Featured Actress is one of the hardest categories to predict nominations or winners. I could've never predicted that the bland Rebecca Luker would get nominated over Erin Davie, Heather Laws, and Barbara Walsh. Many people thought Kerry Butler and Laura Benanti would get nominated in 2003 and both were snubbed. Karen Ziemba's nomination for NEVER GONNA DANCE is still a bit baffling to me, especially considering that year Ann Harada and especially Chandra Wilson and Veanne Cox gave brilliant performances and were not nominated. Don't even get me started about Cyndi Lauper's lack of Tony nod for THREEPENNY OPERA. Those are just the most recent cases I can think of about great performances not getting nominations. Predicting a frontrunner at this stage in the game is simply pointless, there is not such thing.
Does Sherie Rene Scott deserve a Tony? Without a doubt. I'd give her a Tony for being Sherie, period. I certainly hope this is her year. However, the competition is strong, perhaps too strong. You have Sutton Foster and Andrea Martin going for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (from info I've gathered from people involved, Mullally is being pushed for leading lady, we'll see what happens), both incredibly beloved actress, one of them has always been nominated (and won once) whenever she has originated a major role on Broadway, the latter was singled out in the Seattle reviews as one of the best reasons to see the show.
Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa both got raves for XANADU, even critics who hated the show loved these two.
Leslie Kritzer is a fabulous actress who is hot-ish now, expect her to get a nod for A CATERED AFFAIR if the show lives up to its expectations.
Lauren Kennedy, Kara Lindsay, and Ramona Keller all have featured roles in LONE STAR LOVE and will be competition (not sure about Keller since she has a small role but still).
Harriet Harris who already won a Tony in this category will be heading to Broadway with CRY BABY.
That's only the new shows, let's not even get started with the revivals.
The options are endless really. I want Sherie to win because I'm a fan but the competition this year is quite strong.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
