Drama Desk & Now Outer Critics Circle! Go Take That Tony, Prima Donna Diva!

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:16am

Donna Murphy is giving a wonderful acting romp spanning nearly four decades in age. Her German accent and vocals and posture are the work of a master. The brilliant little insecure and neurotic moments that flavor her character are a joy to watch.

You go, Donna!

Congratulations, tying with Audra and both winning Drama Desks!

And now the Outer Critics Circle Award!

Go get that Tony, bebe! Updated On: 5/25/07 at 02:16 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:19am

I highly doubt she will win, Ebersole's performance has way too much buzz to be ignored. Having said that, nothing would make me happier than hearing Donna Murphy's name as they announce the winner...she's a genius of the theater.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:21am

You cannot deny a master for buzz.

[ggersten]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 8:37am

No, but you can deny her if none of the Tony voters actually see her perform. I assume Tony voters get free tickets, but how many nights do they have to sit through LoveMusik before they happen on the one night Donna does perform?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 9:00am

She missed two shows last weekend. Actually one show, since they cancelled one of the performances. But she's been back since Tuesday, so your point,ggersten, is unfounded.

[DirtyRottenGirl]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 9:42am

First of all I agree that Donna Murphy is deserving of the Tony. Im sure the tony voters will take pity in her situation because she is missing the show for legitimate reasons.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:14am

I think Audra deserves that Tony way more than Christine.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:19am

My sentiments exactly, ggesten!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:46am

And me to the list that thinks DONNA MUPRHY's name should be called as Winner on TONY night!

I've said it before and i'll say it again...what Ms. Murphy does with Lenya in LOVEMUSIK is beyond enthralling, completely neauanced, and undoubtedly a mezmerizing experience for theatregoers. I'm not saying Christine wasn't any of those things, but Murphy's character study seems less "acting" to me and more natural than Christine, imho. To be able to think you are actually seeing the true human on that stage (and I felt that way during LM), was unbelievable to me. As a fan of Lenya for years, Muprhy trully NAILS it. It's not an impersantion, its a full embodiment of a human spirit. I just wasnt moved in that same way by Christine.

And for pete sake, she missed 2 performances, and as Smaxie pointed out - just one, since one performance was cancelled. She was obviously sick. Does anyone really think she wanted to miss 2 performances after everything that happened. I'm sure it couldnt have been helped, and I fully am enraptured with her talent. Time and Time again, this is the lady who gives performances that never fails to disapoint me and I think she should be rewarded for it.

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 11:43am

What happened to the good ole days where people tied? I would love nothing more than for Christine Ebersole, Audra McDonald, and Donna Murphy to each take one home for their splendid performance, but since that won't happen I wish Christine or Audra will win. I will die laughing if Laura Bell Bundy's name is called because that just means there is no god, no offense to her. I still think Kristin should be nominated instead of her, or Lea or Ashley or Stephanie, etc.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 11:52am

I've said it before and i'll say it again...what Ms. Murphy does with Lenya in LOVEMUSIK is beyond enthralling, completely neauanced, and undoubtedly a mezmerizing experience for theatregoers.

As a fan of Lenya for years, Muprhy trully NAILS it. It's not an impersantion, its a full embodiment of a human spirit.

And this is why I can't take any of your posts seriously.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:16pm

Foster, that was funny.

Anyways, I haven't seen Murphy, but the clip showed that the German accent was overdone.
And yes, Tony voters, get free tickets.
That Tony belongs to Ebersole, even if there were other great performances on Broadway, Christine is giving an already "legendary" performance, she better win!

[iluvny04]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 1:47pm

Just because Christine's peformance is legendary doesn't mean she win, case in point: both Gypsy and the Sound of Music opened in the same year and both Ethel Merman and Mary Martin were nonminated for their now legendary performances, but Mary won over Ethel. I mean things could go either way Christine, Donna, and Audra all give legendary performances, but my vote goes to Audra, since she is getting if not more priase than Chrsitine for her performance in 110 in the shade

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 1:50pm

"...since she is getting if not more priase than Chrsitine for her performance in 110 in the shade"

Not from reviewers. She got flat out raves, yes. Love letters, definitely. But I don't recall any of the reviewers saying that her performance was going to be one that theatre historians will refer to in years to come.

