David Hyde Pierce giving Esparza a run for the Tony?- Page 3

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 12:35pm

I agree with Emcee, though I very much respect your opinion, Hook (I haven't seen PQ yet, so I cannot judge if Fraser will be nominated.)

The problem with Spring Awakening, like the leads in Mary Poppins, is that anyone who can sing can do the roles. With the exception of Moritz, the roles aren't very hard and are extremely underdeveloped. That is why I forsee Gallagher as the only member of the cast nominated for an acting award. In such a crowded season, there are roles that are significantly tougher than those in Spring Awakening. Not everyone could come off as a successful Edie, Bobby, or Marty Short. Anyone who can sing and play a convincing teenager could do Melchior or Wendla.
Updated On: 3/17/07 at 12:35 PM

[MrWayne]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 12:50pm

First there was a conversation earlier about Company being a draw but I would hardly call a show constantly playing at 50-60% a draw. Just an opinion not a critique. I saw it in December and loved it and thought Raul gave a great performance but I don't think he is a "draw". Secondly, I am amazed reading that earlier list at all the talent in both the Lead Actress and Lead Actor fields. What a great year it is going to be at the Tony's. Having said that I think right now it is a total crapshoot but here goes...

David Hyde-Pierce
Raul Esparza
Michael Cerveris
Steve Kazee
Martin Short

Write 'em down. Those are the noms. Locks!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 12:52pm

I don't understand why you all are making a huge deal out of Pierce saying he thinks Esparza should win. Those kinds of comments are made often by Tony contenders - I've never seen it become such a topic of discussion.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 12:59pm

Capn, I think your "predictions" are so off-base.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 1:01pm

Agreed. I would hardly call Groff a lock. If the producers of THE PIRATE QUEEN want Fraser to be a contender, they should slip him into the Featured category.

That said, the more I think about (and listen to) Esparza's Bobby, the more I come to dislike it. At the first preview, he came off as wonderful and moving, with incredible renditions of "Being Alive" and "Marry Me A Little". Further listenings show that that is ALL he has; his Bobby is joyless and glib, and IMO totally misses the point. I'm rooting for Pierce.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 01:01 PM

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 1:19pm

Really, ACL? That's so interesting, because I've talked to a few people who had the polar opposite experience regarding Raul's performance: thought it was too cold and joyless at first, and returned to the show later to see that it had thawed quite a bit. Have you seen the show since previews? There are now moments that I would definitely call warm and genuine, if still melancholy. I tend to see the glib exterior as a front to hide Bobby's insecurities, since to me they show through anyway. Rather than one-note, it strikes me as an incredibly layered performance. Whether it "misses the point" is probably pretty subjective in terms of...what one thinks he point is.

I haven't had the chance to see Pierce in Curtains and probably won't be able to, though I definitely wish I could.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 1:51pm

I haven't seen the show since previews. I've considered going back several times, but I just so disliked this production that I really can't bring myself to pay to see it again. I did buy the recording though and have listened to it, and based on that I stand by what I've said.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 2:08pm

Esparza has definitely softened up since previews. One of my complaints after seeing the show early on was that Bobby was coming off really cold; I really could not see him as someone who would take the kids to the zoo (or who you would even trust to handle kids in the first place!). I think he comes off happier now, and therefore lighter. One of the best examples of this, I think, is in the scene between Bobby and Kathy. Esparza is able to show Bobby break right in front of you; we see that harder facade - and within moments, he becomes so gentle and sincere and real. You can really see why Kathy would have once wanted to marry him and why she thinks he is such a good man.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 02:08 PM

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 4:00pm

"MrWayne- "David Hyde-Pierce
Raul Esparza
Michael Cerveris
Steve Kazee
Martin Short

Write 'em down. Those are the noms. Locks! "

I think these are probably correct except I think that Steve Kazee is up in the air. I'm not sure there will be enough push. i had forgotten, of course, about Martin Short's nomination. Obviously he'll get one and he deserves one, in my opinion.
Call me crazy, but I stil think Michael Arden has a shot. No one in recent years has had such few crdits and such a HUGE suport system in the community. And also don't forget that everyone said "Times" wouldn't have even made it to NY if it weren't for him.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 4:10pm

I definitely think Kazee has a better shot than Arden, given that 110 IN THE SHADE will be running in May and TIMES will have been closed for almost 8 months. Plus, 110 is a well-known show and Starbuck is one of those juicy, old-time roles that the nominators love. If Kazee does it right, the 5th spot is his. If not, it'll go to Gavin Lee.

Also, I think Gavin Lee has a much better shot at a nomination than Short.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 4:28pm

Re: Arden -

NOT BY A LONG SHOT!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 5:26pm

I just got back from Curtains. I'm going to post my more detailed thoughts about the show as a whole a bit later, but (and take out your grains of salt if you so choose) as far as my personal opinion goes, I can't see DHP being a legitimate threat to Esparza. So... to translate that to something more wide-reaching: should he be? Comparing the two in my own mind, probably not. For whatever little it may be worth with all its lack of objectivity (though I would certainly like to think I can still be sort of clear-headed), I think Esparza is giving a far better and more award-worthy performance. Will he be? Probably, for a lot of reasons. I think he is absolutely adorable, and he's giving a wonderful performance in Curtains. He's lovable in that quirky... well, David Hyde Pierce kind of way, which I loved. I went in wanting to like him and I did, but... I just don't understand why people think this is his award to lose. I don't see the two on the same level at all, largely because they're such drastically different roles, to be honest.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 05:26 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 6:02pm

Emcee - EXACTLY. Should DHP be up there for a Tony? Certainly not. Should Esparza? I'd say so.

