Idina Menzel didn't get an Olivier Award WTF??

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 7:43am

Isn't it interesting how Idina Menzel and Helen Dallimore didn't receive Olivier nominations for their performances in the first London production of 'Wicked', or even how none of the succeeding Glindas/Elphabas have EVER been nominated for an Olivier. I say that since the Oliviers can honour replacements in shows that run a long time... Just a thought

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 9:05am

Miss Saigon didn't get an Olivier. It was beaten by Return To The Forbidden Planet...'nuff said.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 10:41am

Why do people say "'nuff said"? It's so pretentious and completely unattractive. I don't know why anyone wants to be "that guy" when other valid opinions are so readily available. Like this one...

Every single thing about Return to the Forbidden Planet was f***ing brilliant. The show utilized every single trend in 1989 that didn't become popularized until ten years later (jukebox musical + actors/musicians combo, EXCEPT the actors traded musical instruments with each number, so they all had to be able to play almost every instrument). It was ahead of its time, completely unique, hilarious, and wildly entertaining with a cast so musically talented, most Broadway performers would weep in shame. Miss Saigon was big and pretty and dramatic, but in terms of writing, innovation and creativity, it was far behind Forbidden Planet, even without an original score.

Oh yeah, and Wicked wasn't nominated for Best Musical in London, either. Funnily enough, Avenue Q and Spamalot were both nominated that year (along with a revised production of Porgy and Bess that didn't qualify as a revival) and didn't win. Caroline, or Change won that year and I think that's great. Wicked was only nominated for direction, sets, lighting and costumes.

Luckily, Legally Blonde and Sheridan Smith won this year which was well-deserved and delighted me to no end.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 10:50am

Menzel already robbed Tonya Pinkins of a Tony so I'm pretty sure she doesn't need anymore awards.

[CONAries]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 11:36am

Simple answer to this, the Olivier's award genuine talent, and unlike the Tony's, doesnt just jump on the bandwagon of whats popular, and present the award to who ever will get the best PR coverage.

Best example of this, it's often used, but it makes a point, last year Spring Awakening swept the awards, even though it flopped in London and had closed 10 months prior to the award ceremony, it won because it was the best thing!

[SoonerOrLater]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 11:40am

Quite agree CONAries. For me the Oliviers have always been about legitimate, usually innovative theatre adn rewarding talent, I love Idina and saw her in the role many times but Caroline or Change is a superior piece of theatre, it's also more in line with what the Olivier voters go for year on year.

That said, the voting is about a panel of people's personal preference, and perhaps Idina just wasn't their cup of tea doesn't mean she wasn't very popular with audiences here.

[CONAries]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 12:13pm

I've got to say, while a huge supporter of all types of theatre, I am a "fan" of Wicked, I find it a highly faulted show, but much like Legally Blonde, I find it a fantastic "feel good" show and I did see Idina 3 times in her run, (ive seen the show 26 times to date) and must say I found her performance wooden and un-imaginative, especially compared to some of the other nominees that year.

[Lefou]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 1:30pm

"the Olivier's award genuine talent, and unlike the Tony's, doesnt just jump on the bandwagon of whats popular, and present the award to who ever will get the best PR coverage."

...and your explanation of Legally Blonde winning best musical this year is...

Posted: 3/30/11 at 1:39pm

When I like the show that wins, they reward artistic merit. When I don't, they pander to the lowest common denominator. Nuff said?

[CONAries]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 1:49pm

Because, compared to the other shows in the running, Legally Blonde was the best new Musical, and Sherridan Smith was an OUTSTANDING actress.


Legally Blonde, though was the same production as opened on Broadway, took a very different light, it didnt pretend to be this big serious wonder, it knew it was abit of cheesy fun, and marketed it in that way, it did its job brilliantly, and deserves the award to celebrate that!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 1:56pm

the Olivier's award genuine talent, and unlike the Tony's, doesnt just jump on the bandwagon of whats popular, and present the award to who ever will get the best PR coverage

That is the most spectacular misuse of apostrophes I've ever seen in one sentence. Kudos! It's like a fourth-grade grammar quiz. And I disagree with your comment about the Tonys. You never know which way they are going to go. Passion won over Beauty and the Beast. Avenue Q won over Wicked. Sometimes it's the runaway hit. Sometimes it's the show with the best reviews. Sometimes it's the little show that could. Sometimes it's just generally received as the best show of the season. Regardless, there will never be universal agreement over any winner any season. Ever. So the voters will vote how they vote and the show with the most votes will win. Voter trends change every few seasons and sometimes you get a close race (Kiss of the Spider Woman/Tommy), outrage (Two Gentlemen of Verona), or no surprise whatsoever (The Producers).

