2007 Leading Actor in a Musical Tony Nominee Contenders- Page 2

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:31pm

Thank you. It's comments like that which make people think we're all thoughtless idiots and lump everyone together with derogatory names.

Updated On: 11/19/06 at 12:31 PM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:56pm

Seeing as his show is not a one man show, and there is original music, could Martin Short's show be a contender in musical and acting categories, thus putting Short neck and neck w/Raul?

[Revolutionary]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:57pm

Em, your third to last comment really made me laugh. You're cute.

Just wanted to say that.

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:59pm

Definetely Gavin Lee

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 1:11pm

I haven't seen Spamalot, it doesn't interest me enough to want to spend much money on it, but I would think that Hank Azaria probably more naturally belonged in featured, yet he got nominated for leading and Esparza didn't for what was indisputably the leading role.

Of course, I realize that Spamalot was a big hit (though not as big as it looked to many at the time) and Chitty was not, not to mention that it was in no way a prestige show.

And I do agree that there probably were other factors at work in LuPone and Cerveris not winning for Sweeney, if less so for Feliciano (who I just wasn't as impressed by as many were).

Still, while I think that Esparza is almost guaranteed a nomination, I don't see that Tony voters are going to necessarily feel it's his year to win over strong competition unless the consensus is that his performance is really extraordinary. And that may end up being the consensus, but at the moment we don't know that it will be. It won't be long before we do know.

But even if he gets ecstatic reviews, I think Hyde Pierce and Lee are still likely to be strong contenders (though we obviously won't know for a while if Hyde Pierce will get as good reviews here as he did in LA).

One thing that is true is that many times Tony voters have seemed to reject the idea that someone deserves to win on the basis of good work over a period of time. And though Esparza has done a great deal of well-received work over the last few years, I don't think anyone's going to think, "Oh, this might be his last chance to win, we better give it to him."

And that thinking, as I said, often doesn't work with Tony voters anyway. Ask Lois Smith and John McMartin.

In any case, the Tony committee is so unpredictable even about nominations. Ask Jeff McCarthy and Nathan Lane.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 1:32pm

I agree that the Spamalot category split was weird, but I suppose that since it was such a big commercial show, promoting as many celebrities as possible as leads was a good opportunity to better chances for a win.

I think if Raul's competition includes a lot of celebrity, (DHP and Martin Short, namely) that's going to make it a bit more interesting. The fact that he is young may not work in his favor, because he'll have many more chances, even if the consensus does end up being regarding Bobby as the performance of his career. So I agree with the idea that while it could be looked at as an award for good work over a long period of time and that that could be a big factor, it could work the other way because he's only what, thirty-six?

Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed. I think he does outstanding work.

Updated On: 11/19/06 at 01:32 PM

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 2:02pm

Yeah, Short is surely a strong contender for a nomination, though he won't win. Though I shouldn't say that, there have been occasions when the voters have come up with real shockers. Just last year, hardly anyone thought Christian Hoff was going to win.

I would bet that the Curtains people will make sure that everyone realizes that DHP more than paid his dues as a New York stage actor before Frasier.

One thing in Esparza's favor is that the voters often do seem to like to reward up-and-comers, which he might still be viewed as being.

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 2:30pm

But Michael Arden should just get a Tony for being so gosh darn adorable! If he gets nominated I will laugh. Just like how I laugehd at the Wedding Singer.
I want Alexander Gemignani to win a Tony. His performance was so amazing, and as the playbill says, he looks strong enough to lift the barricades.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 2:57pm

As far as Patrick Page goes, I have a feeling that the Grinch will be considered a special theatrical event, not a musical, taking Page out of the running.

[JB Fan]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 4:13pm

"Just last year, hardly anyone thought Christian Hoff was going to win"

Who are you referring to? I think the Tony voters thought differently.

If you are basing your thoughts on BWW's fanbase, then you are not really looking at the entire theatre community, who really did love Jersey Boys.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 4:26pm

I don't think the comment was a slam on the show at all, but rather just to say that Hoff barely looked like the front-runner in the months leading up to the awards -- no matter how well-recieved the show was.

Updated On: 11/19/06 at 04:26 PM

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 4:29pm

Most people/critics predicted Jim Dale would win in the Best Featured Actor category last year, Hoff was a surprise.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 4:37pm

If Martin's nominated, I think he's the closest bet to a winner at this moment. He got very good reviews and very few people have actually disliked his show, thus far. I'm surprised it's still around, to be honest, but he does work his tail off.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 5:06pm

"Who are you referring to? I think the Tony voters thought differently."

