Wait! No, That's not right. There should be no controversy about what is the best Tony Award performance to date. It was a tour de force. Michael Bennett - again - restages a now iconic moment from his show. At the time, the show was the most expensive Broadway production, primarily due to the technology of automated moving light standards, which gave the play a cinematic feel. And the show was placed on the shoulders of a young diva, who was fired at least once during the development process. The young diva whose talent caused the entire second act to be rewritten to include her character. A young diva whose talent and emotion and drive was never more evident than in how she performed on the Tony Awards. I'm not certain this performance can ever be matched - especially as it was performed live. No second chances. No editing. No playback. And, yes, she won the Tony Award for her performance. But, the show got "Tuned" as Tommy Tune opened his new show "Nine" on the last day of eligibility and it went on to win the award for Best Musical. But, there's no question that Bennett's show has had a more lasting impression (and a more successful film adaptation) So, here are Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Deborah Burrell, Obba Babatunde, Cleavant Derricks, Ben Harney and..... Jennifer Holliday as Effie White in
DREAMGIRLS - my pick for the best Tony Award performance.
And there really is not much more to say. I have to go breathe.
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