***EDIT: DHP should be up for a Tony but not "UP there" meaning in the top two.***

As for Groff, I think he has a strong chance, but I guess saying he is a lock is more of my personal wish than reality. I disagree, however, to whoever said ANY teenager who can sing can play those roles. They do have more depth than that.

I normally wouldn't allow my personal interests to get into the race of "will be" but in Groff's case, I just see it happening. SPRING AWAKENING is a show that is on verge of becoming as huge as RENT. It's very appealing to GenX. While I say the show is definitely a lock for Best Musical (and again, some may disagree) I think they will recognize many of its actors come Tony time with nominations.

As for Gavin Lee...yes...I see how he would be nominated. However I think in a year where there are so many things newer than MARY POPPINS, Lee is easy to look over. POPPINS is new this season, but the show had already been opened in London with Lee. IMO, he feels like old news.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 06:02 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 6:03pm

To clarify, I think DHP should absolutely be nominated.

On a completely ridiculous note, I think he is just so cute. I wanted to give him a hug!

[courtnyj]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 6:08pm

Hehe....I totally want to give him a squeeze too! He's adorable!

[D2]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 6:16pm

Oh please. DHP absolutely deserves to be in a head to head competition with RE. They are both giving performances that give their respective productions their soul.

[Lt. Cioffi]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 7:01pm

Agreed D2.
Updated On: 3/17/07 at 07:01 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 8:08pm

David Hyde-Pierce is a TV star (which in itself pushes him into competition) giving an wonderful performance. In fact, it's SO wonderful, some of you even believe he's not working hard enough to be formidable competition in the Tony race.

And THAT, my friends, is the mark of a true, genuine, gifted, skilled actor.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 08:08 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 8:33pm

"In fact, it's SO wonderful, some of you even believe he's not working hard enough to be formidable competition in the Tony race.
And THAT, my friends, is the mark of a true, genuine, gifted, skilled actor."

Couldn't agree more with you, Rath.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 8:44pm

If that was directed at me, I didn't say (or mean to insinuate) that I don't think he's working hard enough to merit a Tony-worthy performance. If I did insinuate that, I'm sorry. I don't see it that you have to demonstrate hard work in order to have your performance hailed as something great, you know? I don't think that the level of work put in (or that of which there is visible evidence) really can be said to be in direct correlation with the quality of the performance. I think Esparza's role has a lot more meat to it than does DHP's, which I suppose you could take to mean that Esparza works harder or something, but that's not the point I'm making -- perhaps it has a bit to do with my personal opinion in terms of the results themselves, though.

DHP is obviously a very skilled, triple-threat-endowed, multi-talented performer and I do like him a lot. Whether or not I think he's a legitimate threat to Esparza in the Tony race has not a thing to do with how hard I think he's working. I did say that I think Esparza's performance is better, yes, but that isn't synonymous with saying I doubt that Hyde Pierce is putting heart and hard work into his performance by any means. (And hey, I can certainly still think he's quited damned good -- which I do -- even if I don't think he deserves the award; it's not black and white.) As far as I'm concerned, it's subjectivity, just personal opinion at this point, which anyone is more than free to disagree with.

Updated On: 3/17/07 at 08:44 PM

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 3/17/07 at 9:02pm

actually, though i haven't see raul yet, i have seen DHP and it wasn't the most inbelievable performance i have ever seen. and i love pierce just as much as the next girl, but there are many more performances that have been more stand-out for me this season, including alexander gemignani, norm lewis, jonathan groff, johnny gallagher and others [i know not all of those people are considered leading.]
so i just don't see DHP winning the tony for this role, he's been funnier and done a better acting job from what i've seen.

so, i don't have any great guesses of who the other nominees will be, but i'm sure raul still has a good shot. =)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/18/07 at 12:43am

Emcee, you weren't the only person who said that, so no, it was not directed at you more than any of the rest.

And again, if we're playing the Tony-Awards-Are-Strictly-About-Performance-Quality-and-not-Politics-or-Business, then have at it. I can't play that unrealistic game.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/18/07 at 12:52am

Emcee, you weren't the only person who said that, so no, it was not directed at you more than any of the rest.

Well, I didn't say it. You (mis)interpreted it, which is why I felt I should clarify.

I don't think the issue is really what they are because the reality of it is perfectly obvious. I think everyone who pays the slightest bit of attention knows that there's a ton of non-performance stuff that factors in. The issue in that debate is what people think they should be, but the fact that it's totally hypothetical and that the ideal is unrealistic makes it not worth having.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/18/07 at 12:53am

gee Em thinks Raul is still better.
duh

Someone buy that fan girl a drink.
Rath, she thinks everything is directed at her.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/18/07 at 1:11am

I had reason to think it was, didn't I? Since it came so shortly after I voiced my opinion on DHP and was clearly a misinterpretation of what I wrote.. And if I was included in those at whom it was directed, then your need to try to make me look stupid really falls a bit flat here, since I didn't think it without reason. You, CPD, perhaps shouldn't be talking about making things unncessarily personal, though, since you seem to have an awfully big tendency to often turn impersonal and generic discussions into personal slams against me.

And yes, duh. I told you, grains of salt perfectly welcome, because you all expected it. I also said in another thread that I wouldn't be surprised in the least if people were to tell me they thought I had my mind made up about it before today, even though I didn't. I without a doubt expected people -- you in particular, imagine that -- to tell me that something along the lines of "oh, there's no way you could possibly think anything else; you would think he's better no matter what just because OMG it's RAUL." And while I'd contest that that's not true, I do have to say that if I'm perfectly well aware that it exists, calling out my bias isn't exactly going to offend me.

Yet again, however, another nice try.

Have a lovely night, all; I'm logging out before we get into our usual arguments yet again.

Updated On: 3/18/07 at 01:11 AM