Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical — Page 2

I think they could've gone either way on Eliza, but she is the one who ultimately tells Hamilton's story, so I think they went the right way. It's a great role--I saw Alysha play it as well as Philippa and both women give stunning performances. I thought she might be left out just because of the stellar show-changing performances in this category, but I'm glad she was not. The only one of the performances I haven't seen is Audra, so I can't comment on whether I would've rather seen her be nominated than anyone else.



I think Erivo will win and if so it will be richly deserved. However, to be honest, in my gut I'm rooting for Cusack. She just has such a great story of working so long in the business and she is finally getting her breakout role. She plays comedy and drama in Bright Star and does both seamlessly and flawlessly. She effortly transitioned back and forth between carefree, lighthearted teenager and a woman who has been through utter heartbreak. Plus by all accounts she seems to be a perfectly lovely person (not that the other ladies aren't). I won't be devastated regardless of who wins, because these are 5 Tony worthy performances, but if Cusack won I'd be particularly delighted.

givesmevoice said: "Why should she be rewarded for originating a role when some of her fellow nominees weren't alive (Benanti) or weren't old enough (Errivo) when their shows first opened?"

I didn't intend to say that originating a role should give her a leg up, just noting it. The way she has brought a new role to life is an important part of her performance - just as the way Benanti and Erivo have brought something new and different to their roles. But I walked out of Waitress having a hard time imaging someone else doing what she is doing on that stage.

I think "originating a role" logic should apply to Philippa as well, then. She was with the show from very early on, and influenced the character of Eliza significantly. Songs are as good as singers who they were written for, and she makes me cry everytime she sings Burn. The scream in middle of Act 2 when her son dies (spoiler?) is gut wrenching. Jessie is great, no doubt, but she had material in form of the movie to refer to. Don't get me wrong - I love Jessie's take in Waitress, and she definitely created that role (sometimes out of thin air, let's admit it - it's not a very evolved story), but Phillipa didn't have a lot of text to work with and yet she makes her presence extremely known in the show. The "I put myself back in the narrative" makes it's impact known long after you've left that theater.

I'd vote Erivo, Cusack, Mueller, Benanti, and Soo...in that order. Benanti is very good in the role, but in my opinion, the material is not written in such a way that she carries the heft of the show. I also feel that the TONY voters tend to favor lead actresses in more dramatic or heavier musicals.

jon2 said: "I feel bad for Benanti, because this would be her year if it weren't already Erivo's year. So much of winning awards is about luck and timing. "

Agreed. Allegiance didn't get any nominations yet I think had it opened in March or April it would have received a few nominations versus nil.

Saw Shuffle Along last night and I thought Audra was really wonderful, but agree that the committee got this right. The role is definitely a leading actress so she was in the correct category. The other performances and roles are just stronger and I can't see whose spot she would take. I've said it before - what a testament it is to the beauty of the performances this season when there's no room for Audra at the table.