2005 DRAMA DESK Nominations - Reactions??? — Page 5

That's what I'm saying, Bobby. He CAN do it because he has all of that talent, but it's not the right material for him to be finding a perfect fit. I don't think that all "traditional" musical theatre is the wrong route for him - which also depends on how you define more traditional, really. I mean, he does Sondheim well, which is far more "traditional" than something like Taboo or Tick, Tick... BOOM! or anything pop-ish. Then there's Cabaret - that's "traditional." I guess the key to the problem with him in Chitty is the fluff factor, and this "family-friendly" business. He can act like the oddball, sing and dance until the proverbial cows come home, but this fatherly, toned down thing that completely lacks any edge - aside from what he's desperately trying to squeeze in there- isn't his strong suit. That's just not him.

So in short, I think we're agreeing.

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Updated On: 4/28/05 at 02:18 PM

I think Raul thrives when he is able to take risks. And I imagine and can almost guarantee, that the director of Chitty did not allow him to take such risks.

For Morrison's sake, he should be nominated in the Featured category come Tony time. That is, if he wants to have a chance of winning. Now that Pierce and Azaria are eligible for Lead, he has a greater chance in the feature category.

His strongest competition in the featured category is likely to come from the Spelling Bee boys and from Christian Borle, who would certainly gain momentum by winning this Drama Desk.

What I mean Emcee is the way Esparza may want to play the role a certain way, but the production and director may be preventing him from doing so. But yeah, he just doesn't seem suited to this sort of thing. Maybe he needed the money, or perhaps, wanted to stretch himself beyond what he would normally be cast in.

I for one, would love to see him tackle drama again. His performance in Normal Heart is one of the best things I have ever seen on stage. The entire audience was in tears. Amazing.

If Morrison is indeed featured, I'd say He, Fogler, and O'Hare are locks. Leaving a 4th and 5th spot, likely to be filled by Borle and Kudisch.

I'd wait on Morrison until the Tony committee decides on his role's place. For now, I'd be saying look for locks from Fogler andperennial favorite O'Hare, but don't knock Jesse Tyler Ferguson out.
If Morrison is a featured role, that's a lock for him (not a lock if they go with lead; in fact, I think he won't get one then).
At that point, I'm almost willing to call Borle a lock too, which means 4 slots are definite locks: Fogler, O'Hare, Borle and Morrison
Given the big roles who are left: Kudisch, Ferguson, Sieber, McGrath (don't forget him!), I'd probably go with Ferguson.

I'm not so sure of a lock for Borle and about the only good things I've heard about Chitty are Kudisch and Maxwell, so I'd lay my money on them for nominations. Folger seems, from what I heard more likely than Ferguson, but you never know. I'm surprised Kevin Cahoon hasn't gotten more buzz, as I've heard he's quite good. Personally, I'd like to see it go to O'Hare for being the best thing about "Sweet Charity" or to Morrison who I couldn't belive was the same guy who played Link Larkin.

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Updated On: 4/28/05 at 02:41 PM

The saving grace of Chitty is the entire cast, specifically the featured roles. Maxwell and Kudisch are excellent (but you have to hand it to Maxwell, who steals the entire show) but Chip Zien and Robert Sella are EXCELLENT in their bizarre role of scene-change villains. Kevin Cahoon is not going to be a strong contender simply because the role shows up too late and he has one VERY bizarre song to sing. It's creepy and good but nothing special.

The guys in Spelling Bee have great material and much larger and fun roles.

No John Lithgow, no Tim Curry, no James Earl Jones, no Natasha Richardson? Is this a joke?

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Given that this is also off-Broadway, I don't think it will serve as much prediction for the Tony's.

For those shocked by the ommission of Lithgow, Curry, and Beach, did you really think they'd be nominated? Lithgow and Curry are fine - nothing special, and Beach (in my opinion) is bad.

What shocked me are all the Altar Boyz nominations - truly undeserving, in my opinion.

Where is PACIFIC OVERTURES?
Where the f*ck is Natasha Richardson?
I'm very happy for Laura Linney, because I think she's one of the best living actors today, but I am very upset that Richardson was not recognized.

I am a little surprised, yet overjoyed, that Adriane Lenox was remembered for DOUBT over Goldenhersh. Not to stub Goldenhersh, but if only one of them was going to make the cut, I'm ecstatic that it was Lenox.

Yay for Jan Maxwell, who I would give the award to hands down in a heartbeat!

Haha for Sarah Ramirez, who is funny but as far as a meritable performance? Hardly.

I guess some of the nominations are disappointing, but with so many off-Broadway nods this year, I'm glad they get to shine here since they aren't contendors for the Tony's.

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Wow these nominees are SO much better than the OCCs