I know I'm late to the party - but why did David Hyde Pierce beat Raul?

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:31pm

I was not a member then (and I know I could search) but looking back on it now, why do you think DHP beat Raul E.?

[dramarama2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:32pm

Tribute to Kander & Ebb

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:33pm

Simple reason, in a nutshell: More people voted for Pierce than Esparza.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:34pm

You are going to be chastised by a lot of people for bringing this up, but perpetual outrage on this issue is fine by me as every actor in the category deserved it more than Pierce, especially Raul.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:35pm

Pierce gave the best performance out of the five nominees.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:36pm

I think the "Kander & Ebb" thing definitely played a part in it. I rarely use this phrase, but Esparza was in fact robbed that year.

As was Tonya Pinkins, but that's a completely different topic. And one that PISSES me off to this day.

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:38pm

I really don't care about being chastised. Another post on here tonight talked about that being a major Tony upset and since there are so many "young N2N teenagers" on the board who were still in diapers when this went down . . . .

young minds want to know -

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:39pm

Curtains had to win something, and the voters probably figured that Company's award for revival would be Raul's reward, since he basically WAS the show.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:39pm

You are going to be chastised by a lot of people for bringing this up, but perpetual outrage on this issue is fine by me as every actor in the category deserved it more than Pierce, especially Raul.

Like...Gavin Lee?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:40pm

Young Minds:
Meet The Search Function

Updated On: 8/5/09 at 08:40 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:40pm

bwaybri2, don't worry about being chastised. If people don't want to take part in a discussion they shouldn't open the damn thread.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:44pm

The only thing I hate more than people who come here with supposedly 'stupid posts and opinions' are the b i t c h e s of BWW who bully and chastise them.

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:44pm

Wanna be a Forester:

I'm not looking for yesterday's reaction - I'm looking for todays.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:48pm

I'm not really sure I think it has to do with the fact DHP is a known celebrity and Raul isn't. I think that had something to do with it.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:49pm

"Like...Gavin Lee?"

Yes, I thought Gavin Lee gave a wonderful and memorable performance for what the role afforded him. I can't remember anything about what Pierce did in Curtains.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 8:52pm

He played Niles (AKA himself)

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:02pm

Both Pierce and Raul gave superb performances. If Raul won, it would have been fine, but I'm fine with Pierce winning too.

If you REALLY want see blood boil over, you could follow up your question with "Why did Marissa Jaret Winokur beat Bernadette Peters?"

Updated On: 8/5/09 at 09:02 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:19pm

"I'm not looking for yesterday's reaction - I'm looking for todays."

Well, yesterday's reaction will pretty much be the same today. This has already been beaten to death (as you mentioned, you were late to the party), and you could have bumped up an older thread if you wanted to pursue the topic further.

More people voted for David Hyde Pierce. Simple. It is a matter of opinion and slightly more Tony voters chose Pierce's performance over Raul's.

Because so many people on this board were enthralled by Raul's performance, people reacted like it was the end of the world when he lost. BWW members seemed to be biased towards deep, intellectual shows versus big, "showtuney" tourist shows. I don't see what the big deal is. People forget to realize the different opinions that exist in the theater world and that there is really no "right" or "wrong." I heard good and bad things about Pierce's and Raul's respective performances.

In the end, I can't give a fair judgment about who should have won. Unfortunately, I missed Raul in Company. I did see David Hyde Pierce in Curtains and thought he gave a consistent and entertaining performance. Maybe the voters felt the same way and voted for him.

Updated On: 8/5/09 at 09:19 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:20pm

Yes, the real thread is how did Marissa beat Bernadette and how did Eyedeena beat Tonya????? Did anyone see her perform "Lot's Wife"???? Sweet Lord!!!!!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:45pm

While totally in Raul's camp re: the Tony Award, may I point out some other Tony disgraces:

Streetcar Named Desire lost out to Mr. Roberts;
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof lost out to The Desperate Hours;
Jason Robards in Moon for the Misbegotten (one of the the greatest performances EVER) lost out to Michael Moriarity in Find Your Way Home;
Ethel Merman in Gypsy lost out to Mary Martin in Sound of Music;
Gypsy lost out to both Fiorello and Sound of Music;
Christoper Plummer in King Lear lost out to Jefferson Mays in I Am My Own Wife;

and the list goes on.

Updated On: 8/5/09 at 09:45 PM

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:54pm

My personal Tony peeve:
Daniel Breaker in PASSING STRANGE losing to Boyd Gaines in GYPSY.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:55pm

^ I don't see how they could have even put Breaker in that category and not LEADING actor.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 10:03pm

I'm sure that by putting him in the Featured category, they thought he had a good shot (at least better than going against Szot). I really thought Breaker was going to win.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 10:07pm

Simple answer: Pierce gave a MUCH better performance that Esparza. Pierce was outstanding in an OK show, Esparza was good in a terrific show.

I listen to the Broadway channel on Sirius/XM all the time, and Esparza singing Being Alive is one of the few songs that compel me to change stations.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 10:12pm

Pierce was doing a cartoon for several hours, at least at the performance I went to. I agree he was better than the show though. Esparza's Being Alive is one of the best cast recording tracks of my lifetime.
Updated On: 8/5/09 at 10:12 PM