Tony fashion
For fun, I watched the Tony Awards last night—which is the only way to keep up with Broadway shows nowadays without taking out a loan.
About the entertainment at the Tonys I have two things to say. The first is that—although I know that the dancers in the wedding scene from “Fiddler” (the present revival) are not really poor Jewish guys from the shtetl, and I know they are all the most polished dancers Broadway money can buy—when they dance with such socko, sell-it, over-the-top Broadway pizzazz, they’re missing the tone and style of the thing. I saw the original production many times, and although the dancers were excellent and of course far better than could be found in any little village way back when, they still preserved a sort of charm and modesty that seemed far more believable and authentic.
But Broadway shows were very very different back then, and in my opinion far better. I can even remember, dinosaur that I am, when the stage wasn’t miked. That wasn’t so completely great because it meant that even a little tyke like me with good hearing would lose some of the words. But that problem was compensated for because what the audience did hear didn’t have that fake quality. These days if I do go to a Broadway show I can close my eyes and believe I’m listening to the recording. That’s not the sound quality I’m looking for in a live show, but I may be in the minority on that.
Second thing I want to mention is that the play “Hamilton”—which I expected to be a travesty—actually looked quite interesting and doesn’t make a mockery of history, as I thought it might.
Now for the important stuff—the women’s fashions. They were very very odd. There was an overabundance of all-over-floral print gowns. It’s not something you ordinarily see, but I guess it must be au courant this year and everybody got the word.
It’s very hard to wear all those flowers, even for beautiful young women. It’s easy to look too much like upholstery or wallpaper. I chose just one of the most sedate examples of the genre, one of the least overpowering. But here she looks like a little girl or a preteen going to a dance:
On to the next one; no flowers here. It’s Cate Blanchett, known for unusual dresses: “I dreamed I went to the Tonys in my Maidenform bra—and a piece of one skirt sewn to a piece of another skirt sewn to a piece of another skirt sewn to an old tablecloth”:
Next—it must be awfully embarrassing to have forgetten to sew those underarm seams. Then again, it probably cuts down on the sweating. And it must be almost as embarrassing as to have had the top made several sizes too small. And yes, I’m well aware it’s purposeful. But unlike most dresses that emphasize the décolletage, this one looks to me like the top of the dress (or maybe jumpsuit?) is too small and she just can’t button it. But she looks defiant:
This is one of the few dresses from the evening that I like. A lot. It reminds me of the night sky:
And here’s a throwback to old-style movie glamor:
I think the above dress is actually a very specific reference to this iconic dress worn by Anita Ekberg in “La Dolce Vita,” 1960:
As to this one—what is happening here? What is happening here? Actually, what isn’t happening here. There’s way too much going on—with the wide diagonal stripes; the drape, the pleats, and the train; and in particular that convoluted stuff that snakes up and down on the bodice:
As for this one, I don’t quite know what to say. A schoolgirl whose mother let her dress herself this morning, with disastrous consequences? She’s even standing like a very young schoolgirl. I think there’s something here I’m not understanding. I think it may be a Japanese thing:
“Hamilton” is a work of pure genius. The author, Lin Manual – Miranda scrupulously followed Ron Chernow’s book. Ron has a cut and was on stage when the award was handed out.
Listen to the cast album.”Helpless” is great. Also some videos on the dancing are on the net.
Disturbed that one of the big stars said he didn’t feel truly American until he did the show. I guess more blacks think like Michelle Obama than I thought.
Who is the blonde bombshell? Yowza.
“Hamilton” is a masterpiece….saw it last October and still get goosebumps when I recall it.
Good god.
The little girl in the plaid flannel doesn’t look very happy about it. Alternate theory: Maybe she had something more normal picked out and is feeling beleaguered because Mommy made her wear this thing?
Me-e-e-o-o-owww!
Lee
I envy you. Twenty years before a movie will be made. Traveling show starts in Chicago next year.
Having seen Hamilton and having previously read the biography which served as its source, the musical is as accurate a representation as one might expect from this genre. To really enjoy the live production, one would not be remiss by getting the soundtrack from Amazon in advance of attendance.
Stu
Cast album is free on Spotify. I listen to it while I am reading the book on Kindle. Half-way through.
I looked at that picture of Keri Russell and did not notice her set of pits.
The first dress could have been a winner if it was floral either on the top only, or the bottom only. Close, so close…
If I were a star, I would have something made similar to older gowns that were pure glamour. Not a direct copy, but a sure nod. Similar to the black dress.
Haven’t seen Hamilton, but what I’ve heard about it sounds encouraging.
I suspect that the show has a lot to do with why the Feds ended up not removing Alexander Hamilton from the ten dollar bill.
Cornhead –
There are issues with alienation and insecurity among many in the minority communities. I suspect that the calls for what basically amount to racial tribalism among minorities aren’t helping matters. I could see someone coming from that background having an awakening of sorts working on a show that ties into the founding of our nation.
