Best Actress in a musical

#1

Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:09pm

Since its getting to be that time, who does everyone think will be nominated and who will win. I'd say that if I had to choose right now it would be LaChanze in The Color Purple. Most reviews of TCP say that the show has issues with fully conveying Alice Walkers show, but LaChanze does a fantastic job communicating the very complex character of Celie in 2 and a half hours. I have seen the show 3 times now all three times seeing LaChanze perform her wonderful character. With all this being said, I doesn't take away the fact that there have already been a lot of great performances in this category and more coming. So tell me your opinions.!

#2

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:14pm

Nominees:

LaChanze, "The Color Purple"
Sutton Foster, "The Drowsy Chaperone"
Maria Freedman, "The Woman in White"
Patti Lupone, "Sweeney Todd"
Kelli O'Hara, "The Pajama Game"

Winner: LaChanze, "The Color Purple"

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#3

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:16pm

I think before any predictions we should wait for some shows to open and hear what the Tony committee has to say about who is a leading actress, will there be any eligible actresses for this category in Times They Are A-Changing, and The Threepenny Opera, and The Drowsy Chaperone? So far I think Maria Friedman, Patti LuPone, and LaChanze have a place assured in the category, Chita Rivera is very likely to be nominated but not sure if it's a lock. Kelli O'Hara still has a chance but not sure if she will be able to compete against the actresses from the shows that haven't opened yet. And Laura Benanti is very likely to be left out from the race given the out-of-town reviews of The Wedding Singer.

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#4

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:17pm

I would actually be surprised if Maria landed a nomination now.

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#5

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:20pm

I think because of her very public illness, Maria Friedman is all but a lock.

I don't believe Chita will be nominated in this catagory (yes I know that DANCERS LIFE is considered a musical) but I think its possible she'll be given a special Tony.

I think Cyndi Lauper will probably be nominated either here or supporting - depending on how they deem the character in this particular revival.

#6

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:21pm

And Sutton is only Featured.

I give it to Patti...hands down.

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#7

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:23pm

Foster will likely be pushed as Lead. The creative team is in the process of beefing up her part as we speak.

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#8

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:33pm

What about Jenn Gambatese for Jane in Tarzan? I know no one talks a whole lot about Tarzan right now, but I think closer to its premiere, we will start metioning Jenn and Strickland more.

#9

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:43pm

Even if TARZAN is fabulous (and I hear it is) - I think the only way the two leads would score Tony noms would be as filler - and Best Actress is already jam packed. I bet Strickland has a better chance to squeak in than Gambatese.

#10

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:51pm

I agree, MB--but then I think about the Jane character from the movie, and she's quite charming and pretty hysterical. I'm excited to see what she does with the role regardless. I'm ready for some video footage!!

#11

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:52pm

I think Maria has a good chance...even though WIW didn't do too well!

#12

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 4:52pm

I think Patti can start clearing a place for it now...

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#13

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:27pm

I've re-listned to the Sweeney Todd revival cast album and after going La Chanze crazy, I've realized, even on the somewhat abridged discs, that LuPone's performance really is quite phenominal and she really does deserve the award after a long time away from Broadway.

#14

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:35pm

i agree in a sense, but I cant help to think about how LaChanze someone who critics were weary about having headline a big, new, expensive show was able to do such fantastic things with the material in what is such a hard role to play.

#15

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:42pm

PATTI LUPONE will get it. (In my opinion)

#16

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:48pm

I really hope Maria Friedman gets it, she starred in the best musical of the season and was brilliant.

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#17

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:51pm

LaChanze totally should get it, but I'd love if Maria got it. Patti was great but a sidenote in my mind compared to the mindblowing performances of the rest probably to be nominated

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Updated On: 2/26/06 at 06:51 PM

#18

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:52pm

PATTI will get it/deserves to get it. She learned tuba just for the role! I don't know if any of you have played it, but it is very difficult to master.

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#19

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:00pm

I wouldn't exactly say that Patti is getting it, nor does she deserve it. Shes already had her star turns and has her Tony. She also didn't just learn tuba for this role. She played it in hs and what is it? Just 3 notes? I could be taught that in an hour. That is probably the last thing I'd say she deserves the award for.
Maria had breast cancer, yet did she fly to the other side of the pond? No, she is very admirable.
This will be a very hard year for decisions, but it is most unfair to say one deserves it more than the other or will win it on a "guarantee"

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#20

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:01pm

"Even if TARZAN is fabulous (and I hear it is) - I think the only way the two leads would score Tony noms would be as filler - and Best Actress is already jam packed. I bet Strickland has a better chance to squeak in than Gambatese. "

I've heard Tarzan is AMAZING too, and agree with you on the two leads. I also think Chester Gregory and Shuler Hensley could get nods in the featured male roles, though I don't know how likely it would be for two actors from the same show to be nominated in the same category.

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#21

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:06pm

I think that its going to be a very tight race between LaChanze and Patti LuPone for the win.

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There's a lot I am not certain of...

#22

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:06pm

whoops, double post. Sorry!

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There's a lot I am not certain of...

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 07:06 PM

#23

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:12pm

Thanks for the clarification--I didn't know that (which is why I said I didn't know how likely it would be that Chester and Hensley would both be nominated).

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"You ask four guys, you get four different versions" ~ Tommy DeVito, Jersey Boys

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 07:12 PM

#24

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:37pm

Can't they just give it to Kelli and be done with it? She should have won it last year and she is just a world-class performer.

#25

re: Best Actress in a musical

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:48pm

I think Patti will get it.