I'll never get tired of stating the obvious. The year Orfeh didn't get an extremely well deserved Tony nod for SNF is the same year Spanger didn't get one for KMK and Sherie Scott for Aida. The very year Contact (the "musical" with canned music, no dialogue, etc...) was not only nominated, but shockingly, won, along with nominees in "acting" categories who never sang a note or uttered a word of dialogue. It seems that either the entire nominating committee was on drugs in 1999, or as I have long suspected, is (and has long been), void of any discernable taste or sense. And as much as everyone now loves Benanti, SWING (another terrible show) was one of her all time most lackluster performances. Far from Tony nomination worthy, especially considering the far better competition.
This season, on the other hand, is shaping up to be 180 deegrees opposite of that one. This season, there are shows and slots filled by nominees that wouldn't have stood a chance in better seasons. Alas, Spanger got shafted yet again.
Sherie Rene Scott-Aida Marin Mazzie-Kiss Me,Kate Tonya Pinkins for Caroline or Change, or Donna Murphy for Wonderful Town. Bernadette Peters-Sunday In The Park With George Jane Krakowski-Grand Hotel Anita Morris-Nine (based on recording)
This might be unusual but I have always been a big fan of the original Sally Bowels, Jill Haworth. I feel that Harold Prince saw talent in her to portray and create this heroine, as both a great singer but more importantly, tragic, which to me Liza never does. So I think she should have at least been nominated, and yes even should have won over Barbara Harris, who should have won for On A Clear Day
Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters for Sunday
I am also suprised people are saying Terrance Mann over Colm Wilkinson
Not to put too fine a point on it but Lisa Brescia doesn't really apply to this thread. I think it's about people originating roles they would have been eligible to win a Tony for.
