it was just so much fun.

[58:04] Jessica Lauren: And I thought I went into it expecting something different because I knew that it had to do with Hamlet. So I was like, okay, like I've seen production of Hamlet, I've seen retellings of Shakespeare, and like you know, they're fine and good, but sometimes like it's either a little too bold or not enough, and like this was just the perfect combination of like kind of paying homage to the story, but like not overdoing it with Shakespeare to the point where you're bored or like you don't get it, and I think like the play could stand alone without the Shakespeare rap.

[58:36] Jessica Lauren: Like, you didn't have to know Shakespeare, you didn't have to know anything about Hamlet to enjoy it, and I think that that's really fun because it makes it you know more accessible to people, and you know, a modern play is always fun, like the oldies are good, but like a modern news story, like relatable, and like there were just so many good things about it, and I feel like you know, that kind of like fresh humor is just so needed on Broadway, and just having fun is needed on Broadway. I think if I come out of a show that was so fun, like then it's a win for me.

[59:06] Eli Tokash: So I don't know. It's a win for you.

[59:08] Jessica Lauren: I couldn't agree more. Um, you saw more plays than I saw this year. I've only seen Leopoldstadt from that category, um, but which is so sad. I need to get more on my plays. Um, but I like the Fat Ham prediction. I was thinking Cost of Living. I read Cost of Living, so it's like other than Leopoldstadt, like the only other play that I'm like familiar with.

[59:34] Eli Tokash: Um, so my prediction is Cost of Living, but TBD. I love the Ain't No Mo though. I heard great things, so it's hard to say. I think it's gonna be an interesting category for sure. I mean, I think if not, they'll be nominated for other or win other things, either of the plays. I think the plays were really strong this year.

[59:55] Jessica Lauren: Um, I mean, look, I haven't really seen many plays in other years. So I'm talking from someone who like doesn't hasn't lived in New York since last year, but you know, I think like this year, it's just I mean, especially like post-COVID, I think people had a lot of time to like kind of marinate on like what was gonna be in the next season, and like they brought the really like good stuff.

[1:00:15] Eli Tokash: Well, I mean, you've seen a good bit of plays because you out of the two of us, we've seen all of the revival plays. Um, and I know that you really enjoyed one of them because you were talking to me about it after I like talked about it in an intro of the podcast. Um, I know that you love Topdog Underdog. So I've got to ask, what are your thoughts for the Best Revival? Do you think that has a shot to win it?

[1:00:41] Jessica Lauren: Yeah, I think absolutely out of that. Um, I think it's nice that we saw the between us, we saw four, so we can have a um but I saw A Doll's House and Topdog Underdog. I saw Topdog Underdog first because I had I had read it in college, and so I was like, Oh, I really want to see it, whatever. So I went a day and I got a rush ticket. I went by myself. I've never been to a show by myself, but I was just like, I want to do this, and shout out to their rush policy, which I guess it's not around anymore, so it doesn't matter. But I got a ticket the day of for $35 and I was in the front row, so I just have to flex that that was a pretty good deal.

[1:01:18] Eli Tokash: Yes, we love a rush ticket.

[1:01:21] Jessica Lauren: It's a really interesting play, and to be honest, I don't remember much reading it, so I kind of went into it almost blind because I was like, I don't remember how this ended, but I remember like it was really interesting. And it's a two-person show. And I know you talked about on the podcast how you were like, how can two people be nominated for lead actor? And I was like, let me tell you. I promise you.

[1:01:44] Eli Tokash: I mean, I get it because yeah, because I see that like Some Like It Hot is the same this year as well. And I was like, what is happening? It's just like, I don't know. That but it makes sense when you said it. It truly was 50/50. Um, because there was only two of them, it was, you know, a play about two brothers and kind of going through their family life and interactions. And it's kind of a bizarre type of play.

[1:02:13] Jessica Lauren: Like the concept is like, you know, one of them is like an Abraham Lincoln impersonator, and it's a lot of like a play that like, but he's a black man, and so it's kind of like ironic how like he goes to work every day and people shoot him. Like he works in an arcade where he pretends to be Abraham Lincoln and he goes to work every day, and like people fake shoot him.

[1:02:13] Eli Tokash: Oh wow.