They said that about Christine.

[iluvny04]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 1:52pm

ok, I was off, but hers a fesh take on a old character that can't be overlooked and i don't care what anyone says about Christine, the Tony will go to Audra.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:00pm

Donna Murphy's role is much harder and more sophisticated and requires more spunk than any of the other roles.

And wow does she wear it wear it well!

Donna's always been one of my favorite sopranos since The King & I, the other soprano being Rebecca Luker, who also, delightfully is nominated for featured as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins. I then had to add two more favorite sopranos when I heard Vicki Clark and Kelli O'Hara. I like a high clear sound. They all have it. How lucky we are to have them continually appearing in shows in NYC to hear them in person.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:03pm

You're such a major bitch, Foster!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:04pm

And damn proud of it, thank you very much!

[AWeekendInTheCountry]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:16pm

"As a fan of Lenya for years, Murphy trully NAILS it. It's not an impersantion, its a full embodiment of a human spirit."

You most likely didn't see Ann Morrison's richer and deeper performance last Sunday. She REALLY nailed it (as Teresa Stratas thought she would)and gave an incredibly masterful performance. Not only does she look and act and sing like Lenya, she brings a vulnerability and clarity to the role.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:32pm

Thank you, Ann. You're still the understudy.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:34pm

Donna Murphy's role is much harder and more sophisticated and requires more spunk than any of the other roles.

I TOTALLY disagree nom. Donna's role is not harder than Ebersole's. First of all, Ebersole is playing not one, but two characters. Secondly, Ebersole's characters go through the same range of emotions as Donna's. Plus Donna's is just an imitation of Lenya, whereas Christine is creating characters. Yes they are also based on real people, but she has way fewer resources and starting material to work with. There is now way you can call Christine's roles unsophisticated!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:37pm

Ok, the Tony not always goes to the best performer, so just because one actress was the best, it doesn't mean she is going to win the Tony.
Anyways, these pre-Tony discussions are pointless, since no one will know what will happen on Tony night, we can just hope for our favorites to win, but no one knows who will win. There are always suprises.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:37pm

The German accent was overdone
Muscle, are you familiar with the real Lenya?

The whole "Ebersole's/Murphy's role is harder" point is pointless when it comes to the Tonys. Case in point, Momma Rose is obviously a much harder role to play than Tracy Turnblad...we all know that unfortunately, Marissa Jaret Winokur won over Bernadette Peters back in '03 proving that it doesn't matter which one's the "harder" role, but who the voters prefer in which role.
I hope Murphy wins, but Ebersole has it in the bag.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:42pm

Oh, yes I can.

Donna is taking on an international, inter-cultural role which requires more levels of knowledge and sophistication to do.

Ebersole is an attractive woman and "Another Winter in a Summer Town" has its moment of charm. I didn't find either of her roles or their sum could reach the grand persona that Donna Murphy has created, replete with personality quirks and neurotic fears, yet with a courage, aggressive drive and bravery that push beyond the human deficits to accomplish goals. I found it magnificent and the most worthy performance by a woman in a musical this season.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 3:45pm

I didn't find either of her roles or their sum could reach the grand persona that Donna Murphy has created, replete with personality quirks and neurotic fears, yet with a courage, aggressive drive and bravery that push beyond the human deficits to accomplish goals.

Really?? We must have seen a different "Grey Gardens," then. Christine creates two women who have flaws ('personality quirks' if you like, particularly in the case of Little Edie), neurotic fears, and courage. Both women she plays have these qualities in spades. They were brave women. And she plays them as vulnerable yet with an inner strength that is incredible. Her turn in both roles does this to the utmost. I am in awe of her performance and I've seen it many times.
On Tony night, I will be sitting there watching her claim the award which she really deserves. She instilled these women with the heart, soul, and voices they so desired in real life.
For a 20 year theatergoer, it's the epitome of why I go to the theater.