How do you figure it's "Idina's Tony" when she's lost every single award up to this point? I also don't see how you could say that "obviously Idina is much more of a standout in her role" when she is the co-lead of her show, while Donna is THE one-and-only, name-above-the-title star of hers. "Wonderful Town" was a star-vehicle written for Rosalind Russell and the role of Ruth really is the whole show.
Vote splitting is a total myth --someone over at ATC did a statistical analysis of what happens when two (or more) performers from the same show are nominated against each other at the Tonys and found that more than half of the time, one of the two have ended up winning the award (there's TONS of examples, check the Tony site). In other words, Kristen and Idina are not hurting each others' chances. This is a strong year for Lead Actresses in Musicals and all five have their fans. So far the critics' pick has been Donna Murphy, so if there is a favorite at this point, it's her. How will the 735 Tony voters go? It's truly anybody's guess -- but nothing so far would indicate that Idina could in any way be considered a favorite over the others.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
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"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
Updated On: 5/17/04 at 06:42 PM