I was in college that season, and saw all the Best Musical nominated musicals. To me, at the time, HALLELUJAH BABY was clearly the most deserving winner. As others have pointed out, it wasn't a particularly strong season. Melina Mercouri was the big attraction to ILLYA DARLING, but it wasn't a very good show otherwise. I thought HOW NOW was entertaining but not distinguished in any way. I always liked
THE HAPPY TIME; Goulet's Tony winning performance was excellent; I'm still today fond of the Kander and Ebb score, and the show had
a sentimental warmth. While Champion's direction and choreography did win Tonys, that aspect of the show had some very mixed reviews; if I remember correctly, there was some criticism in particular of a second act ballet sequence. And, in spite of my own reactions at the time to the overall show, it isn't perfect by any means. HALLELUJAH BABY was more bold, at least attempted to deal with social issues, had a fine score, and, of course, the glowing Leslie Uggams performance. It also had some sizzle that the other shows lacked. As has been noted, it wasn't a strong season over all. There are few if any other seasons in which HALLELUJAH would have been the Tony winner, and it almost won by process of elimination, with HAPPY TIME being the only other semi viable option. |
