Maria Friedman in WOMAN IN WHITE and Jenna Russell in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE cannot be compared though. WOMAN IN WHITE was disliked by critics and audiences, the show itself was not necessarily an effective Tony award-vehicle. Plus, given Friedman's battle with cancer she had to be out of the show on a constant basis which could have hurt her chances.
Jenna Russell is making her Broadway debut in a show that is considered one of the most brilliant of the cannon, in a production that has great buzz from the West End (unlike WOMAN IN WHITE), and in a performance that beat the likes of Tonya Pinkins' brilliant turn in CAROLINE OR CHANGE for the Olivier Award. She is definitely a strong contender and presents serious competition to LuPone--if the GYPSY rumors are true.
Faith Prince got positive notices across the board for A CATERED AFFAIR in San Diego so she is another one to look out for. In other words, LuPone does not have the Tony in the bag as everyone seems to think (remember the '06 awards?).
Now, Laura Benanti SHOULD get the Tony, her performance as Louise was insanely fantastic and I hope Leigh Ann Larkin gets a nomination.
What does this mean for Laura Benanti's show on ABC though?
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
