Does Butley have a chance at the Tonys?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:12am

Just wondering what you think. Since the show got mixed reviews, do you think it has a chance at Best Revival at the Tonys this year? Or any Tonys for that matter?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:14am

Um...no. I mean it did okay at the box office, but I think it was, for the most part, forgettable. Considering no one has nominated it for anything, I think it's almost like it didn't even happen.

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:54am

Sure, it has a chance, as do all shows on Broadway that open during the respected time frame.

I was so, so, so disappointed in the play. Even the talented Nathan couldn't rise above the material. It's just a bad show to begin with.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:56am

No chance.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:35pm

It's only chance at a nomination is a Featured Actress nod for Dana Ivey. She is a Tony favorite, and a 4-time past nominee. Her last nomination was for THE RIVALS, which had been long closed by the time nominations came out -- just like BUTLEY, so you never know. I thought she gave a phenomenal performance in an otherwise awful production. Lane doesn't have a shot in hell. No shot at a Best Revival nod either, obviously. I'm crossing my fingers for Ivey, though.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:38pm

Rentboy86, I even forgot that this production existed!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:41pm

I thought it was last season.



But no, Butley really has no chance.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:43pm

I'd like to see Ivey nominated (she was the only part of this production that was remotely enjoyable), but I think the Featured Actress category is too crowded for her to recognized.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 1:01pm

I SAW it and even I forgot it existed.

I actually despise Lane, but I really thought his performance here was something special, and am saddened that it hasn't gotten any recognition.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 1:17pm

I saw the production and completely forgot about it 10 minutes later.

[BroadwayBound86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 3:50pm

I saw this production once....didn't like it. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I don't think it has a chance. The only thing I remember most from it was that the winner from Beuty and the Geek season 1 was sitting a few seats down from us.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 8:11pm

I loved it. I knew I was going to love it when I went in. I mean, I've always liked Butley, I've always liked Nathan Lane, and I've always liked Dana Ivey.

I thought Nathan's performance was great. He worked his ass off and was believable in the role.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 8:21pm

I was one of the few people who loved this show as well, but I agree that Dana Ivey is the only chance at BUTLEY getting a Tony nomination...and I hope she gets the nom.

[nathanlaneismyhero]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 8:23pm

I think that the show was great. Nathan did a fantastic job with the material. I know that Nathan got a mention for the Drama Desk Awards, but as for the Tony's, I'm not sure. I would love to see Nathan or Dana nominated, but none of us know what will happen.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 9:37pm

Dana Ivey is a fine actress but she was woefully miscast in a role that called for a flibbitygibbet needed for comic relief.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 9:49pm

I honestly found Butley to be an amusing night out. It wasn't great, but Nathan Lane gave a professional performance and Dana Ivey was quite good. But honestly, I think it has a slim chance at any nomination.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 10:05pm

I loved it. I knew I was going to love it when I went in.

Yeah, the moment you stepped into the theatre and the house manager immediately called for increased security, there was no doubt it was going to be a special night.

[wexy]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 10:06pm

No.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:54pm

"Yeah, the moment you stepped into the theatre and the house manager immediately called for increased security, there was no doubt it was going to be a special night."

Indeed they did.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:56am

Hey, MiracleElixir, while I wouldn't go so far as to say that I despise Lane, I'm not a great fan of his and I thought he gave the best performance I've ever seen from him in Butley.

I thought Dana Ivey was just awful, but otherwise the production was well-acted.

But it doesn't have a chance at the Tonys.

I fear that the negative reaction to Lane's performance has convinced him that he should never again try to give a low-key, focused, centered performance.

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 8:19am

I saw it, and would say not much of a chance.....

[SamIAm]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:30pm

Unlike the Oscars, where awards like the Golden Globes are considered a predictor of things to come, the preliminary awards for theater are typically not predictors of how the Tony nominations will go. Having said that, the problem for Butley will be that although in previous years there have been few choices for nominations, this year, there are a lot of plays, revivals and performances to consider. Lane's performance is likely to be overshadowed by Plummer, Langella, etc.

Butley is a complex show that works on many levels and I thought this cast was much better than the cast that supported Lane in Boston. Unfortunately, I think the show may get ignored and there are a lot of people who do not know Lane for any work other than musical comedy, so it would be a shame if he decided not to plan another project that demonstrates his dramatic chops. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens with the TONYs.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:43pm

I would love to see Lane take another stab at drama. Only this time not with a British accent.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:58pm

I hope that Nathan gets a nod. In all honesty, I'm not sure if he will, but I feel he deserves it.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 5:18pm

"I would love to see Lane take another stab at drama. Only this time not with a British accent."

I agree. I would like to see him in a new show. It seems that all that he's been doing is recreating roles made famous by other people.

FORUM and The Producers - Zero Mostel (for which he won his two Tonys)
Butley - Alan Bates
The Odd Couple - Walter Matthau
The Man Who Came to Dinner - Monty Wooley

The only show I have seen him do where he was not recreating a role or playing himself recently, was Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams. And before that it was Love! Valour! Compassion! I wouldn't be surprised if they casted him in the Walter Matthau part in the new Grumpy Old Men musical or if he did a revival of The Sunshine Boys.

Now, I'm not putting him down for his recent performances. I love him in everything I have seen him in and he's an amazing actor. I just think that he should not be recreating roles as often as he does.

Sorry for my rambling. lol.