Featured Actor In A Musical Speculation- Page 4

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 4:13pm

Everyone who complains about how long McMartin is on stage should remember how long Adriane Lenox was on stage in DOUBT.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 4:18pm

I don't think it is more a matter of time but a matter of impression.

Whether Lennox wowed me like she did in 5 minutes or 30 minutes, she still blew me away and the fact of the matter is that she did it in what? 15 minutes? less probably. No matter what, she deserved the win in my book. She left a better impression on me than Goldenhersh did who was onstage for the majority of the play.

McMartin does not have the same material Lennox did, nor does he have the punch in the role that she had. McMartin has the great scene with Edith and does a great job with what he has, but neither he nor the role is award worthy to me over some of the other possible nominees.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 4:30pm

Norm Lewis was ruled eligible for Best Actor, not Featured.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 5:20pm

C is for Company says it perfectly. It's not a matter of time on the stage. McMartin simply does not leave a lasting impression, and his Act 1 song is easily the most forgettable in the show. He won't win.

MimiJudith, I too hated Fame Becomes Me (both times I saw it) but I wouldn't rule out Brooks just yet. THe Tonys have a history of nominating the funny man who spoofs on well known Broadway icons (a.k.a. Tommy Tune). I wouldn't want him to win, but I am just saying don't rule him out yet.

[jv92]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 8:38pm

Well, he left an impression on me. He will win. He's a vet and one without a Tony at that.

[jg4892]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 8:43pm

Again, if you want to honor his previous work, give him a lifetime achievement award. the tonys are about THIS year's shows.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 8:44pm

This year is so competitive that they will definitely not be giving any awards to honor previous work.
Updated On: 3/30/07 at 08:44 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 8:47pm

McMartin has been nominated 5 Tonys. He will be nominated out of respect. I don't know if he deserves the award or not, because I haven't seen GG yet.

But he is an amazing legendary actor/performer, and the last lead living from the OBC of Follies. He should get some award just for that! The little twats of today have no idea who he is, and should do some research on the legendary man. Updated On: 3/30/07 at 08:47 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 9:41pm

I ask you younger people- DID YOU SEE HIM IN FOLLIES? Did you see him in the role he was completely snubbed for? Completely.
Probably not. Oh and the old site that can't be named clips don't do much justice. You had to see it. He was spectacular. And snubbed. Oh I might as well shut up about this.
Anyway, remember how Brian Stokes Mitchell lost a well deserved Tony for Ragtime a few years ago? Sad, but Alan Cumming did some great work. Remember how a few years later he won for some very good, but not as good as Ragtime work in Kiss Me, Kate? I suppose he didn't deserve that award.
I suppose Irving Berlin winning for Call Me Madam over Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls was a travesty too. I suppose that a bunch of people winning awards for lesser work because they were great in the past are all kind of travesties. But Mr. McMartin is one vet who deserves that sort of award more than anyone. Not only is this his best work since Follies, but he has been snubbed so many times in the past for great work (ESPECIALLY Follies) I say give him the prize!
Updated On: 3/30/07 at 09:41 PM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 11:12pm

Who the hell do half of you think you are? I really hope you aren't passing me off as some fool who doesn't know what the hell FOLLIES is. If any of those posts are aimed at me, I really hope you withdraw the condescension...

Like I've said before, Best Featured Actor in a musical is NOT the same thing as LIFETIME achievement award. If it was, please Tony commitee, honor the man. Considering I DO know how great he is in Follies.

edit; ahem, now that I actually have the time to elaborate and address things more fully. Yes I have been aware of the committee to be as whirlwind as any other opinionated award show and that they in fact have no problem passing out an honor for recognizing previous excellence.

However, some of what I've read here is ridiculous. An award for being the last survivor of the Big Four? Please, I like the man just as much as any and acknowledge his consistently admired performances, but "twats?" Come on, who are you to be high and mighty? Nobody was saving you a seat in the Winter Garden 36 years ago last time I checked.

And Jv, not all of us have had the privilege to be conceived pre-1971 to get our asses in there. I guess that just because I didn't see him live means that reading an entire memoir on the entire production, memorizing 7 different recordings ranging from Boston conception to 2007, studying over 50 minutes of original footage, or any other bootlegs to get a good analysis of the material doesn't constitute as knowing the glory of McMartin or of Follies itself. How sad that is....

Updated On: 3/31/07 at 11:12 PM

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 11:19pm

Jason Daniely is doing a nice job in Curtains though his part could be larger. He's an excellent singer.

Brantley claims he is the best tenor currently on Broadway. That may be true for the musicals that have opened this year that are still playing, though I haven't seen all the new shows.
Updated On: 3/30/07 at 11:19 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 11:21pm

jv, your post is very odd.

I'm not doubting that McMartin was breathtaking in everything he's ever done.

But I feel that he doesn't even deserve a nomination this year - he's in a nothing role, and he makes almost no impression.

He will be nominated out of respect - as someone else said - but he absolutely shouldn't win the award.

I'm all for McMartin winning a Tony - but not one for a different show to make up for a snub 35 years ago. And I seriously doubt that any of today's voters will be taking FOLLIES into consideration.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 11:25pm

Was Guys and Dolls even nominated for Best Score?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 3/30/07 at 11:33pm

Doesn't look like the Tony database on here even has the nominations for Score for 1951.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 12:35am

The Tonys didn't name nominees for each category until the mid-50s -- they just announced the winners (which is why the ceremonies in those days took less than an hour to get through). GUYS & DOLLS did win for Best Musical (and I believe that Loesser, Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling got statuettes along with the producer for that honor), however the Best Score Award that year went to Irving Berlin for CALL ME MADAM.

Updated On: 3/31/07 at 12:35 AM