Best Actor in a Musical: Neil or Jefferson? Or ...

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 1:04pm

Neil Patrick Harris and Jefferson Mays tied at the Drama Desk Awards on Sunday. Before that, Neil had won the Distinguished Performance prize from the Drama League, and Jefferson had gotten the Best Actor in a Musical citation from the Outer Critics Circle. Many pundits are picking Neil to take home the Tony. Or is it a really a two-man race between Neil and Jefferson, or could Ramin Karimloo, Andy Karl or Bryce Pinkham pull off an upset?
GoldDerby: Why Neil Patrick Harris loved tying at the Drama Desk Awards

[Jingjo2]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 1:06pm

I have a feeling it will be Neil.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 1:06pm

Mays could easily ride the Gentleman's Guide tidal wave, if it bags the best musical prize... That would be considered an upset, but Harris is a former host of the Tonys, so I can't really see them not giving it to him... Tbh, if we're talking upsets, I'd really just kill to see Kelli taking the gold home instead of Mueller as much as I love her

[Kad]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 1:08pm

Neil deserves the award. What he does in Hedwig is incredible.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 1:10pm

I'm thinking Neil. It's a legendary performance.

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 1:14pm

"It's a legendary performance."

You can say that again!

http://youtu.be/C19US6rqqAo

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 2:58pm

LEGENDARY!!

Neil deserves the award, and I would hope he would win even if he had never hosted the Tonys.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 3:17pm

If there's any justice, Mr. Mays will go home a winner.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 3:36pm

I'm pulling for Mays but I just don't see how NPH won't win.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 3:42pm

I'm still annoyed Bertie Carvel didn't go featured. To the grave.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 3:52pm

I so badly want a win for Mays, but I know it's unlikely. NPH is definitely deserving, I just found Mays' work to be exceptionally unique.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 5:46pm

I really want Mays to win but I won't be disapointed if NPH does.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 5:50pm

I really want a win for Mays, too. Though I think the award is going to NPH.

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 10:51pm

"I'm still annoyed Bertie Carvel didn't go featured. To the grave."

Me too...and I think Kelli losing will be even more of a pain in my heart forever.

[Jingjo2]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 11:48pm

To clarify myself on why I think it will be Neil :

The role(s) that Jefferson plays is such a hard demanding role that
Not everyone can pull it off, and he did, so he's exceptional that way. But that's because the role is hard to play.

Hedwig is a role that technically anyone can do. But not every one
can do it like Neil.

So to speak, if these actors are leaving the show, the Dysquith
role can be replaced and if a certain actor can pull it off, it would
pretty much be identical to Jefferson's performance.

While if Neil leaves Hedwig, the next actor will not be like him
but will probably have to come up With a different approach.

Of course they both are extremely talented but Neil had maximize
the craft of acting with this role



Updated On: 6/3/14 at 11:48 PM

[A Director]

Posted: 6/3/14 at 11:54pm

rjm516 - Great a life!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 9:16am

"Great a life"?

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 10:16am

I think Neil Patrick Harris has it. One tie-but he took the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and every other award without that tie. I think Harris' performance is deserving of a Tony.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 10:29am

Actually Jefferson Mays won the Outer Critics Circle Award.

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 10:32am

Then maybe he'll beat Harris.

I doubt it. (I hope not. Truthfully, I felt like he was fine-but the show is truly an ensemble piece.)

Another thing working against Mays is that his co-star is nominated too.

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 10:37am

"I felt like he was fine-but the show is truly an ensemble piece."

But he is half of the ensemble.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 10:51am

It would not surprise me in the least if Mays took this... Remember we all thought Laura Benanti was going to win the Tony for Women on the Verge, then out of the blue, Nikki M. James took it, riding the Book of Mormon sweep. Gentleman's Guide may very well nab the best actor prize with the big best musical win.

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/4/14 at 11:04am

I think one thing against Benanti was the fact that Book of Mormon was a huge hit. (And her show was a big flop.)

I think a more likely scenario is Worsham beating out Hall-that is how they can honor the ensemble.

Frankly, I didn't love any of the best musical nominees. (I think Hedwig was probably the best overall Broadway production of a musical of the year.) If Mays wins, life goes on. (If a tie happens, even better. I thought he was fine, but for me the outstanding performance was Jane Carr-her performance should have been nominated.)

I like what Mays did well enough-but I never felt wrapped up in a performance that was a once in a lifetime experience.