Posted: 5/18/15 at 3:54pm
I really loved Yazbeck's performance but what makes everyone think he's gaining momentum? I'm not being combative, I'm just genuinely curious.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 4:07pm
Hey Little Sally -
Again, it's just my gut, but it seems Tony and Robert are everywhere you look these days at events, on social media, tons of press. The other three seem oddly quiet. The huge Times piece by the chief dance critic last Sunday didn't hurt either.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 4:14pm
Between Robert Fairchild and Michael Cerveris...leaning towards Robert at this point.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 4:14pm
Between Robert Fairchild and Michael Cerveris...leaning towards Robert at this point.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 6:15pm
I think Ceveris will go all the way with this one. He's given one truly stellar performance after another his whole career - and I think his role in Fun Home, where he heartbreakingly carries the emotional weight of the show, won't be over-looked. It's hard for me to imagine BDJ winning for such a comparatively fluffy role in Something Rotten over Cerveris' Bruce in Fun Home.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 6:54pm
Michael Cerveris. Michael Cerveris. Michael Cerveris.
He plays by far the most complex role in Fun Home and does so perfectly. Give this man his second Tony.
I just don't think any of the other nominees deserve it over him. I loved Yazbeck in On the Town and was glad to see him get a Tony nod (he gives a much more compelling performance in a Gene Kelly role than Fairchild). Brian D'arcy James was very good in Something Rotten but I don't think it is a performance that warrants a Tony award.
It's gotta go to Cerveris.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 7:10pm
I've got to jump in the Cerveris camp as well. Yazbeck a close second imo and he looked great on the today show today
Posted: 5/18/15 at 7:54pm
Cerveris doesn't need to campaign- not to mention, he's been ineligible for the smaller awards this year.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 8:34pm
Finally saw Fun Home yesterday and have to agree. Cerveris. I haven't seen BDJ yet but I can't imagine that role is as strong.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 9:14pm
I'd say:
1) Cerveris or Yazbeck
2) D'Arcy James
3) Fairchild
4) Watanabe
Posted: 5/18/15 at 9:16pm
That video of Yazbeck is filled with people who have never been more embarrassed to be captured on video.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 11:32pm
I go with Fairchild. His presscence in AAIP is massive and nothing competes with the final 14' dream ballet. My second choice is Yazbek for his rendition of Lonely Town as well as being a wonderful dancer. This is very difficult.
Posted: 5/18/15 at 11:51pm
I think it's going to be either Robert Fairchild or Tony Yazbeck who'll take the trophy but to all who say that Ken Watanabe doesn't have a slight chance, don't shut him out entirely. He's gotten really good reviews, even the ones who criticized his diction still admired his performance overall.
Posted: 5/19/15 at 6:55am
I think it's between Fairchild and Cerveris, and right now feel Fairchild is one step ahead. As others mentioned, he seems to be everywhere and he has the momentum of the charming-American-wins-it-all right now. I loved his performance in AAIP, but I would rather not have him win this award. I mean come on, he's a NYCP principal landing his first Broadway (lead!) role who suddenly can sing and act out of nowhere, has Hollywood-good-looks, a equally talented and beautiful wife and by Social Media standards (I know...) leads a tooth-achingly sweet life - and now he should also win a Tony over those Broadway veterans? Please universe, some justice, balance this out 
And if he won, the reasons leading him to win should also make Leanne Cope win (and I think she deserves it for her performane) but interestingly enough, in the female category I think no one really gives AAIP a chance above the Broadway all-stars.
Posted: 5/19/15 at 4:26pm
If Fun Home starts to sweep, it may suck Cervis up with it, and vice versa for AAIP and Fairchild. But if the voters are compelled to give Rotten something, it may well be d'arcy James.
Posted: 5/19/15 at 5:43pm
I saw Fun Home. I enjoyed it very much, and thought that some of the performances were indeed Tony worthy. but I don't understand why Michael Cervaris is the front runner for the Tony. I found nothing special or memorable in his performance-- it's a part that I believe could have been played equally well by any number of actors.
The only other nominee I've seen in this category is Ken Watanabe, and if it was between the two of them I'd vote for Ken in a heartbeat.
Posted: 5/19/15 at 6:37pm
"I would love Yazbek to win for his "Lonely Town" alone.
When he sang that it was transcendent."
Yes yes yes. I saw it Friday. Saw it in October. So wonderful.
Cerveris was very good but yazbeck deserves the tony.
Updated On: 5/20/15 at 06:37 PM
Posted: 5/19/15 at 6:45pm
I have to vehemently disagree with those of you who think Fairchild is the most deserving. In fact, of the 5 actors nominated, he is my last pick. I think Yazbeck plays a much more compelling Gene Kelly character than Fairchild. I was really happy to see him nominated but I don't think he should win either.
Michael Cerveris' performance in Fun Home blew me away more than any other actor I got to see this Broadway season. Granted, I am a bit biased because I saw a lot of parallels between Bruce and my own father....which is a large part of why Fun Home touched me so deeply. But the character of Bruce is the most complex role in the show and Cerveris embodies him with such rawness, empathy, and burning passion throughout. It is a true feat of a performance, in my opinion. Feel free to disagree. But I saw all 5 nominated actors and Cerveris' performance is the one I can't stop thinking about.
Posted: 5/19/15 at 6:48pm
You guys talking about momentum surely are just talking in cliches, right? Can you really sense what's happening among tony voters?
Posted: 5/20/15 at 4:56am
RingOfKeys2, I completely agree with your assessment. I saw almost no parallels between Bruce and my father - but I haven't stopped thinking about Ceveris' Bruce since the night I saw it. He had a wonderful visceral quality about his tortured existence. I find all of Ceveris' performances to be quite special and memorable in their own way - but living & breathing this man's haunting pain out on stage every night - until it reaches the audience and grabs it by its throat - it is a true feat indeed.
Posted: 5/20/15 at 5:49am
I'm definitely thinking Cerveris.
Personally I'd vote for BJD.
Posted: 5/20/15 at 10:55am
I have no idea if Yazbeck is gaining momentum but I'd be delighted if that were the case.
I thought his performance was a total knock out, and Gaby is a role that one would never expect to have the impact that he achieves. I would love it if he won, and it would be a great way of honoring what for many of us was a top notch revival.
