Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:01pm
From much discussions it seems as though Cynthia and Lupita are strong contenders for the Best Actress and Actress in a musical awards this year. Has this ever happened before? 2 black women taking both of those awards in the same year? I know it almost happened in 2004 when Phylicia Rashad won for the Raisin but Tonya Pinkins was robbed for Caroline or Change and Idina got it for Wicked.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:09pm
How amazing would it be if Cynthia won for Color Purple, Leslie Odom Jr won for Hamilton, Daveed Diggs won for Hamilton, and Renee Elise Goldsberry won for Hamilton for people of color to take all 4 musical acting awards? I don't think that's likely to happen, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. That coupled with the idea that Lupita could win for Eclipsed and one of her cast mates could win in the Featured category makes this a very strong year for men and women of color on Broadway.
Updated On: 3/11/16 at 04:09 PM
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:10pm
If Cynthia doesn't win, Phillipa will, so all four acting categories winners will still be POC.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:18pm
funhamilton_rent said: "If Cynthia doesn't win, Phillipa will, so all four acting categories winners will still be POC.
"
Not to rain on your parade but if Cynthia doesn't win I doubt it will automatically go to Phillipa, it will be a strong category and with Mueller and Mcdonald sure to be in the mix its hard to say. But as of right now Cynthia seems to be the stand out but some shows have still yet to open, but still rooting for her
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:37pm
funhamilton_rent said: "If Cynthia doesn't win, Phillipa will, so all four acting categories winners will still be POC."
Of all people you could have chosen who could "not win", you went with the ONE choice which is the most likely win? And I agree that IF (and that's a big if) Cynthia doesn't win, Soo will likely not be the frontrunner. People are still debating if she will get a nom at all.
It's a great great time for theater though. From #oscarsowhite to political climate becoming outright hostile to POC, it makes me happy that my personal happy place, live theater, is setting an outstanding example for what's right.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:50pm
Patina Miller and Cicely Tyson both won their Lead Tonys the same night.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:52pm
^ (And Billy Porter... and Courtney Vance)
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:53pm
And yet theatre is still seen as a lower form than film and TV by the general public.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:54pm
bjh2114 said: "^ (And Billy Porter... and Courtney Vance)"
Except Porter won for Lead and Vance won for Featured.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 4:58pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Patina Miller and Cicely Tyson both won their Lead Tonys the same night.
"
You are absolutely right!!! I completely forgot about that, how silly og me. Thanks Jeffrey, so this won't be the first time, would love to see it happen again.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 5:29pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "bjh2114 said: "^ (And Billy Porter... and Courtney Vance)"
Except Porter won for Lead and Vance won for Featured.
"
I'm aware of that. That wasn't my point. My point was that two other people of color won acting awards the same night as Patina and Cicely. 4 out of 8 is an astounding number.
Posted: 3/11/16 at 7:14pm
bjh2114 said: "How amazing would it be if Cynthia won for Color Purple, Leslie Odom Jr won for Hamilton, Daveed Diggs won for Hamilton, and Renee Elise Goldsberry won for Hamilton for people of color to take all 4 musical acting awards? I don't think that's likely to happen, but it's not out of the realm of possibility."
Is it really that unlikely? Aren't they all the current frontrunners?
Posted: 3/11/16 at 8:57pm
I wouldn't say Leslie Odom, Jr. is a frontrunner (at least not yet). There's still Danny Burstein in Fiddler on the Roof.
Posted: 3/12/16 at 3:17am
There isn't a clear frontrunner in the lead actor race, yet. But Leslie Odom, Jr. has a real shot. I think HAMILTON will match the record of most Tony wins set by THE PRODUCERS, and I expect Odom Jr. to help them match that record. Burstein definitely poses a threat. I hope Odom Jr. gets it.
bjh2114, it really would be amazing if that happened. I hadn't thought about the possibility that all acting musical wins could go to black actors. But those performances and those roles are so rangy and rich and everything that a good role should entail. Interestingly enough, as we were talking in the featured actress thread, Hudson is also in the mix to win based on her reviews, though I do think Goldsberry is the overwhelming favorite in that category at this point.
Posted: 3/12/16 at 5:07pm
Well I love Danny Burstein in everything he did-- Drowsy Chaperone, Golden Boy, Women on the Verge and Follies---- but not a fan of his Tevye. Too mundane and nebishy.
Posted: 3/12/16 at 6:31pm
Luckily you're not one either.
