Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:39am
Category fraud is a much more heated topic among Oscar people then Broadway fans, but it got me to thinking: Is Clara in The Light In The Piazza a leading role or at least a co-lead? The story revolves so much around the romance between Clara and Fabrizo and the issues surrounding it, even though Margaret is the center of the story.
Posted: 5/16/17 at 5:19am
Because the historu of the Tonys has to do with billing, not the size of the role.
Posted: 5/16/17 at 5:43am
Yes, but let's put that aside just for the purpose of the question which is whether or not the role of Clara should be considered a leading role based on her impact on the story I.E the story can't exist without her, she leads the story, ect.
Posted: 5/16/17 at 5:56am
A few things. First, it would have been foolish to put Clark an O'Hara against each other. Clark was the clear winner out of the gate. O'Hara had a much better chance in Featured ( and should have won for her brilliantly nuanced performance over Ramirez who gave a showy but one dimensional performance). Also, featured really isn't the same as supporting, at least in my book. Since Clark and O'Hara were both below the title, they had to petition Clarkbto leading. It just made no sense to try to get both ladies up there. And while Clara is central to the plot, it's really Margaret's story being told. But there are many cases in Tony and Oscar history of performers being put in featured/supporting category so 2 in the same show aren't against each other and likely splitting votes. I don't think this was one of those such cases.
Posted: 5/16/17 at 7:29am
The role of Clara is a supporting role.
Posted: 5/16/17 at 7:52am
Margaret is clearly the center of the musical The Light in the Piazza; the show is primarily about her, what she does, how she changes. Clara is a very big supporting role.
