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Helen Shaw: Hello Chris!
I am watching a television channel for, possibly, the first time in ten years?
HS: What are your expectations for this evening?
CM: If this event doesnt singlehandedly save the theater industry, Ill be severely disappointed.
Like the time I went to seeIf/Thenfor my 21st birthday and Idina Menzel was out sick.
The show begins with …Jersey Boys?
CM: I cant believe were starting withJersey Boys.
Has anyone thought of Jersey Boys in the last five years?
HS: Pretty baby, whoisgoing to help you through the night?
The answer is this show, full of extremely high singing.
CM: This isMacys Thanksgiving Day Parade-level performance, which is not a compliment.
I expected something a little more exciting than the sameJersey Boysmedley that weve seen since 2005?
HS: Didnt you read Chris Bonanossvery fine analysisof the death spiral New York City is heading into?
Appropriate, then, to remind us we can all move to … Jersey.
CM: I am from Jersey!
It has its moments.
Thank you Tina, I loved you inThe Crown.
CM: Okay, Nathan Lane did make me laugh with thatThe Crownjoke.
Wow, also hes done 23 Broadway shows.
That is pretty insane.
HS: Time to room rate Nathan Lane.
Im giving points for the cozy fire.
Now hes holding up the BCEFA red bucket, which gives me a pang.
Nathan Lane owning two SceneIts?
Iconic.pic.twitter.com/6Ufl8tZBMa
CM: God, I miss those little red buckets.
HS: We now get some lovely close harmony work from theAint Too Proudfolks.
This could work as a whole show.
CM: Kelly Clarkson singing White Christmas is sort of Broadway-ish?
Its definitely Broadway adjacent.
HS:White Christmaswas on Broadway in 2008!
I did not see it.
Like down to her vocal stylings and her dress and the piano and the microphone and the song choice.
CM: But look at this clip package!
This is what I tuned in for, to see Mary Louise Parker by a fireplace!
To see Sutton Foster with no makeup on talking about previews!
CM: Tina Fey feels like someone is making her do this at gunpoint to be honest.
(As theMean Girlsensemble sings Stupid With Love, which takes place in a math class.)
Still confused as to whatMean Girlsconsiders music.
I mean the truth is I would see any of these shows right now.
The line I am filled with calcu-lust would rock me in my seat.
I would knock over other peoples drinks.
CM: I would buy one of those $45 double things of wine gladly.
He looked like hed been robbed.
It doesnt cost that much on thespace station, he whispered.
Brittney Mack from the cast ofSixfinding out shes not gonna get her opening night heartbreaking.
HS: Rob McClure talking about when they heard the dreaded words: Leave everything where it is.
Measure your lives in love, theatre lovers!#Broadwaywill be back.
But perhaps it would be nice to find out who these people are.
Like arent we celebrating the actual humans who can sing like this?
CM: This is the essence of New York theater.
HS: Then a clip of Blair Underwood telling us about seeingDreamgirls.Wandering around backstage with stars in his eyes.
Why does this twist my little heart?
HS: When I was a little girl, I did not get glasses for … too long.
Like I was fully quite old and still utterly blind.
HS: Barbra Streisand is singing People!
Barbra gets a stage, gets a big old orchestra.
Wait, why are there people in a room?
God, all those unmasked people are giving me the terrors.
CM: Loving this mini Barbra documentary.
She deserves it honestly.
Good use of the evening.
HS: Now she is doing a little ad for Broadway Cares, this is all very good.
I wonder where the people who actually do pro-shoots are tonight.
HS: I also wonder what the power struggles were like about who gets included.
Are the big producers not playing?
But heres the cast ofJagged Little Pill!Lauren Pattensinging You Oughta Know dead into the camera.
And right now, I fully bought that.
HS: Yes, accurate.
Get the singer right next to the camera.
Let her lungs come right through your screen.
Other camera people take notes!
This makes the case for coming and hearing this stuff in person.
So far I would sayJagged Little Pillis treating this even the most seriously.
Major lighting use … making their case for the Tonys.
We got nominated for 15 Tonys!
CM: Im buying what theyre selling.
Wonder how they were able to maneuver two performances and/or if any other shows will get the same treatment.
Im starting to feel bad for all the plays that simply … cant do this.
I would love to seeSlave Plays six-minute medley.
HS: If Laurie Metcalf isnt standing on a median doingWhos Afraid of Virginia Woolf,Im out.
Now Tina is talking about the much-anticipated musicalDiana.
We’re loving this sneak peek from@DianaOnBroadway!
@thebigdewaal#BestOfBroadway@nbcpic.twitter.com/NrSBFb6rWY
CM: This song is basically the whole fourth season ofThe Crown.
HS: AnotherMean Girlsnumber, coincidentally written by our host and member of the NBC family!
Shouldnt they be dropping their venmo handles so I can support them?
HS: kindly welcome Brett Eldridge.
Hes going to sing Oh What a Beautiful Mornin fromOklahoma!
?DAMON DAUNNO ERASURE.
CM: Im confused.
Was Damon Daunno not tech-available for this?
This seems like a missed opportunity to show how sexy Broadway can be.
HS: This plus the Kelly Clarkson performance makes me think they are trying to expand the target audience.
And now were back toChicago.
Im telling you, this is a very tour-friendly series of choices of shows.
Nothing that doesnt have a place at the Starlite in Kansas City.
HS: And shes great but nameless, of course.
(Its NaTasha Yvette Wiliams, not that they tell you that.)
CM: A recurring theme!
Maybe we could do bigger chunks?
HS: Antonio Banderas is hustling for his production ofA Chorus Linein Spain I embrace that.
He loves this show so deeply.
CM: God,A Chorus Lineis a perfect show and One is a perfect musical theater song.
It cant be improved.
And now heres Patti LaBelle!
I mean shes singing The House I Live In which is from a revue.
CM: Another legendary singer singing something that is simply not musical theater.
That green jacket is screaming Elphaba.
Sing Defying Gravity next!
Okay I take that back.
Patti LaBelle is clearly a Glinda.
The is performing.#BestOfBroadwaypic.twitter.com/riOWRhS6tL
HS: I used to have glassware in my house.
But it is a righteous sacrifice.
NINE MINUTES TO GO.
CM: How will it end?
How could they possibly top Patti LaBelles high note?
I dont hate that at all.
HS: AndJagged Little Pillgets the out.
Here comes Lauren again.
I am literally in my Ars Nova wool beanie believing that I look like Lauren Patten.
I look like a cold old woman.
CM: You are absolutely the Lauren Patten of your apartment right now.
Like down to the staging.
CM: Hey this is theater; were on a budget.
Im singing along and actually falling in love with Elizabeth Stanley in real time right now.
Thats the power of live theater.
HS: Man, these actors are touching more people than I have touched in six months.
CM: Okay, I fully got chills.
At that last beat.
God, 2020 is so messed up.
HS: Chris, thats our kicker.