I don’t care much for any of the dress/woman combinations, but what do I know? I would like the simple black, if only the girl looked natural. I like natural and excess volume offers little attraction.
I agree about mic’ing up for musicals. Went to the road show of Sound of Music in LA awhile back. The music was still great, and the voices almost overpowering. Throughout I wondered how they would sound naturally. (Saw it the first time in Dallas with Florence Henderson. I don’t recall any need for amplification at all.)
The young woman in the last picture is Tavi Gevinson, now 20 years old, who first came to public notice in 2008 with her blog on fashion, called “Style Rookie”, started when she was around 12. Apparently, she was quite precocious, finding all the clothes on her own, doing her own photography, and exhibiting writing skill well above her age level. Right now, it looks like she is in “The Crucible.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tavi_Gevinson
http://www.thestylerookie.com/
http://www.rookiemag.com/
I guess that makes Ms. Gevinson a real expert on fashion. And for Neo and other bloggers, just stick to it long enough, and then maybe you can be as popular, acclaimed, and successful. Perseverance is sure to pay off, right?
Yankee:
Why on earth would I care if Tavi Gevinson is an expert on fashion? In fact, most of these people are dressed by stylists who are supposedly experts on fashion. Why would that change my mind about anything?
Being an expert on fashion isn’t exactly the same as being an expert on rocket science. Fashion is a matter of fashion and of personal taste.
Or maybe you’re being sarcastic?
Neo, the first paragraph of my post is merely informative, while the second paragraph is meant as a joke. No doubt the limitations of the written format were unable to convey the lighthearted tone that was meant.
It’s funny to see comments about the absurdity of Tavi’s combination of plaids and patterns against that overpowering floral background (because it’s not a great choice for an outfit). Yet in real life, Tavi has made some success for herself in fashion, and now as an actress. And it’s doubly amusing that this all came from a hobby she started as a precocious kid, writing away on her own blog, when many others blog away about their passions and interests, yet may never have a wide readership.
(Humor break) Let’s not forget that it’s also Donald Trump’s birthday tomorrow. Maybe we should do something special to celebrate? Cake and ice cream at Neo’s house? Everyone’s invited! (duck and cover)
I thought the woman in the last picture was Lillian Gish!
BD the resemblance is.striking.
Yankee:
Well, I thought maybe it was humor—but yes, it’s so hard to convey tone without emoticons or the like.
So, Trump hits the big seven-oh tomorrow. Don’t know quite what to say. He doesn’t look a day over 69.
It’s always entertaining to look at what the Fashionistas have cooked up. Though I doubt the Fashionistas would appreciate my laughter.
The frame can make or break a painting. If it becomes obtrusive it distracts. If it is unobtrusive the background intrudes and distracts.
The same can be said of women’s fashions. If the dress becomes the focus you never see the woman. If the dress exposes too much or has unusual devices it does the same. This is difficult for me to describe so I can only cite the example of Audrey Hepburn. Certainly a woman of unusual beauty yet what distinguishes her is her aura of elegance. Her clothing always seemed to be an extension of her, not an extra added attraction.
I think there’s something here I’m not understanding. I think it may be a Japanese thing:
Looks more like a Catholic girl thing.
There’s no bowtie and no tie, and also no sailor blouse thing, and no hair decoration power thing from this angle, and the color of the shirt blouse is um, not quite there.
mikeski: That’s Megan Hilty. She starred in the TV Show Smash about an attempt to bring a musical of Marilyn Monroe’s life to Broadway. (And she’s as talented as she is beautiful)
Thanks Eric. 🙂
The first woman looks to me like Busy Phillips, formerly of the show COUGAR TOWN.
That starry night dress is great from the waist down. The northern bit is more trashy.
Not that I’d advocate going back to the Victorian bustle, but modesty goes a long way in my book.
Said it before; It’s likely the best, the classic was discovered, oh, maybe two thousand years ago,
Since they can’t do the old stuff–it’s been done–they have to do the new stuff, which, by subtraction, means ugly.
The purple and black striped number would have been very nice in a plain solid – with just the folds, the train, and whatever metallic embellishment there is for ornament. And that patchwork get up of Cate Blanchette’s is a horror.\
Just my .02.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a favorite.
Cornhead:
“Disturbed that one of the big stars said he didn’t feel truly American until he did the show.”
That may or may not be a race-based sentiment, but it’s definitely a culture-based sentiment.
Generally speaking, Americans throughout our society are bereft of rituals and rites of passage that meaningfully indoctrinate American civic identity and associated pride.
For my part, I identified as American but I also “didn’t feel truly American” until I indoctrinated as an American soldier.
Acting in “Hamilton” may be a similar formative experience for the actor in a society that otherwise lacks formative civic experiences.
Julie near Chicago:
“The little girl in the plaid flannel doesn’t look very happy about it.”
According to google image search, that’s her standard look.
Keri Russell is a depressing reminder that Mother Nature and Father Time can be unkind. In her day, Russell was on par with Winstead.