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Watching awards shows was a tradition in my house growing up. We didn't have parties, but the Oscars and the Tonys were excuses for my mother to put out plates of cold food -- salamis and cheese, deviled eggs, shrimp with cocktail sauce, and we would eat and talk about the dresses and the shows, and occassionally, just ever so occassionally you got lucky with moments you couldn't believe you were seeing, that reminded you of why you go to the movies, why you go to the theater, and why you, why anyone, would wish to be a part of that world.

This particular Tony Awards has been one hell of a stellar example of that, and I have to say that I'm really moved and floored by so much of it this year -- part of it is the range of shows -- To have Def Poetry Jam and Boheme and Frog and Toad in the same year says not just that that theater is for everyone, but also that you might enjoy the things perhaps least directed at you. And that's gorgeous, as was the kiss from the couple that did Hairspray, Vanessa Redgrave's first Tony, a self-proclaimed 4'11" chubby girl winning, and so much else I'm sure I'm forgetting right now. We very rarely see inclusion without self-conscious, boring and sanitized attempt in America, so I'm a little bit shocked and a hell of a lot optimistic right now.

Also, while I loathe the song New York State of Mind (because anyone who lives here has heard it too often), it felt right that the show opened with that, felt right that this was a really successful Broadway season, felt right that tourists are starting to come back to the city, and starting to because of theater.

And finally, major kudos to everyone who made sure Def Poetry Jam got to perform I Write America, because while the slam medium can drive me up the wall and most political statements are too poorly articulated to be creatively interesting, _that_ was precisely what we needed to hear. Too bad the accoustics weren't better.

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I enjoyed the show, too. And who knew that Hugh Jackman can actually kind of sing? Not me, even though I knew about his forthcoming show.

I want to see Def Poetry Jam now. Next time I'm in town, maybe.

It closed about three weeks ago. I feel really fortunate I go tto see it, as I never would have gone had I not been given tickets, and it was great fun.

Man, I'm so out of the theater loop these days. I think I was more in touch with New York theater when I lived much further away than I do now.

You know, I always wanted to comment on that song ( NY State of mind ) but I found myself rebuffed constantly for liking Billy Joel.

I spent many a long 2 am walk through the city with that song in my walkman, and I am NOT ashamed to say it.

That and riding the Staten ISland Ferry, listening to " Everybody loves you now ".

And when I left NYC, I cranked out " I've loved these days "

I may not be a native NYCer, but I have yet to find anyone who captures it like Joel.

EOF.

I'm so upset about missing DPJ. Not only did I really want to see the-man-who-would-be-Jewel perform, but someone did maybe the poem to which you refer, or one like it at the demonstration in March, and it was really amazing and perfect. *Good* slam poetry, with a point beyond "I'm angry and cooler than you", can be fabulous, if somewhat rare.

He didn't get to do much -- but both when I saw the show, and when they did it last night I really want you to hear that piece -- because it's so good, and even if I could find the words to it online (and I can't) it's the talking over each other effect at the end that makes it work so awesomely.