And the '06 Tony goes to...
And the '06 Tony goes to...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
And the '06 Tony goes to...#0
Posted: 9/28/05 at 1:53am
I just saw what I believe will be a Tony winning performance. I just returned from a preview of PURLIE at the Goodman. There are plans to take this revival to New York. All I can say is Patti, don't write your acceptance speech yet. E. Faye Butler, a Chicago favorite just blew the house away as Aunt Missy. It was one of those rare occasions when an actress can be hysterically funny one moment then turn around and rip your heart out the next. I really believe that she will take some major awards if this moves.
The rest of the show was very enjoyable. Not the strongest book, but some of the numbers are knock outs. The opening, Walk Him Up was particularly fun. Tonight, much to my delight, there were tech problems and they had to start the show over so we were treated to the opening twice. It was even better the second time.
The other performers are all fairly strong. No one was as completely dimensional as Butler, but very consistent and vocally pretty flawless.
In case you were wondering about my record, I believe I said the same thing about Victoria Clark's performance last year when Piazza opened here.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#1
Posted: 9/28/05 at 2:08amPiazza opened in Chi-town? Anyways, is purlie a revival? I mean this show has been done before. its not original?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#2
Posted: 9/28/05 at 2:14amYes, to both questions. Piazza played here before it went to New York and Purlie is a revival of the 1970 musical based on the play Purlie Victorious by Ozzie Davis.
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#3
Posted: 9/28/05 at 2:28amwhat's this 05/06??? there's no such thing. the next tony award season is the 2006 season...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#4
Posted: 9/28/05 at 2:36amOh, picky picky! You know what I mean...
Broadway Star Joined: 1/18/05
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#5
Posted: 9/28/05 at 4:01am
cool thread SueleenGay
thanks for the tip!
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#6
Posted: 9/28/05 at 8:02amWhat'd you think of Paulette Ivory? I LOVED her in Purlie!
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#7
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:04amWell, I'm happy E. Faye Butler is so terrific, but even IF (a big if at this point) PURLIE does make it to Broadway, Aunt Missy is most certainly a Featured role, so Mme. Lupone need not fret from any competition from Butler for the Tony.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#8
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:14am
I thought someone might say that, Margo. Even so, in this production the character is a central focus. So perhaps you are right technically, but you must see this performance.
Chinkie, I think Ivory has a great voice, but her acting was just a little too "ain't I a cute dumb girl?" Lots of attitude, not much heart. Then when she sang her voice was that of a woman trying to get a (well deserved) record deal. It didn't fit with the character.
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#9
Posted: 9/28/05 at 11:20am
Too bad. When Anika Noni Rose played Luttiebelle at the Encores Concert, she was rather lackluster and underpowered.
Where's the next Melba Moore? Marcy Harriell?
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#10
Posted: 9/28/05 at 1:57pm
I saw her perform in the Mamma Mia! tour. She was great.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/05
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#11
Posted: 9/28/05 at 3:09pm
"Chinkie, I think Ivory has a great voice, but her acting was just a little too "ain't I a cute dumb girl?" Lots of attitude, not much heart."
I wouldn't give up on Paulette just yet. She may not have nailed this particular character, but she's won more than her share of great notices and awards, both stateside and on the West End.
"Where's the next Melba Moore? Marcy Harriell?"
Marcy certainly is a worthy sucessor. But so are Renee Elise Goldsberry, Robyn Payne and evne Paulette.
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#12
Posted: 9/28/05 at 3:26pmThe race will be between Patti LuPone, La Chanze and Maria Friedman. The other two slots will be filled by whoever ends up as Lutibelle and whoever plays Babe in Pajama Game.
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#13
Posted: 9/28/05 at 3:40pm
Well, Melba Moore was considered Featured back in 1970. That might also be the case this time around (and there's still no telling whether Purlie will even make it in this season, if at all).
Other potential candidates for Lead: Edie Falco (Jenny in Threepenny Opera); Carolee Carmello (Lestat); Laura Benanti (The Wedding Singer); Jenny Fellner and Donna English (Princesses)
whoever's playing Jane in Tarzan?
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#14
Posted: 9/28/05 at 3:42pmI believe Carmello will be considered Featured. Her role (at least in the books) is small, although pivotal.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#15
Posted: 9/28/05 at 4:07pmMargo: Jenn Gambetese will bw playing Jane. Just FYI.
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#16
Posted: 9/28/05 at 4:09pmOh, that's right. I read that somewhere. Thanks.
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#17
Posted: 9/28/05 at 4:13pm
I really must be the only person who simply can't stand Jenn Gambatese. I guess I can cross Tarzan off my list if she's involved (even though it was never high on my list to begin with).
I'm mostly curious about who they are going to get to play Babe.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/05
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#18
Posted: 10/1/05 at 11:18am
Here's the Chicago Tribune review of Purlie. The notices in both in LA and Chicago seem to be mostly mixed-positive.
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/reviews/critics/mmx-gop21f4t0.9sep27,1,3399959.story
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#19
Posted: 10/1/05 at 12:14pmAnyone else think Maria Friedman for Best Actress
To Kill A Mockingbird
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#20
Posted: 10/1/05 at 1:37pm
i'm thinking maria freidman.
what about that new tony award? who will that go to?
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#21
Posted: 10/1/05 at 2:15pm
I'm very skeptical about A Tale of Two Cities, but it has a big female role in Lucy. But right now it looks like Patti is the woman to beat, mostly because we just don't know who most of her competition is.
I thought of Judy Kaye in Souvenir, but I guess she's a candidate for play, not musical, no?
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#22
Posted: 10/1/05 at 6:51pmthought karen zambia was babe in PJ game
re: And the '05/'06 Tony goes to...#23
Posted: 10/1/05 at 7:02pmKaye will be up for Actress in a Play.
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