[1:02:13] Jessica Lauren: And so it's kind of one of those plays that's like when you're reading it and when you're really listening to like the kind of irony of the situation, you're like, this is like wild, and this is weird, and this is definitely one of those plays you walk out and you're like, I want to talk about this, and just their performances were just kind of powerhouse and how they interact with each other and how the set is stationary, like it takes place in a bedroom the whole time, and they're just coming in and out and having scenes with each other and monologues on their own, and it's so simple, but like I felt so much emotion from them that I think just like it was a really testament to the actors because that play could be really boring and not make any sense if you didn't have the people because you have to see it in their mannerisms, you have to see it in the words they say because it's so kind of ironic and metaphorical, and that really like I don't know if any of this makes sense, but no, totally I think it's a testament to them, which is why I think that it was a really strong contender because they made it make sense when I remember reading it and I was like, this kind of weird, and like I don't really kind of get it, but I like got it when I saw it.

[1:03:40] Eli Tokash: Yeah, that's amazing. And so how do you feel like that compared to when you saw A Doll's House?

[1:03:46] Jessica Lauren: I really did like A Doll's House. I did, I think, you know, when I think about the two, I definitely think, you know, the kind of emotion I felt from Topdog Underdog was like stronger. I mean, that also might have been back to like I was all the way in the balcony for A Doll's House, and I was front row for that show. I'm sure I'm a little biased because it was like two extremes. But I did really love A Doll's House, and I do think it was really strong.

[1:04:10] Jessica Lauren: And in a similar way, it was that simple set, there's not much to it, but it's their emotions. And I think that their emotions were really strong, and it, you know, it kind of comes down to like just how you like felt when you walked out. Because I do really think on paper, like they kind of had similarities, and I kind of liked them in a similar way.

[1:04:29] Eli Tokash: Yeah. But I don't know, I just had like a feeling. I don't know how to describe it.

[1:04:31] Jessica Lauren: So you say Topdog Underdog has the stronger case for Best Revival of a Play.

[1:04:38] Jessica Lauren: I think so. I also, I mean, A Doll's House, I didn't really know much about it, but I do know that it's like a play that's been done a lot and it is done a lot. Right. So, and part of the story, like, you know, it was a great story, but there was something about a story that makes you think so much more. Like A Doll's House, I was like, okay, I kind of know I understand what they're saying, and you know, that's just how the play is. It's not a fault of anyone. That's just the play. But it was like going to a show that kind of really makes you think, and you're like, oh, this is like bizarre in the writing of the play. Like that to me, like, you know, wins for me.

[1:05:12] Eli Tokash: So that's so interesting. I'm so mad. Every time I talk to you, I'm so mad I don't get I didn't get to see Topdog Underdog.

[1:05:18] Sean McManus: It's like talking about it. That's why no one was talking about it. But like low key on theater Twitter, they were like, and I'm and I just like never like got a chance to see it. And I'm so mad because I'm such a big fan of Kenny Leon who directed it. And he directed that and Ohio State Murders this season, and he didn't get a recognition for either of the two. Um he didn't get a nomination for either two, which made zero sense to me. Um but like then again, I didn't get to see either one. So what do I know? Was that not for not for best? The only thing that was nominated for uh they got a nomination for was uh Audrey McDonald's performance, and that's literally the only nomination the show as a whole got.

Right. Um, so which is really interesting if you ask me. Uh, but I got to see the sign and Sydney Bruce Scenes window. I got to see a doll's house, and I got to see the piano lesson. Um from those three, like you said, I left the theater. Oh my god, I love your little Schubert theater cup. Um, thank you. This is my entire dishware in my house. I was like, I'm not even putting it so bad, but like I have like 10 of these like cups. It's amazing.

[1:06:31] Eli Tokash: Um yeah, so I I agree. Like my leaving the theater, I was like, oh yeah, doll's house was the one that made me feel the most. Um I thought Jessica Justin's performance was stupid and so good. It was a master class. She was literally on the stage the entire time. I loved that like you walked in the door of a doll's house and they're just like sitting on the stage, all six of them. And it's like, whoa. Like before we're even there. It's kind of like a Ben Platt moment stay sitting the whole entire intermission of parade. Um it's so trippy. Um but it's it's incredible. And I also have Jamie Lloyd winning for best direction of a play. Um, but I didn't get to see many of those others in that category.

So what do I know again? Um but yeah, I have a doll's house. I loved the sign and city Brewsteen's window. My only complaint about that show was that it was really long. Um, but Oscar Isaac and um Rachel Browsehan gave incredible performances. Um I didn't feel like the show itself, like the show itself, there was just too much going on almost. Um, and so but I thought like a doll's house, like you said, I mean, it's been around forever, it's been done a million times, and the way that they were able to rework this, um, I think was just so brilliant.

