Maria Friedman, not that there was any doubt she'd get nominated. I have such vivid memories of seeing her Huntington production back in 2017 and thinking it was a shame a production that good wasn't playing in New York. She took a "shambles" that lasted on Broadway for 16 regular performances and made it sublime. Took a minute to get here, but we finally got her magnificent production. So much of Merrily's redemption arc is a result of her decade plus of work to crack this show, and I'm over the moon for her!
She was my first Elphaba when I was a teenager (2004 I think?) when she did a small stint in San Francisco before she took over the role on broadway, and I've been obsessed ever since. I know the show is cringe and she's almost certainly not gonna win, but my inner 14 year old is jumping with joy.
I was one of the first to predict ( in the Vanya thread) a nomination for William Jackson Harper in Uncle Vanya who gave a charismatic performance. I am so happy to see that my prediction come true.
Jonathan Groff is giving probably my favorite musical performance of the season, and possibly one of the best I've seen in a long time and I'm thrilled he was recognized with a nomination. I'm very hopeful that this is finally his time, it will be well-deserved.
Also very pleased by Joshua Boone's nomination, saw The Outsiders again over the weekend and he's just explosive up on that stage.
I have not (yet) seen any of the nominated shows (the most recent show I saw/only one I've seen so far from this season was How To Dance In Ohio closing weekend) but I'm absolutely thrilled for Suffs, especially for Shaina Taub. She's from my state (Vermont) and performed in a few shows as a child/teen with the community theatre group I now volunteer with, as well as having attended the high school where I've had a choir rehearsal and performance, so I feel a bit of a personal connection for that reason. The show is at the top of my list to see on my next trip!
you found your heart but left a part of you behind <3
getatme said: "Jonathan Groff is giving probably my favorite musical performance of the season, and possibly one of the best I've seen in a long time and I'm thrilled he was recognized with a nomination. I'm very hopeful that this is finally his time, it will be well-deserved.
Also very pleased by Joshua Boone's nomination, saw The Outsiders again over the weekend and he's just explosive up on that stage."
I am just happy to see people like Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Betsy Aidem getting their flowers, two prolific actresses Off-Broadway finally getting their moment.
On a similar note, Kecia Lewis, Eden Espinosa, and Leslie Rodriguez-Kritzer are stage veterans very deserving of this first nomination.
Oh positive! I'm guilty of grumbling and complaining, as a huge classical music nerd smack in the middle of two generations that care very little about it and a theatre world drifting further and further away from the tradition that started it. Buuuut I love the Tonys! And I love Broadway.
So here's my favorite nomination:
Maria Friedman for Merrily!
I considered a lot of things, but really it is just so great for me to see her in this category. I think everybody knew she'd get a nomination, but I love seeing women nominated for things like direction and other major creative categories. And Merrily is probably my favorite show I have ever seen on Broadway so that helps. Going back next month. I dunno, it's so hard between Merrily, John Cameron Mitchell in Hedwig, and Alfie Boe in La Boheme. Both of those shows won special Tonys. They should give Merrily a Special Tony. The "It's a Hit!" award.
LuckyDipster said: "I was at work and I actually jumped for joy when Roger got his nomination because I adore that man so much. I guess you all think I'm nuts. Whatever. That man's work makes me very happy and it makes a lot of BTTF fans very happy. At the end of the day, Radcliffe is going to win and I won't be mad about it because I thought he was fantastic in Merrily."
I was very glad Roger Bart got a nomination, but y'know he's already won before and one win is always enough. But it is nice! I love Roger Bart very much. ... Now not quite as much as Chip Zien, and that was the real tragedy.
While it was widely predicted Sarah Pidgeon would get in, I was thrilled to see Juliana Canfield nominated as well. She gave an amazing performance and her scene with Sarah near the end was a highlight in a show filled with highlights.
BeingAlive44Ever said: "I was very glad Roger Bart got a nomination, but y'know he's already won before and one win is always enough. But it is nice! I love Roger Bart very much. ... Now not quite as much as Chip Zien, and that was the real tragedy."
I guess I'm just all caught up in the excitement of it all because before February of last year I hadn't heard of the man. This means I didn't get to experience his first win (or second nomination) in real time. Although I know precious little about Chip, I do feel for him, constantly being overlooked. I realise that Roger is old news to everyone here, but to me he is something new.
LuckyDipster said: "I guess I'm just all caught up in the excitement of it all because before February of last year I hadn't heard of the man. This means I didn't get to experience his first win (or second nomination) in real time. Although I know precious little about Chip, I do feel for him, constantly being overlooked. I realise that Roger is old news to everyone here, but to me he is something new."
See that makes a lot more sense. When I first got into Broadway, Roger was always there. I mean, what could be more iconic than Hercules or The Producers? So I've always known him. And his Snoopy is an inspiration to me. I love that role more than most. I would say it's easily one of my top five favorite roles, and his performance is one of my top five favorite featured performances ever, and that cast album has gotta be one of my favorite cast albums ever, right up there with Into the Woods OBC, Falsettos 2016, Hedwig Original Cast, and Sunday OBC.
Jonathan Groff, of course! He's a proud Central Pennsylvanian like me, and I am so happy to see his continued success on stage and screen! Now, he needs to bring it on home!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Dylan Smith4 said: "Jonathan Groff, of course! He's a proud Central Pennsylvanian like me, and I am so happy to see his continued success on stage and screen! Now, he needs to bring it on home!"
As far as I'm concerned, he's a front runner for this award. God is he ever great in Merrily. Probably his best and most subtle performance yet.