There are over one hundred televised award ceremonies each year on American TV. The most popular are the Oscars (I ocassionally watch), The Emmys (never watch), The Grammys (hell no) and The Tonys (ocassionally). These over-rated schlock-fests gather all the luminaries of a particular industry in one room with tuxes and gowns. For the most part, I hate award ceremonies. They always seem slightly unreal. There's an air of self-love that drives me crazy.
Well, here in the Tampa Bay area in the community theater community we have the Larys. Many years ago, a publication called the Grapevine was created to keep members of the theater community involved in local goings-on. It was only natural that the Grapevine would become the central point for an award cermony. For years, the Grapevine has been organizing the Larys (named for the son of the Grapevine's editor). I've attended 5 or 6 ceremonies. I've been nominated and won and lost as an actor, music director, and director. Many people in the community (including many friends) wonder why I'm so ambivalent about them.
Essentially, it boils down to what's important to me. I've been doing theater for a couple of decades now. I don't do it for the honors. Now, I would be dishonest if I said that I don't care whether people enjoy my work or not. But, I take my congratulations (and criticisms) throughout the year with a grain of salt. I know that my work as a music director and director is good but could definitely be improved. I'm striving toward improving it all the time. There are people in the community who need these kinds of accolades much more than I do. And there are many talented and deserving people out there who enjoy the Larys.
When all is said and done, the Larys aren't a critical evaluation by one's peers - and they don't claim to be. In fact, the categories are labeled "Favorite" (as in Favorite Actor in a Leading Role). Well, honestly, I don't care whether I'm the favorite.
Add to this the fact that I'm uncomfortable dressing up and that I'm uncomfortable receiving half-hearted congratulations and greetings from people who really couldn't care less and you'll begin to see why I'm really not interested in the Larys.
I realize that this probably sounds arrogant, but it's the way I feel. Think about it. Whenever you watch one of these things, when the winner is announced, do you ever say, "Oh, I hadn't thought that would be the case - bravo!" No. We already have our minds made up as to who should win. So, in reality, as each category is announced, a few people say, "Yep, that's exactly who should win," while many others say, "No way! Zebediah was robbed!" So, when all is said and done, we've already made up our minds - the award doesn't actually mean anything.
So, that's how I feel. It won't win me any popularity contests - hell, it may even keep me from winning a Lary!
About Me
- jmixont
- I'm a musician/composer/music director/director living in NY. I'll be moving to LA in early '10. I spend my days working on theatrical music and my nights at a theater.
4 comments:
Welcome to the club.
Larys? What's that?
Oh yes, those things where everything I worked on gets nominated except ME these days.
Maybe LARY stands for Losers Always Remind You (that they lost).
And since you asked for spelling errors, occasionally is TWO C's and ONE S... just so's ya know.
Agreed. WAY too much is invested in those things.
P.S. Miss ya <3
Listen, my awards are in a box in my mother's garage and every time I come home and I see she has snuck them out and displayed them, I throw them right back and place them on a high shelf so she can't get to them.
I do agree with you....however, I do have to say, People look for that acceptance and the award itself. They rely on this one moment of acceptance. I am guilty of that, however, It is all a mindset, (you know this) and from time to time mindsets are forced to change....Forced to change....
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