Drama League 2023 Distinguished Performance Award — Page 2

Some miscellaneous thoughts:

Pretty sure these are new rules, and they’re very confusing. Some of the ones they deemed “different enough” seem kind of arbitrary. I have to wonder if, in fact, some of these productions (especially Merrily) simply didn’t invite the voters.

Of the people I DID predict, who did NOT get in, the ones I’m most disappointed/surprised by are:
--Shannon Tyo – while none of her individual performances were necessarily knockout roles, she is on an incredible hot streak right now in the Off-Broadway sphere, and since the Drama League’s acknowledge multiple performances per nomination if applicable, I’m surprised they didn’t go for her. FWIW I also think she’s one of the most skilled actors working in NYC right now.
--Nobody from Raisin in the Sun?
--Nobody Seagull / Woodstock?
--Grace McLean – Bad Cinderella
--Quincy Tyler Bernstein - Evanston Salt Costs Climbing
--Wendell Piece – Death of a Salesman

Of people I did NOT predict, who DID get in, I’m most happy about:
--Marylouise Burke -- Epiphany. Loved that play, and I forgot it was eligible
--Brittany Bradford – Wedding Band. A fantastic performance, again forgot it was eligible
--Jordan E. Cooper – Ain’t No Mo
--Esco Jouley – Wolf Play

No he’s not. The list on the first page is just predictions. He was shut out and DOAS was not nominated for best revival

Those are the nominees also eligible for the Tonys:

*Actress in Musical*
Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods
Lorna Courtney, & Juliet
Micaela Diamond, Parade
Patina Miller, Into the Woods
Phillipa Soo, Camelot
Anna Uzele, New York, New York

*Actor in Musical*
J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot
Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Colton Ryan, New York, New York
Will Swenson, A Beautiful Noise

Featured Actor in Musical
Alex Newell, Shucked

Featured Actress in Musical
Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet

I couldn't agree more! Further more, how does the league get away nominating shows that haven't even opened? Look, I know awards are mostly a political farce, but this is simply absurd beyond words.

I was somewhat surprised to not see Burnap or Donica nominated.

JSquared2 said: "Alex Newell has already opted to be submitted in the Featured Actress category -- so there goes that part of your theory."

This is incorrect. Per this article, "BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Alex Newell, who identifies as gender nonconforming and plays a woman in SHUCKED, has also requested to be considered in that category. "After consultation with Alex, the production submitted them for Featured Actor."

HeyMrMusic said: "Without strong contenders fromKimberly Akimboin the mix here, I wouldn’t call anyone a frontrunner solely based on this list. Victoria Clark, Bonnie Milligan, and Justin Cooley are still very much threats for the Tony. It sort of feels like the yearThe Band’s Visitswept the acting awards while they were ineligible at the other ceremonies."

I wouldn't consider 3/4 a "sweep" since it had no nods for Featured Actress (which went to Lindsay Mendez for CAROUSEL)

Well Victoria Clark isn't eligible for this year's Drama League award, and I feel like while they do usually select a very good performance, it isn't necessarily the best performance of the season, but more just someone they want to honor in a broader sense. I don't know if this is the year for Christian Borle to get it, but I don't think it's out of question for him to be in contention either, though I think J. Harrison Ghee probably has equal if not greater chance. I think Jefferson Mays and Stephen McKinley Henderson are probably in the running too.

I'm also surprised at the exclusion of Wendell Pierce

I wouldn’t take the DL nominations, or lack thereof of those whose performances warrant obvious recognition, too seriously.

There are so many omissions that defy credulity, I would take these with less than a grain of salt!

I would love nothing more than for Marla Mindelle to win.

I think with the absence of Victoria Clark, it’s going to be Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jodie Comer, or Annaleigh Ashford.

• 'A Doll's House' wins Outstanding Revival of a Play

• deBessonet wins Direction of a Musical (ITW)

• Kauffman wins Direction of a Play (TSISBW)

• 'Into the Woods' wins Outstanding Revival of a Musical

• 'Leopoldstadt' wins Outstanding Play

• 'Some Like It Hot' wins Outstanding Musical

• Annaleigh Ashford wins Distinguished Performance for 'Sweeney Todd'

jacobsnchz14 said: "Annaleigh Ashford has won the Distinguished Performance Award!"

Well deserved for her extraordinary performance!

I have not seen this production, and I have loved Ashford in everything I have seen her in; however, I am shocked...I remember a number of critics saying she was dangerously close to or being completely over the top, and that her diction wasn't great in the songs, i.e., the lyrics were not always comprehensible. I cant say that I am disappointed, however. I also thought that Comer was dangerously close to overacting. Of the performances I have seen, I thought Chastain gave the best performance; but I have missed some eligible highly acclaimed, frequently limited engagement performances, including those of Hayes, Henderson,and the Top Dog gents.

I am in the camp that thought that Clark gave a terrific performance, but I don't think it is awful that she didn't win, Mrs. Lovett is certainly a meaty role that allows a solid performer to shine.