Does Chenoweth have a chance to give Ebersole a run for her money?

[bjivie2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:52pm

With Kristin's raves for tonight (and I'm sure there are more to come), is it possible that she's closing in on Christine Ebersole for possibly taking Best Actress? Thoughts?


And for reference, the Best Actress nominees...

Christine Ebersole for GREY GARDENS *lock*
Kristin Chenoweth for THE APPLE TREE *lock*
Audra McDonald for 110 IN THE SHADE *lock* - hasn't opened, but it's Audra
Donna Murphy for LOVE MUSIK *lock* - same as Audra
Stephanie J Block for THE PIRATE QUEEN
Laura Bell Bundy for LEGALLY BLONDE
Charlotte D'Amboise for A CHORUS LINE
Ashley Brown for MARY POPPINS
Jane Krakowski for XANADU (if she's in the show)
Lea Michele for SPRING AWAKENING (or is she featured?)
Debra Monk for CURTAINS (featured?)
Jen Colella for HIGH FIDELITY


edited: left out Donna Murphy

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 10:52 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:54pm

Monk is leading and you left out one of the front-runners for a nod, Donna Murphy for LoveMusik.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:54pm

It's still no contest for Ebersole. This award's been hers since they announced a transfer. As good as Kristin was (and she was damn good), it will have been long forgotten about come Tony time, though will still get a well deserved nomination.
Updated On: 12/14/06 at 10:54 PM

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:00pm

It depends on how the Tony committee feels about Chenoweth. If they are like the official reviews, then Cheno has a nomination almost locked and might give Ebersole some competition. However, if they are like some vocal BWW users, then Cheno has to fight for a nomination, and that would be a victory in itself.

BTW, isn't it amazing that we have so much competition this season in this category?

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 11:00 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:07pm

To me the real competition will be about that fifth slot left after Chenoweth, Ebersole, McDonald, and Murphy are nominated. If Krakowski is indeed cast in Xanadu and if the show surprises everyone and turns out to be decent, she'll probably snag that fifth slot.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:12pm

Why do I have the urge to watch Olivia Newton John sing now?

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 12:31am

That category alone is going to make this a much-needed interesting year for the TONYS. Can anyone remember the last time a single category was so saturated with deserving nominees? I love the fact that most of the front-runners have already won a TONY or 3 in the past, thus leveling out the politics of the whole thing a little.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 12:35am

I think Ebersole has it in the bag.

I also think this could be the year for a tie...

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 12:36am

I would be happy with either. :]

[bjivie2]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 12:46am

What about in 2004 when we had Idina vs Kristin vs Tonya vs Donna. That was a really close year, too.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 1:01am

Cheno is a no no in this role, despite Brantley's overpraising.

[bella cantato]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 1:46am

Steph really, really, really deserves a nod at the very least... I'm crossing my fingers for her.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 1:49am

I don't think Murphy's a lock in such a competitive year. I'm not saying she won't get one. She probably will. But I wouldn't say it's a lock. If her show is deemed dull, which might happen, she could easily get passed over given some of the other shows that are coming in.

Most everything I've heard suggests that Monk will probably be in featured.

One thing making a Chenoweth win unlikely is that her show will be gone by then, barring a transfer. I don't know that much of an extension (or a transfer) will be feasible, though if something like that happened, it would increase her chances.

But I'd be pretty sure no one can beat Ebersole. Chenoweth's getting great reviews so far, but Ebersole got once-in-a-generation reviews. I don't think I've ever read reviews quite like those Ebersole received.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 1:49am

Chenoweth has nothing on Ebersole, but since when do the Tonys recognize excellence?

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 6:10am

Cheno is a no no in this role, despite Brantley's overpraising.

Brantley was one of many praising Chenoweth in this role. Despite how hard you try to convince people otherwise, sometimes you just have to give up before you sound like a broken record spewing sour grapes.

That said...I don't think she can beat Ebersole. Ebersole was pretty much given the Tony with the reviews she's gotten.

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 8:32am

I agree with Curtainpull and Munk, while Brantley has this inexplicable obsession for Cheno, she's only proven to myself and MANY others that she can't carry a show, period. But, since the Tony nominators have no taste or sense of their own, it always comes down to popularity. I still don't think Cheno has a chance of winning. Colella is no where in the running and Bundy has to give an absolutely over the top brilliant performance to get in there. It's a very crowded and competitive category this year unlike seasons past where they were looking for slot fillers.

[lildogs]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 9:57am

Another problem for Cheno will be that her show won't be up for the same number of awards that GG will be eligible for and since APPLE TREE probably won't win Best Revival, she won't be bolstered by any kind of a sweep.

If they don't put her in featured, I think Lea has a great shot. I don't think Donna is a lock either--I'll wait for the show.

[fengshuihellnyc]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 10:12am

Not even CLOSE!!!!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:01am

TECHNICALLY, if you're including Colella on the list, you should include Lisa Brescia too.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:09am

I believe Ebersole has it locked as well.

About Krakowski in Xanadu, doesn't she have a commitment to 30 Rock?

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:56am

I think Stephanie J. Block has a sure nomination.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 2:41pm

I think Chenoweth will definitely give Ebersole some stiff competition.

And seriously... last year it was all about Lupone and everyone was positive she was going to win the Tony and look what happened...

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 3:01pm

In the words of another certain Chenoweth character, "Please. Don't make me laugh."

Christine Ebersole already owns the award. Period. The same way that Helen Mirren owns her Oscar (finally)!

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 3:07pm

i hope ashley brown is NOMINATED

[jv92]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 3:09pm

No. Not a chance. Chenoweth plays the same kewpie doll in every show. Ebersole's performance is so totally different from anything she's ever done. It's also a helluva lot better performed that Chenoweth's. And did I mention Ebersole's show is better?