...and your explanation of Legally Blonde winning best musical this year is...

Because it deserved the win. If you only saw the Broadway production, it's not the same. I saw both live and London was FAR superior. Tighter direction, sharper focus, broader emotional range, and a genuine star-turn nuanced performance from Sheridan Smith put the show on top. It went fun bubble-gum fluff to classic musical comedy with just a few subtle, but hugely resonant changes. Honestly, it was like seeing a completely new show. I thought it was ok before, but in London, I was floored. I've seen a LOT of West End musicals over the past 13 years and Legally Blonde was one of the most perfect productions I've seen. Maybe second only to the Cam Mack revival of My Fair Lady (original cast), a show a never really liked that much before.

[Patash]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 2:27pm

MisterMatt, too funny on the use of apostrophes. (Or should I say apostrophe's?) I generally overlook simple typing errors or even common grammatical errors, but it's kind of hard to take seriously anyone who really doesn't have a clue regarding the difference between a plural and a possessive -- or a contraction for that matter. It's one thing to have been absent the day they were talked about in English class, but for that kind of gross misuse, someone must have missed a couple years of English classes.

But to the subject at hand -- does anyone consider comparing Ms. Menzel's performance with those who were nominated and/or won? It doesn't make sense to question her being overlooked simply based on competition back here across the pond.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 2:37pm

Isn't it interesting

Only if interesting now means uninteresting.

[CONAries]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 2:38pm

Very good point, the actresses nominated that year were:


Nicola Hughes for The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess at the Savoy
Tonya Pinkins for Caroline, Or Change at the National Theatre Lyttelton
Elena Roger for Evita at the Adelphi
Jenna Russell for Sunday In The Park With George at the Wyndham's
Hannah Waddingham for Monty Python's Spamalot at the Palace


All things considered, Idina didn't stand a chance, she was against a plethora talented actresses who all equally deserved the award!

And about my misuse of the apostrophe, no I wasn't very good at grammar at school, never have been and never will master it, however, after a long, stressful, tiring day at work, I must be allowed a few mistakes, no?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 2:57pm

No worries. I just thought the apostrophe thing was genuinely funny. I just have a stupid OCD thing about apostrophes and it was so backwards, it struck me as hilarious. Don't sweat it.

[roseaddams]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 2:57pm

I always assumed that Tonya Pinkins won Best Actress that year because 'Caroline, or Change' got the Best Musical award. I forgot that was the year that 'Sunday in the Park with George' swept almost everything.

[CONAries]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 3:06pm

"No worries. I just thought the apostrophe thing was genuinely funny. I just have a stupid OCD thing about apostrophes and it was so backwards, it struck me as hilarious. Don't sweat it.'

Don't worry, I wasn't serious, besides, i'm crap with grammar, however, don't get me started on bad semantics, I'll be going for hours!!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 4:12pm

I promise to try and do good if you promise to work on your apostrophe's.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 4:22pm

roseaddams, Caroline or Change didn't get the Tony for Best Musical that year. The honor went to Avenue Q.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 4:27pm

"Luckily, Legally Blonde and Sheridan Smith won this year which was well-deserved and delighted me to no end."

'Nuff said...

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 4:29pm

roseaddams, Caroline or Change didn't get the Tony for Best Musical that year. The honor went to Avenue Q.

I believe roseaddams meant the Oliviers, where Caroline or Change DID win Best Musical.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 4:38pm

Thanks, givesmevoice.

[roseaddams]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 6:00pm

Yes, Kalimba, I was. Though in hindsight I really should have put the word 'Oliviers' in there somewhere. =D

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 6:01pm

Idina won the Audience Award that year. She was pretty much well received that year by the critics, but it was the audiences that REALLY loved her performance. Again, all the ladies that year were incredibly talented. I kind of hate award shows anyway. Just like who you want to like and give everyone some credit/respect and call it a day

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/30/11 at 6:03pm

And I meant the London Audience Award, not the Broadway.com Audience Award (which she also won in 2004 for her Broadway performance).