Now that his name is gaining recognition in the US from Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers and the future Wicked movie, I would think producers would reach out (although he's obviously busy). He recently did Cock in London, and I was hopeful it would transfer, but no. He's such a talent, and clearly loves theater, so I'm hopeful it'll happen sooner than later.
Wick3 said: "Yeah had he done the same role on Broadway for COMPANY, he would have most likely won the Tony for Best Featured Actor. So for people who saw both, what was the biggest difference between his performance & Matt Doyle's?
I’m bummed there’s no cast album or pro shot of his Last Five Years with Samatha Barks. It’s not one of my favorite shows but I like what I’ve heard of his work on the songs.
I saw the Bailey and Barks production and was not impressed. She was just coming off of Les Miz and was the main draw. Had no idea who he was (may not have been a name at the time even in the UK). Either way, it was really forgettable.
Considering how close that production and the Second Stage production of Last Five Years were (the latter getting a recording), I really don't see why a new recording would have been issued. I'll never forget the Kantor/Wolfe production, while Bailey and Barks left me very flat.
I saw both and all I can really remember is how adorable Bailey was and how he turned beet red while singing Getting Married Today and completely brought the show to a stop.
I think Doyle was technically ‘better’ but Jonathan Bailey had that kind of star stage presence and looks that more than made up for it and he is the only other person besides Patti I wish they had transferred.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I saw both Bailey and Doyle and preferred Bailey's take on it. Somehow Bailey made it seem more natural but both actors did a great job. I really hoped Bailey would transfer to Broadway but during pandemic recognized he was on Bridgerton! So happy for him. I can see him being above-the-title whenever he debuts on Broadway.
Last night, Jonathan Bailey won the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for Showtime's ''Fellow Travelers.'' He thanked Matt Bomer, who played his lover through the decades, and writer Ron Nyswaner. Plus, he paid tribute to the LGBTQ+ people ''who have always existed.'' And he wrapped up by thanking his 93-year-old grandma ''who took me to theater when I was 5, and gave me a vocation, and watched 'Fellow Travelers' to the climax.''
I'd like to see him on Broadway, but still think his name means very little to the general buying public. Trying to think of someone of similar name value... Grant Gustin? (whose name isn't even mentioned in the WFE direct mail piece. so much for the allegations that he might give them a box office bump) or Russell Tovey? or Imogen Poots? or Emma Mackey?
The main difference between Matt and Jonathan's Jamies was one could hold his American accent the full show and the other couldn't. Otherwise, very interchangeable performances.
I'd like to think he'd be a draw on Broadway. Will he a "superstar" draw? No. Audiences are more scattered then they used to be. But he had no problem keeping audiences coming to C*ck when Taron Egerton dropped out a few weeks into the run. And he's developing a name with Fellow Travelers, which I'm sure will lead to an Emmy win in September. Sometimes just that name recognition is enough to get people's attention to think about purchasing, if not breaking down Telecharge with demand.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008