Wow. You think so?

As LuvtheEmcee and FoscasBohemianDream seem to have understood with no problem, what I wrote was in no way a slam on Hoff or Jersey Boys. It is simply a fact that few if any of the major pundits, and not many posters on the various theatre boards, predicted Hoff as the winner. And my point was that the voters obviously did. I in no way implied that he didn't deserve to win. I didn't see enough of last season's nominees to even have an opinion.

[JB Fan]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 5:09pm

I never took it as a slam. I guess my point was, if you came looking for the predictions to BWW, Mano was the front-runner.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 7:02pm

Sorry that I misinterpreted you. I was thinking mostly of the various theatre pundits' predictions and the poll in the Times of supposedly knowledgeable people, which did tend to go to Dale.

[PJMPirate]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 7:16pm

Though I understand why, I'm kind of disappointed that Patrick Page probably won't be recognized. He really carried that show.

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 7:26pm

I really think that Will Chase can get a Tony nomination. His performance in High Fidelity is amazing, and I think he's the best part (next to the sets) of the musical. I will be very upset if he doesn't get a nomination.

I really think that Martin Short can get nominated, and possibly win. I think this Tony "race" is going to be amazing this year, with very talented actors nominated. Updated On: 11/19/06 at 07:26 PM

[wendy kroy]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 7:35pm

Martin Short's show is a dark horse but still strong. It is amazing but I think Martin may possibly get nominated and win. He is UNBELIEVABLE in the show. He is not to be missed. It is astounding.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 7:38pm

From all the bad buzz associated with High Fidelity , it'd be a surprise if Will Chase got a nomination. My money and hopes are on David Hyde Pierce who provides one of the funniest and enthusiastic performances I have ever seen on the stage in Curtains .

[focusingonmoviesmatt]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:15pm

If Fame becomes me is considered in the a special theaterical experience category, martin short wouldn't be considered.

[overthemoon419]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:19pm

Will Chase is nothing short of phenomenal in High Fidelity. If he doesn't get a nomination, then I'll lose my last shred of interest in the TONYS.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:44pm

sorry Updated On: 11/19/06 at 11:44 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:46pm

All this speculation is a bit early but not toatlly out of line because a lot of the shows coming in have been seen Out of town or Off Broadway.

What no one has mentioned is the politics of the awards.
Michael Cervaris is well liked in the Theare world and if his show is any good he is certainly a force to be reckoned with and after losing to that little falsetto guy last year, he certainly has a sympathy effect going on (not that his talent needs it).

I can't see MARTIN SHORT... being a "special event" because of the size of the cast, original music and book. And Martin too is very well liked, so don't count him out.

Gavin Lee got amazing revues and is the real deal as far as Musical Comedy Triple Threats go, so he too can't be counted out.

Esparza will certainly get a nomination, Bobby is a difficult role to sing and act and He certainly has the talent to spare.
On the other hand, he is not the most liked performer on Broadway.
His unprofessionalism on Taboo (not that I blame him) and his lack of interest during CHITTY do not bode well for him.
if Talent was all he would be hard to beat, but...

The actor with everthing going for him is Hyde Pierce, loaded with talent, well known, well liked, "all the gifts"

But surprises are always fun too and there could be someone out there in a show we don't know about or even mentioned for Braodway this season.

If THE TIMES.. had a longer run and been better received, Arden would certainly be a contender (His time will definitely come)
Will Chase is also great but the show looks to disapoint so he is an outsider at this point.

I think the young actor from SPRING AWAKENING, Jonathon Groff would be fun to see in this category.
And the Actor who will play Starbuck in 110 (I don't know his name, shame on me)could also have a chance.

I almost forgot, D'Arcy James is no sloutch either.

All in All a terrific race is starting to heat up.
Updated On: 11/20/06 at 11:46 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:51pm

Since when do people get Tonys for being nice? No, it's not all talent, either, but an over-publicized argument blown out of proportion two years ago isn't going to cheat one of our best actors out of an award. That's not even politics, that's BS. I would say more, but I, unlike you, don't make a habit of posting backstage stories to toot my own horn about how I'm so in the know.

The all-knowing CPD has spoken, apparently.

PS, "the young actor from Spring Awakening" doesn't really narrow it down much. Of course, your double post cleared up the confusion.

Updated On: 11/19/06 at 11:51 PM