Wit," "Blast!," Barbra Streisand, Cirque du Soleil's "Dralion" and "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows" were big winners Nov. 4 in the 53rd Annual Emmy Awards, honoring excellence in American television.
The awards were twice delayed due to the terrorist attacks in the United States and the broadcast was peppered with references to the new wartime atmosphere and to those lost in the Sept. 11 attacks. Barbra Streisand sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the end of the show, as a special "surprise," although her appearance had been previously reported. She won an award earlier in the evening but did not pick it up, apparently to not spoil her late evening song.
The TV film adaptation of the Off-Broadway and Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Wit, won Emmys for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Mike Nichols) and Outstanding Made for Television Movie and Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing.
"Peter Pan" starring Cathy Rigby (seen on A&E and drawn from the popular national tour and Broadway revival version of the musical) won an Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program (John Iacovelli, production designer; Aaron King, set decorator).
The PBS production of "Blast!," seen on tour and on Broadway, won an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography (Jim Moore, choreographer; George Pinney, choreographer; Jon Vanderkolff, choreographer). Bravo's presentation of Cirque du Soleil's "Dralion" won Emmys for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special, Outstanding Costumes for a Variety or Music Program (Franbcois Barbeau) and Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program (David Mallett).
"Life with Judy Garland," drawn from the book by Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft, won Emmys for Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Judy Davis) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Tammy Blanchard).
Stage actor Derek Jacobi won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for "Frasier."
The Fox presentation of Barbara Streisand's "Timeless" concert earned conductor Marvin Hamlisch an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction, and Streisand herself an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.