[1:07:46] Sean McManus: And I think that's the other cool thing about revivals. I don't really know much about the history of the others, but I know that this uh version of a doll's house, um, it was definitely redone by Amy Herzog. Um, and I think it's always pretty cool when there is like noticeable change in bringing back a show and there's a purpose for a show coming at this time to do it this way and to tell the story that way. Um, so that's that was my thought process through all of that. But I didn't get to see Top Dog Underdog, so uh you're you're making me psychic guess myself, but uh that that's my spiel, I guess.

[1:08:26] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I mean you are right about doll's house because I forget that it was, I mean, I haven't read it, but it's in very old language, right? So it was definitely that's kind of what I expected going in. I was like, oh, this is gonna be in like so you know, it is a big change. Like it's I almost wish I had seen like an original production of it to appreciate the change. Because I think doll's house, because it's been done so many times, the thing you the thing you look for with a revival like that is, you know, I want it to be different. But with Top Dog Underdog, it's like it hasn't been done a million times, so it's okay if it's kind of done the same way that it's been done before. Right.

[1:09:06] Sean McManus: Yeah, same with Fat Ham. It's that kind of thing. It's like you did something different with Hamlet, and that wins you points because it's different, you know. So I don't know. Well, it'll be interesting nonetheless to see what happens with it. Um I have gotta ask because I mean the the biggest award of the night, uh especially uh in terms of like longevity of a show's run, is best musical. And I know you haven't seen that many, but I've gotta get your take on it. I've already shared that I feel like some like it hot is my winner. Um so I'm curious to hear what your thoughts are.

[1:09:42] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I mean, I have seen out of that Kimbrillia Kimbo and Shuct, but I do hear everyone saying some like it hot, but I feel like I can't have an opinion because I haven't seen it. But part of me feels like everyone's saying that, that that's just gonna win. Uh which isn't which isn't always the case. Um, but I am partial to Shucked. Uh I love I love it so much. I had a blast. I said, this is wonderful. Um, like everything about it, I was just like, yeah, I love it. It's it's not too much, it's not too flashy and crazy, but like it's a great time.

[1:10:17] Sean McManus: And I I felt really similar about Fat Ham that I felt as Shucked as I was like, I just had a great time. And that's kind of like what I don't know, because sometimes I I go to the theater, I want to be challenged, I want to think. And then sometimes I'm just like, this is funny and this is fun, and that's enough. And that's what Shucked was. I mean, it wasn't just funny though. It was, you know, the performances were incredible. Alex, like, I mean, there was like a standing ovation mid-show. Literally.

[1:10:45] Sean McManus: Yeah. So I mean, and in my book, like, I mean, some like it hot was it a movie? Am I correct on that? Or was it? There was like a sitcom, supposedly, or like a TV series called Yeehaw that it's like loosely based off of. I don't know.

[1:11:01] Eli Tokash: So I've heard. I don't know if that's actually like don't count me on that. I have no idea.

[1:11:06] Sean McManus: Yeah, I have no idea how close it actually is or if the characters are the same. I don't know. I don't know what the deal is, but that's what I've heard. But yeah, obviously, like, yeah, I don't know. And I and also I did see Kimberly Akimbo, which I did love, and in a similar way, it's a new story, and that's really exciting on Broadway when a lot of the times it is things that are redone, and there's nothing super wrong with that because obviously there's been so many great results of things that have been movies, yeah, um, or whatever, but it is really refreshing to kind of go in and get a new story.

[1:11:36] Eli Tokash: Um, I really did like it. I think it, you know, didn't make me feel the same way that Shuck just because I think anything that makes me laugh is gonna like just leave me like remembering it, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. I really did like it. I thought it was funny, I thought it was, you know, it wasn't slapstick funny in the same way, but it was you know, just made you feel good.

[1:11:58] Sean McManus: Um, I think it which like I don't know if everyone agrees with this, but I feel like it kind of felt more like a play to me, like even though there was music, but part of me wanted to like sometimes sit in the emotion more as a play.

[1:12:13] Eli Tokash: I agree. The music was good, but I didn't think it was like, oh, this is such blown away music that it needs to be here. That I'm like, I kind of would have loved to explore the acting a little more.

