Harvey Fierstein for HAIRSPRAY
Patti LuPone for EVITA and GYPSY
Idina Menzel for WICKED
Christine Ebersole for GREY GARDENS
Dorothy Loudon for ANNIE
Glenn Close for SUNSET BLVD.
Chita Rivera for KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN
Lea Salonga for MISS SAIGON
They are way too many other obvious wins.
Harvey Fierstein may have been the genuine frontrunner for HAIRSPRAY, but he was anything but a lock.
Many people (including myself) were really hoping for Antonio Banderas that year, and he offered stiff competition. The both tied for the Drama Desk Award. So no, Fierstein was definitely NOT a lock that year.
Nor was Idina Menzel for WICKED. For many, her win was actually a bit of an upset. Of all the brilliant female leading performances that year, her's received the most tepid reviews. If I recall, it was widely believed that Tonya Pinkins would take home the award. She deserved it.
If I recall, it was widely believed that Tonya Pinkins would take home the award. She deserved it.
That's certainly debatable.
Yeah, Donna Murphy won the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Wonderful Town. Many thought Kristin would win. Many thought Tonya would win. That year was pretty wide open.
Ian McDiarmid was hardly a sure thing for Faith Healer featured actor in 2006. A lot of people were predicting Sam Barnett to win for History Boys.
I won my TONY office pool in 2007 because I checked off Julie White for best actress while no one else did. I'd hardly call that a clear cut race.
Michael Crawford for POTO
"Best Musical:
BILLY ELLIOT
IN THE HEIGHTS
SPRING AWAKENING
JERSEY BOYS
SPAMALOT
HAIRSPRAY
THE PRODUCERS"
Spamalot? Over Spelling Bee, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Light In The Piazza? I thought Spamalot was the weakest, having seen all four. I was pulling for Scoundrels or Piazza.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/22/08
Billy v. N2N was big next year. I still think the Tony should have gone to N2N
Broadway Star Joined: 5/26/07
Sweeney Todd for Best Revival of a Musical
It was a lock DAMNIT
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