Best Actor in a Play 2009 - Who is Eligible?

Edit: I will update my list as people respond...

With all the Tony buzz surrounding Geoffrey Rush yesterday afternoon while walking out of EXIT THE KING, I was thinking of who his competition could be. Please let me know if I left anyone out...

Who do you think will be nominated?

Daniel Radcliffe, EQUUS
Richard Griffiths, EQUUS
Frank Langella, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Peter Sarsgaard, THE SEAGULL
David Rasche, TO BE OR NOT TO BE
John Lithgow, ALL MY SONS
Raul Esparza, SPEED-THE-PLOW
Is Michael Cerveris lead or featured in HEDDA GABLER?
Rupert Everett, BLITHE SPIRIT
James Gandolfini, GOD OF CARNAGE
Jeremy Irons, IMPRESSIONISM
Geoffrey Rush, EXIT THE KING
Thomas Sadoski, REASONS TO BE PRETTY
Is there a lead male role in JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE?
Stephen Mangan, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS
Matthew Broderick, THE PHILANTHROPIST
David Hyde Pierce, ACCENT ON YOUTH
Nathan Lane, WAITING FOR GODOT
Bill Irwin, WAITING FOR GODOT

There are a lot more to choose from than I remembered...

Updated On: 3/19/09 at 10:52 AM

Who is eligible? Everyone and their brother.

Raul is definitely lead. I'm assuming Cerveris is featured, but I don't know for sure.

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No, I believe all the males in The Seagull will be considered for featured.

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Thomas Sadoski from REASONS TO BE PRETTY.

Updated On: 3/9/09 at 12:03 PM

What about Jeremy Piven / Norbert Leo Butz / William H. Macy for Speed-The-Plow? Has anything been announced on their eligibility?

>No, I believe all the males in The Seagull will be considered for featured.<

Sarsgaard and Crook were above the title. Crook has been moved to featured.

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Yeah, I guess you're right, Piven will most likely be the only eligible one.

Unless they "pull a Larry Kert". He replaced Dean Jones in Company (1971) and got a Tony nomination. Not sure about the exact circumstances though.

Updated On: 3/9/09 at 05:36 PM

The main plot of JOE TURNER revolves around Herald Loomis, so whoever plays him might be considered a Lead. But the play is an ensemble piece, so we don't know yet.

As of now, I think Geoffrey Rush is the only one (and the reviews haven't come out, so we don't know for SURE) who's even close to being locked for a nomination. Raul Esparza has a good chance, but we don't know. And who knows if the committee will feel that Daniel Radcliffe would be worthy, or would boost their ratings (although, if we learned anything from this year's Oscars, it's that we should not assume that the committee cares what everyone else thinks).

Boy, this is tough.

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Wow I have to stop posting like I have seen these plays.

Pumpkin, that's what forums are for. Don't worry about it. :)

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He'll be nominated. And has a good shot at winning.

I think this is a very interesting category. Of course, you cannot predict at this stage since several of the shows aren't even in previews yet. I'm hoping for a good representation of both dramatic and comedic performers.

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This is about plays, dear.

Rock of Ages fans are really starting to piss me off.

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Corrections any new play or musical that is released on a broadway stage by April 30th. And best Actor is any actor that orginates a role on Broadway. See Rock of Ages can be nominated for best Musical,or best musical comedy. Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Set, Best Playwright, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actoress. Yes it qualifies for all that.
If Mamma Mia, 9 to 5, etc, etc could be nominated, so can this.
Lea