[1:12:22] Sean McManus: Oh my god. Wait, I'm obsessed with what everything that you're saying because I literally uh talked to Sean, who just joined us before this. Um we talked about this because he picked Kimberly Akimbo to win best score. And I was like, I personally was not like blown away by their score. And I I granted I love Janine Tassori and David Lindia Bear and everything that they make is great. Uh, but it's not like they had a bunch of these showstopping numbers where I feel felt like I gave it to Shocked.

[1:12:50] Eli Tokash: Um because I was like, you know, Alex Newell had a standing ovation mid show. And granted, Bonnie Milligan did too, so that's a great song. But I also felt like you know, Andrew Durand, the song before uh um independently owned. Uh this his song before that, somebody will, uh, was like standing ovation worthy and like total bop worthy, you know, like where I was like they had multiple showstoppers where I felt like Kimberly Akimba didn't have that. So I like that you're saying the same thing that I thought and seeing it more as a play. I I thought I think that's interesting.

[1:13:23] Sean McManus: Um I also just like love listening to you talk about like the way that you enjoy theater and like the your favorites, um, because I feel like you would love and Juliet if you're just talking about like wanting to go to the theater and just have a good time and like have fun.

[1:13:43] Eli Tokash: Um I feel like you'd love that show.

[1:13:46] Sean McManus: I I feel like my hot take though is like I mean I'm waiting for my mind to be changed, but like I really like I I don't love jukebox musicals, and it really like my favorite thing in the world, which is like why I haven't gone to see it. And I hear that it's a great time and I hear that it's great, and I'm sure they're extremely talented, but I'm just so hesitant because like people are like, go see Moulin Rouge, and I'm like, no, I refuse to see it. And like I do.

[1:14:12] Eli Tokash: Like, I and by everything I say, I'm like, I know everyone's so talented, and it does not come down to that. It comes to just like the feeling of hearing a pop song sung by musical theater, like irk something in me that I can't like describe. Like, I don't know, and it's like no hate, it's just like you know, I just can't, I don't know. And I'm waiting for my mind to be changed, so maybe I'll just go and then maybe I'll have a different tone, but I think we need to change our mind.

[1:14:36] Sean McManus: I I'm the same way, but I love it when um like An Juliet, the way that they do it is they legit like they embrace it, like they have a jukebox on stage to kind of reference it, and the way that they like do their songs and there's this number in the show, they kind of just like make fun of them for being a jukebox musical.

[1:14:58] Eli Tokash: And so I'm like, I respect that, and that the work that they're doing is just so entertaining that you're just like, okay, I could get with this, you know.

[1:15:07] Sean McManus: I because I'm the same way. I don't know. I feel like I have to give it a chance.

[1:15:13] Eli Tokash: I feel like you'd totally be in that fan base. I feel like you would just fit right in.

[1:15:17] Sean McManus: It's hilarious.

[1:15:18] Eli Tokash: Oh my god. Yeah, because it's just like, I don't know. I I like to go for both, and I think that's why I really have liked the plays, because it's like I, you know, growing up coming to New York, we would go see the big musical of the year, and that's really all we would see. And then when I was like, I think 16 or 17, I saw Angels in America, and my whole perspective changed.

[1:15:36] Sean McManus: And I was like, this is crazy. I sat through five hours of this and I'm obsessed, and I love this. And why have I not seen a play on Broadway? And that like changed it for me.

[1:15:44] Eli Tokash: And I was like, I have been sleeping on plays because when you come as a tourist, you're like, oh, obviously, I'm gonna see the best musical, like obviously, but the plays are under good.

[1:15:53] Sean McManus: I couldn't agree more.

[1:15:54] Eli Tokash: And it wasn't like until like really this season that I've been like on the plays train. Um, because usually with like when I was younger, I would be like bored if there wasn't like singing or something, and I'd like doze off or something. But now as I'm getting older and I'm like, oh yeah, like I can get into this.

[1:16:12] Sean McManus: Um a stage, you know, there's no songs and movies.

[1:16:17] Eli Tokash: Yeah, it's like it's cool.

[1:16:19] Sean McManus: Um cool.

[1:16:21] Eli Tokash: Well, is there any other like uh categories that you're really excited about and you want to talk about? Maybe musical revival or or I don't know, shout whatever.

