Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Live from the Drama Desks


And there I was, at Table 1 (Table 1!) last night, in the presence of an august nominee who was a bit peeved not to win. But so it goes. Look for me when the show is telecast (with judicious edits, natch) on Ovation beginning June 4.

And the winners were...my personal favorites were Bobby Cannavale, sensational in The Motherf**ker in the Hat (pictured), and 12-time nominee Derek McLane, finally winning for his ship-shape Anything Goes set design. "My son always asks why I don't win one," he remarked.

The show itself was a far more opulent affair than in recent years, with welcome one-stop carousing and celebrating at the Hammerstein Ballroom and its Manhattan Center environs and actual musical performances. Not much eating, however, as nominee Colin Quinn rather devastatingly pointed out from the dais ("three ziti in a red sauce you call dinner?"), to catcalls from the staff. (It must be said that the red velvet cupcakes and brownies at the afterparty went down a treat.)

So, a good time was had by all, with the possible exception of a few nominees. Best gaffe went to presenter Christian Siriano, who referred to "The Mechanic of Venice," which then became a running gag. (And not a bad idea; Jason Statham, call your agent.) And I had nice chats with special award honoree Reed Birney and Book of Mormon nominee Andrew Rannells, who may not have won but comported himself with style and charm. I'm glad I voted for him.

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