A surprise twist for TV special
A surprise challenger infiltrated the musical theater album category when the Grammy nominees were announced Friday: The television special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” starring Sara Bareilles, Alice Cooper and John Legend, landed a nomination next to Tony Award winners “The Band’s Visit,” “Carousel,” “My Fair Lady” and “Once on This Island.”
Long considered Broadway’s Grammy category, the winner is often a cast album for whichever show won the best musical or best musical revival Tony Award. “Dear Evan Hansen” won last year. In 2016, “Hamilton” took the Grammy. Thanks to this year’s twist, the Tonys’ best musical, “The Band’s Visit,” and musical revival, “Once on This Island,” are not exactly shoo-ins for a Grammy win.
Here’s a closer look at the nominees:
“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” was broadcast on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 1, as a staged concert of the cult-favorite rock opera from the 1970s. The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The TV special featured Legend in the titular role, Bareilles as Mary Magdalene and Cooper as King Herod.
“The Band’s Visit” is a musical version of a 2007 Israeli film. The stage adaptation with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Itamar Moses nabbed 10 Tonys. The show — about traveling Egyptian musicians who find unexpected connections in a small Israeli town — was considered a rare bright spot in the Broadway season.
“Once on This Island” was the surprise winner for best revival of a musical this year, emerging victorious over heavily favored classics “Carousel” and “My Fair Lady.” Book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty.
“Carousel” is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s second musical. The 2018 version received 11 Tony nominations, triumphing in one category: performance by a featured actress in a musical (Lindsay Mendez).
“My Fair Lady” was nominated for 10 Tony Awards this year, but won only for costume design (Catherine Zuber). With a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, the musical opened on Broadway in 1956.