[1:16:32] Sean McManus: I well, I'm sad that I have not yet seen Parade and Sweeney Todd because if they were not like if Sweeney Todd was not a million dollars, like I would have been already. If they could watch might be standing outside at 8 a.m., but they do not entering the lotteries. Like, I'm trying, and I really want to see them, and I really think that they will win a lot. Um, just from like, I mean, I just know it's like you know, you have Ben Platt, you have Josh Groman, you have Annaly Ashford. Like it's like a no brainer, like I don't have to see it to know that.

[1:17:01] Eli Tokash: Yeah.

[1:17:01] Sean McManus: Um, so that's still pending for me. I saw Into the Woods and I absolutely no, I saw Into the Woods twice. I'm such a liar. That that and Fat Ham. I have seen both of them.

[1:17:12] Eli Tokash: Oh my god.

[1:17:13] Sean McManus: Um, yeah. So one time I went and then someone's like, I won the lottery. Do you want to go? And I was like, all right, I guess we're going again. Um for a show like that, like I'm glad in that moment in time because it was such iconic with like such an iconic cast. Like, how could you not take up that moment and like go see that? And I've never seen a production of Into the Woods before.

[1:17:31] Eli Tokash: So it was new.

[1:17:33] Sean McManus: Um, but I I don't know because even though I haven't seen the other musical revivals, I don't feel like it will win just because it was into the woods exactly what into the woods you expected it to be, which is great and fine, and I absolutely loved it, but it wasn't, you know, it was exactly what you expect.

[1:17:52] Eli Tokash: And sometimes when you want a revival, it's like you want something that's a little different, or you want a performance that absolutely blows your mind that you weren't expecting, and I didn't necessarily feel that way.

[1:18:02] Sean McManus: Um, I think Julia Lester was incredible, and I love that for her. And I would hope I would love her to win because I think that I mean, I don't know who else is in that category.

[1:18:20] Sean McManus: That's I feel like 100%. I think Bonnie Milligan would take that category. It's gotta be. But I do think that Bonnie Milligan will take that category.

[1:18:36] Eli Tokash: I'm with you. I know I wouldn't go, I actually haven't, I although I've talked so much about Parade, I haven't seen Parade on Broadway. Um, so when I go, I'll have to bring you along. Um you thought Sweet Todd though, right?

[1:18:52] Sean McManus: Not to get off on a tangent, but I did see Sweeney Todd this week, and oh my god, it was so good, and unfortunately, uh, because I'm just the biggest Ben Platt Michaela Diamond stands. Um, I have Sweeney Todd winning Best Revival. Um but that's also without seeing Parade on Broadway. I saw it at City Center, literally like Lazro the entire show, like up in the balcony. I didn't get like press tickets or anything for that. I like went and purchased a ticket. I was like, I can't miss this. It was so good though. I think Sweeney Todd, I think that I think I don't know who's in the category with Ben Platt, because that's I think where it becomes difficult is it's a stacked one, it's a stacked one.

[1:19:38] Jessica Lauren: Christian Borrell, uh Jay Harrison G, Josh Grovin, Brian Darcy James, Ben Platt, and Colton Ryan. It's just there's so much. That is a toss.

[1:19:50] Sean McManus: Isn't that also like the same three that were in the 2017?

[1:19:53] Eli Tokash: Yes. Not wrong. It's wild. And Ben Platt took that one, so keep our eye out. I have Jarison Jay Harrison G, but uh, I said an honorable mention to Ben Platt, and I feel like because Jay Harrison G and Christian Burrell are in the same show, they could split votes, and that could actually help Ben Platt uh the win and get the most uh votes because you know people may be like, oh, I love Some Like It Hot and go either way. Um, but some people may just be like Ben Platt. And who all the Tony voters love Ben Platt? He's already won a Tony, and you know, it's like it's great. Um just yeah, I can't believe that it's the same three as like five years ago. Wild.

[1:20:39] Sean McManus: Like that falsetto's year. I mean, I was really paying attention that year. So if there's any Tonys that I've ever paid attention to more, it's that one in Falsettos was robbed, but it's fine. I love Sweeney, you know.

[1:20:52] Eli Tokash: We'll see what happens. All of these categories this year, it was a really strong year for Broadway. It's very exciting to see what's to come. Um do you think it's if you think it's post-pandemic, or do you think it's just like I mean, I guess you've probably followed the Tonys way more detailed than I have in my life, but I feel like this year is like really loaded.

