Ragtime vs. The Lion King

[ceebeegee]

Proposition:

The Lion King definitely deserved the Tony for Best Musical that year, since (IMO) it was the better-directed, tighter, more theatrically overwhelming piece of musical theater. (When the audience started applauding during the "Circle of Life" number, I knew right then which show would win. That number works beautifully, I wept when I finally saw the show.)

However, Ragtime should've won the Pulitzer, since it's a great example of American playwriting and tells its story better (better score, better book) than TLK. (I have no idea what won the Pulitzer that year, just saying I think Ragtime should've gotten that award instead of the Tony).

Thoughts?

Comments

[dry-2olives.livejournal.com]

I believe the Tony for Best Musical should be based on the book, music and lyrics because that's what fills the blank page and when the production closes that's all you have left for the next production. The award for best director is the one that honors the production as a whole.

And I hated the fact that the audience was applauding all throughout The Circle of Life. It's the song that sets the theme of the play and I couldn't hear any of the lyrics because Julie Taymor seemed to think that parading her costumes around and getting applause was more important than the text.

[king-duncan.livejournal.com]

Columbia University, on the recommendation of The Pulitzer Prize Board, annually awards a Pulitzer Prize in drama of $10,000 "for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life."

I think because it was an adaptation, it was less likely to be considered.

Doctorow himself has won two Pulitzers, for his novels Billy Bathgate and The March, but not for Ragtime.