Backstage: Julie Taymor might have been fired from the "Spider-Man" musical, but she could still walk away with a Tony Award next year for directing the stunt-heavy mega-show. The Tony Awards Administration Committee said Thursday that Taymor will be considered eligible in the best direction of a musical category for "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark."
Friday, November 04, 2011
Julie Taymor Eligible for a Tony for 'Spider-Man'
Backstage: Julie Taymor might have been fired from the "Spider-Man" musical, but she could still walk away with a Tony Award next year for directing the stunt-heavy mega-show. The Tony Awards Administration Committee said Thursday that Taymor will be considered eligible in the best direction of a musical category for "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark."
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Alright this might be a little mean, but this is such a joke. I feel like it is such table scraps to nominate Taymor. Yes, like the article said "Spiderman" when she had it had turned into a punchline. I have no qualms for the current "Spiderman" getting nominated for next years Tonys. But nominating Taymor now, is just like saying 'good try, we feel bad that you had to be replaced'. I feel like it makes a joke of others nominated in that category, belittling the work that they did, that assumedly did well. Oh well, they might only be doing it for show anyway, and then they're making a joke of the Tonys themselves.
I am not a critic but I can be critical. If Julie Taymor wins a Tony for Spiderman, Turn Of the Dark it will it will be a serious blow to my opinion of the Tony’s and Broadway Theatre in general. It took her years to put this show up and there were accidents and the second act was death on wheels. It took multiple iterations and eventually she was let go. How is this excellence in directing? The show she directed was so disjointed that it would be a mockery to give her an award for it. The only consolation I would allow her is that she was dealing with a rotten script and possible had a terrible group of producers. Then a Tony Award for Directing could be give as a “look what she overcame” prize but I not think that is the case. If Spiderman wins awards, it should be for its design elements. Not the directing.
Folks, READ. Please. She is ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION, meaning, that she has been deemed the de-facto director of SM:TOtD for the purposes of potential nomination. We all have our opinions of the show (I, for one, was offended by the inanity of several sequences that affronted my taste as a theatregoer above the age of 12), but the committee attributing responsibility (perhaps blame) for the production to Taymor actually says a lot about the American Theatre Wing's assessment of the show's pretty crazy process; that is, they see the bulk of the directing work (original concepts for the production and collaboration with designers, production staff, actors, etc all the way to tech and previews) attributable to Taymor, while the replacement director (cleaning previews to opening night) is only a creative consultant, regardless of how many changes were made. Anyone have thoughts on where the bulk of a director's work is? The Wing seems to put the value on the design and rehearsal processes and less on the final product of the show.
This is not fair and in keeping with the collaboration that Julie Taymor, only, might be eligible for a Tony. I feel that both of them should be eligible for the award, or just the person that filled in for Julie Taymor once she was fired from this part of the project. What is on the stage is not all her doing someone had to go and pick up the pieces once she left and try to get the show to pay off its large price tag. I don’t think this will ever happen due to the large amount of overhead in the show and investment so far. The fact that it would be really hard to take the show on tour due to its large amount of automation and flying effects and being specific to this theatres specifications. I hope Julie Taymor the best for getting the Tony nomination and if she does get it I am sure that it will be the first of its kind.
Brian makes an important distinction. She is just eligible for nomination. However I wonder what precedent this sets for future productions, and also if other productions set similar precedents making Taymor's eligibility possible. Considering what a joke Spiderman was at last year's Tony's, I seriously doubt that she would even be in the running. The show already got the nod of a performance during the Tony's. Time to move on.
I agree with Ariel that this may set a precedent in the future that is interesting. How does one person judge who is solely responsible for a collaborative piece of work? But I don't foresee this being a common problem, at least I hope not. However, Taymor did do several years worth of work on the show, good or bad depending on how you feel, and the show would not have happened without her. Even though severe edits were made after she left I do understand why she would be credited as the Director. I don't know that she will be nominated or win a Tony but it will be interesting to see what happens.
"And the award for most time and money wasted goes to..."
While the quality of her work might be debatable, she did her work just as any other director would. In terms of winning--that's a different story. However, there is no reason that she shouldn't be eligible for a Tony. The majority of the show is hers. I think allowing McKinley to be eligible would not have hurt though. He did work to doctor the show.
I like that Brian pointed out that she is only eligible not nominated. I know she did most of the work on the show but I think that McKinley should be eligible to. By only billing him as a consultant it is like spitting in the face of all the work he has done to try and fix the show. It is incredibly difficult to come in the middle of things and pick up where someone else left off. McKinley should be acknowledged for fixing the things that everyone else was ignoring when Taymor was on the show. I know Taymor did alot of work for the show but when you are fired form a job I think that should disqualify you from even being eligible to win an award for doing that job best. I mean come on best does not equal fired. But I don't think it is time to be upset about it just yet. If she actually gets nominated then I'll be upset. And probably lose all faith in the Tony's.
It doesn't matter what happened or not she did direct it and as much as she might of fucked up a little more that a bit , you cant negate the work she did on it. this is also a statement of eligibility, it doesn't mean she will win or even be nominated it is just saying she is eligible. and that she did her job required. i feel like sometimes people make a big deal out of nothing here and it can get kinda ridiculous. it does beg the question of how much is creatively belonging to the directors
I feel like the Tony committee is just giving this nomination to Taymor as if it was pity points for working so hard on an unsuccessful production. Like it's the "participation" trophy every kid gets in little-league baseball so no one's feelings get hurt. I'm glad the show made somewhat of a turnaround, but it certainly wasn't due to Taymor's contribution. Break a leg, Taymor, not your cast's legs.
An interesting choice for an award, but congrats for being eligible. After all the news about Spiderman it will be interesting to see if this is an actual nomination for the Tonys and then if she can win. In general seeing how Spiderman does at the Tonys this year should be quite interesting depending on who the contenders are.
I'm done hearing about Julie Taymor, I hope she does not get nominated and heaven forbid if she does, she better not win. The show she directed was terrible, this shouldn't be on the same playing field as The Book of Mormon, La Cage auz Folles, Billy Elliot, South Pacific or Spring Awakening. I think it would be an insult to these directors even for her to be nominated. She is a decent director at least with Lion King but Spider-man 1.0 was terrible and doesn't deserve any awards or special recognitions.
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