[1:21:14] Sean McManus: Yeah, you know, it's a little bit of post-pandemic, but it's a little bit not because it takes so long to develop a musical. And so all of these were already in the works before the pandemic. Um, you know, Camberly Akimbo uh is over at the Atlantic. I mean, that was post-pandemic, but it was already ready prior to the pandemic. Uh and Juliet was over in the West E. Shuck kind of came out of left field, to be completely honest with you. Um, I know it was in development and did well at like Wisconsin in Wisconsin, I think. Um, but that was post-pandemic, so he could have really used that time to really make it what it is now, maybe make it a little bit more funny because of you know, we all need a little bit of laughter and everything.

So I don't know. It's interesting and it's interesting to play with. Um, I think it's a little easier to bring a revival over. Um, and that could actually have been post-pandemic theater. Um, but I think uh it nonetheless it just gets us excited for the next couple the short future for for theater because of this post-pandemic era that we're in. So it'll be interesting. Everyone had more time to write. I feel like musical revivals, I don't remember them being like this many strong ones in a year. Like you were like, oh, this this one was obviously. But this is like that's insane. I mean, thank God those aren't in the categories with best musical, or like no one would literally, literally. Never once have I seen a revival category that could I I'd be happy with all four winning.

[1:22:48] Eli Tokash: Right. To be completely honest with you. Um I would love to see Camelot just come out from under all of it because no one's giving it the proper due that I think it deserves because I thought it was amazing. Um and I'd love to see Parade. Like I'd I just love Parade and and love everything, like the way that it Sean actually voted Parade. Um, the way that it, you know, was on Broadway for 14 performances, if that, and uh now it's getting this wonderful run and the honor that uh you know it deserves. So uh I'd love to see that in kind of being recognized, I guess, and and win. But I think at the end of the day, I think it's gonna be Sweeney. So we'll see. It'll be interesting.

[1:23:31] Sean McManus: Yeah, I agree. Cause like even though Sweeney hadn't been on Broadway in a long time, like it had a movie, it had the appreciation like everything. And like, you know, notoriety doesn't, you know, win you awards, but also you're kind of rooting for like, you know, you want the one that didn't get its time to like get its time. So, like kind of underneath you're like, great, even though you know it's good, you're like, it's like it's like the good, like it's not an underdog because it's really not an underdog, but it almost feels like that because it didn't get its time on Broadway, that you're like, let it have its moment, it's a good show.

[1:24:03] Eli Tokash: Yeah. And it and I struggled with taking Sweeney because it took the it's always done, you know, like every five years it seems like it's on Broadway or they're doing a production off Broadway or somewhere close. Um so it it was really hard. But I I just thought this production was is was quite magical. Um and Annal Ashford is just so good in the show. Like she like made the show. Um and so I was just like I can't go against that. Maybe because it's the the show that I've seen like most recent. But I just I just loved it so much. I know it's I struggled taking it because I wanted to take Parade so bad but you know oh well.

[1:24:47] Sean McManus: No I get it. I'm like giving opinions on something I haven't seen and nobody listen to me. But I just say whatever I want but I think I agree with you on that from my from my knowledge that I can infer. So totally um was there any more knowledge that you want to infer um well I have a question for you because I unless you talked about this earlier um because you saw Life of Pi correct oh okay I did not talk about this. I want to know about that because I want to see it and I haven't heard anyone who's seen it.

[1:25:19] Jessica Lauren: So every single category that Life of Pi is uh nominated for is on my prediction to win. I cannot believe that the main actor who plays Pi did not get a nomination and it pains me but I loved everything about Life of Pi. I've tried to get my mom I've tried to get my grandpa there I am a big fan of it, and I think it deserves to win. It didn't get any of like the best revival of a play or best play or anything like that, but it's up for scenic design. It's up for uh costumes, directing, uh sound design. Um, so I have them in all of that. Um, so it'll be I I hope it deserves some sort of recognition. I mean, the show is just too good, it's brilliant. It won over all the awards over uh in the West End at the Olivier.

Um, so I I feel like they've gotta do something with them. But again, that's also because I haven't seen many others in the category. So I don't know how I don't know how uh that that's just my personal bias because it's like one of the only ones that I've seen. But I will say they're in categories with A Christmas Carol, which I saw at Doll's House, which I saw Leopoldstadt. Um, and so but I chose Life of Pi because I just loved it every second I enjoyed.

