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

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!

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

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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.

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.

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

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.

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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.

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

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!

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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.

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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.

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

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.

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

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.

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gee Em thinks Raul is still better.
duh

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