Best Actor - Musical and Play -- Upsets?

[jdrye222]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 6:02pm

Both Best Actor races seem to be very competitive categories this year... Does anyone think there will be "upsets" in both or either categories?

For Musical - I really cannot see Rannells or Gad winning (Rannells would at least be somewhat warranted, but Gad does an impression of Dan Fogler in Spelling Bee... frankly it is a really obnoxious performance that I wouldn't have even nominated). I really think it is between Sheldon and Butz, with Butz having the edge... However, if enough voters went to see at least the Archive recording of Scottsboro, there could be split votes all over the place, because Henry was fantastic. It seems like this is the only real 5-way race.

For Play - Rylance and Mantello will be battling it out, but I honestly think Cannavale may win... I saw all 3 of them and it is the most nuanced of all of them (though I will hand it to Rylance that he does an exquisite job simply maintaining the energy... I liked him better in BOEING BOEING though, which is truly the best comedic performance I've seen on a stage in my life).


Updated On: 6/5/11 at 06:02 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 9:26pm

frankly it is a really obnoxious performance that I wouldn't have even nominated

I could not disagree more. I want either Rannells or Gad to win. I think they are both equally deserving, so I have no preference.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 10:07pm

I completely agree about Josh Gad- one of the more irritating performances of the season. Nothing more than William Barfee re-tread, with a splash of Chris Farley thrown in for good measure.

As for the Tony race, given that there's no clear front-runner for Best Actor in a Musical, can it really be considered an upset if any of them win?

[uptowndowntown]

Posted: 6/6/11 at 7:30pm

Rylance was bigger than life, brilliant. A giant on the stage.
Cannavale WAS life. Also brilliant. Very human.
neck-and-neck down to the wire.

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/6/11 at 7:36pm

Bobby Cannavale was Bobby Cannavale--the same performance he's given throughout his professional career.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/6/11 at 7:38pm

If anyone is going to beat Rylance, it's Mantello, not Bobby Cannavale.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 6/6/11 at 7:55pm

Didn't want to start another thread, but after watching the BWW interview with the Morman nominees, how could would it be if Rannells and Gad did tie in the Mormon sweep? I think that would be awesome. It's po

[mikem]

Posted: 6/6/11 at 10:13pm

What I find very interesting about the Leading Actor in a Musical race is that if Daniel Radcliffe had gotten through the nominating committee, he probably would have ended up winning.

What I also find interesting is that Al Pacino in the Merchant of Venice, which got rave reviews both by the critics and by the people on this board, is probably in 4th place to win for Leading Actor in a Play, behind Mantello, Rylance, and Cannavale. The nominees in this category are incredibly strong.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 6/6/11 at 10:50pm

They're both very strong categories.
I don't really know that there is a clear frontrunner for musical. With the exception of maybe Henry, I think they all have a shot. I simply say that becaues I don't see best actor going to a show that's been closed nearly six months.
On the other hand, for plays I think it's also a very close race. Rylance is probably the frontrunner but I don't think anyone would be shocked if Mantello took it. I'd be a little shocked if Cannavale won, but it's far from inconceivable.

[dtzumbrunnen]

Posted: 6/7/11 at 7:36am

though I will hand it to Rylance that he does an exquisite job simply maintaining the energy...

Does this really compare to Mantello's energy through all of Normal Heart? He was so energetic and commanded that stage in a way I've never seen. After seeing him after the performance I couldn't believe how short he was compared to the rest of the cast - he was so animated and electric through the whole show I didn't notice he was a foot shorter than Lee Pace.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/7/11 at 8:03am

I think it's between Gad and Sheldon for musical. I'm giving the edge to Gad, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Sheldon wins.

In a less crowded season where Catch Me might have gained some traction, Butz would probably be the front runner. But I don't think that show is going to win anything.

So, I'm going with Gad for the showier role as part of a Mormon sweep.

The real race in a musical acting category is supporting actress though. I'm going with James but Benanti could very well take it.

Despite the Mormon wave there is still some real competition this year in many categories.

[Dawn Davenport]

Posted: 6/7/11 at 10:15am

I saw Jerusalem two weeks ago and figured Rylance was a LOCK for Best Actor. I loved him in La Bete also. He's just.....unique. I could've easily listened to him go on all night. I adore the guy's talent.

Then last week I saw The Normal Heart and now honestly I wouldn't be surprised (or upset) if Joe Mantello took the Tony Award. He gave an amazing, balls out performance, and not only that, he's usually a director, NOT an actor! Which makes it all the more surprising (to me anyways.)

I'm honestly torn between both of them, although emotionally The Normal Heart tore me up inside, so I'm sort of leaning over the fence towards Mantello....

As for upsets, *I'm* still upset that DanRad was dissed. His was the most joyous performance I can remember seeing in I don't know how long. He was a total pleasure to watch, start to finish.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/7/11 at 7:01pm

I would love nothing more than to see both Joe Mantello and Joshua Henry sneak up and win in their respective categories. I'm a little behind on the plays but I've seen all of the musical nominees and don't feel that Rannells or Gad are giving an award worthy performance. I would much rather have seen Daniel Radcliffe nominated in either one of their places.

As for Joe Mantello, he is giving a brilliant and moving performance unlike any I have seen in a LONG time, if ever, and I would gladly hand him every award possible.

Updated On: 6/7/11 at 07:01 PM

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/7/11 at 9:50pm

During the past few weeks, I saw Jerusalem, Normal Heart, and Motherf**r. I have no idea how I would vote for best actor if I was a Tony voter. 3 incredible performances. Mantello affected me the most, hit me the deepest, but I think that's due in part to the subject matter, obviously. They are all really unbelievably deserving. I'm so lucky I got to see these performances.