[1:26:47] Eli Tokash: Oh yeah, I want to see it. I also I feel like I didn't give Leopoldstadt its moment because I am thrilled that Brandon Yoranowitz is nominated, and I think he should get it because he was absolutely incredible. So that is because yeah, I I thought he wasn't nominated at first, and I was like, that is such a snub, and I was so angry. I was so angry about it. For like 30 minutes, I was like, this is ridiculous because I had just did it the week before. I was like, how did he not get nominated? And then Eli was like, he did, and I was like, oh okay. Yeah, okay. It's like it's fine.

[1:27:16] Sean McManus: Yeah, shout out to Brandon. His performance is so good. That category is another one. Samuel L. Jackson, Aryan Moyad, uh Brandon Yoranowitz, Jordan E. Cooper, and David Zayas. It's like, oh, I don't even know.

[1:27:32] Jessica Lauren: I mean, he's incredible, but then you're standing up against people like that. Like, I don't know.

[1:27:36] Sean McManus: Right. It's it's just like crazy, especially Samuel L. Jackson. I mean, the guy's a legend, you know.

[1:27:42] Eli Tokash: Right. Like, I can't.

[1:27:43] Sean McManus: Yeah, I like good performance, kid. You know, I really feel like a lot of these categories are unpredictable, and that makes it very exciting to watch because I really feel like more than ever, it's like not that clear.

[1:27:58] Eli Tokash: Yeah. It it's uh definitely a coin flip year, and it's exciting to see. So we'll see what happens. Very excited.

[1:28:05] Sean McManus: Yay. Cool. Well, Jessica, thank you so much for doing this, and thank you for coming on. I'm so glad that we got you on the podcast and uh talked some Broadway with you. It's so fun.

[1:28:15] Jessica Lauren: Of course. I hope everyone liked my opinions, good or bad.

[1:28:19] Eli Tokash: Of course. No, I'm I'm so glad because you know, without you, we legit would have had no play talk. So uh so happy that you uh were willing to do this and came on here.

[1:28:29] Jessica Lauren: Of course, it was a pleasure.

[1:28:32] Eli Tokash: Take a bow, Sean McManus, and Jessica Lauren. I'm so excited that we were able to be joined by uh two of those fabulous guests, and so it's not just me talking for a full hour about the Tony Awards. It's so much more fun to have a little bit of banter, have a little uh competition, uh, whatever it is, some fun stuff, and it was good to have a new guest and a reoccurring guest. Uh, very fun stuff. Once again, the Tonys are this Sunday at uh you can watch it on CBS, Paramount Plus, uh Hulu with live TV, all the things. Be sure to tune in, get your ballots out. We may be doing a giveaway uh for it all. Uh, but stay tuned for all that information. Follow us on social media to find out more about that, and enjoy the Tonys.

And I can't wait to see you all on Tuesday, a short week once again. Uh, we have another great episode. We have some incredible guests next week with Jesse Mueller and Javier Munoz. Uh wow. Jesse Mueller I is already recorded, and I just all I can say is what an episode. Uh I'm so excited to share that one with you guys. And I record Javi next early next week. So uh stay tuned for it, and uh can't wait to see you all very soon. Thank you all for listening. Uh as always, and I hope you all come back next week for both episodes. Until then, bye everyone. Have a great week.

[1:30:05] Eli Tokash: For this episode's curtain call, I would like to recognize a few people who also deserve to take a bow. This podcast would not be possible without the help of Dory Bernstein, Alan Seales, Kimberly Garrett, and the team at the Broadway Podcast Network. Next in line to take a bow are our fabulous editors, Jessica Warren, who edits the audio of the podcast that you just listened to, and Tessie Tokash, who edits the videos and visuals for this podcast. And how about a bow for our executive producer, Chris Greiner? And our final bow are extra special to the patrons Brian Thompson, Pat McMahon, the listeners at PCC, as well as all of the other patrons for their continued support. If you're interested in becoming a patron, go to Patreon.com slash T A B. If you enjoyed this week's episode, make sure to subscribe on the platform that you are currently listening to this on, or go check out our YouTube where you can watch the episode.

You can also subscribe, like, and comment on there as well. If you're more into the regular social media and want to follow us, you can do that at Take A Bow Podcast across all social media platforms. The music of this podcast was made by Nikki Torsha and Cormac Collinon, and the logo was created by Giselle Bustos. And that wraps up this episode's curtain call. Thank you all again for listening to this week's episode, and I can't wait to see you next week. Bye everyone. Have a great week.