Is revival the only real Tony race this year?- Page 6

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 5:42pm

To me, the big question looming over the Tony race is: Will ''Shuffle Along'' be categorized as a New Musical or a Revival? Obviously, that will be a sizable factor in those respective categories.

Meantime, ''Spring Awakening'' just got a shot in the arm from the Drama League. The League will give the Deaf West Theatre an award for its Unique Contribution to Theater. Maybe that will help give it a boost in the Tony conversation at nomination time.

Updated On: 3/21/16 at 05:42 PM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 5:46pm

Wayman_Wong said: "To me, the big question looming over the Tony race is: Will ''Shuffle Along'' be categorized as a New Musical or a Revival? Obviously, that will be a sizable factor in those respective categories."

 

Having seen show, it seems pretty clear that Shuffle Along is an original musical. Unless they completely throw out almost all of the material currently in the show and replace it all with scenes from the original 1921 musical, I don't see a scenario in which this is ruled a revival. 

 

[woeisme3]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 6:20pm

Shuffle Along is definitely a new show. I can't see any way they would consider it a revival- the original show isn't presented much whatsoever.

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 6:29pm

I forgot about all of the great performances in Noises Off! That changes everything! The acting categories for plays this year are very exciting.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 6:42pm

bdn223 said: "Danny Burstein: Giving the performance of his carear as Tevye. He has been nominated 5 times already with no wins, he is this year's Kelli O'Hara. CON: His Tevye does not steal the show."

Calling Tevye the performance of Danny's career isn't giving him enough credit. He's consistently delivered stellar performances for years. Had I been a Tony voter in 2012, he would've been my pick for best lead actor in a musical, and I say that having seen all the nominees in his category that year. His work on the stage of the Marquis was nothing short of magical.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 7:13pm

'In regards to American Psycho, it got mixed-to-positive critical reviews in London. I personally wasn't too impressed with the press preview, but we'll see how it plays out. I already know that it is going to be a very hard sell financially.'

 

personally  I thought the press clips looked great and very inventive and original, plus the cast recording is genius.

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/21/16 at 11:18pm

little_sally, I definitely think someone from a closed show can win, but I do think it's easier when there's no frontrunner, and I don't know if there really was last year in Featured Actress. And I agree that I want Houdyshell to win more than anything. While I still need to see Eclipsed, she's giving one of my favorite performances of this season, and she's had such an accomplished career that it would be so great to see her win. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:36am

Am I correct in thinking that (up til now) Supporting Actor in a Musical is arguably the weakest of the acting categories?  Good as they are, I don't see any of the supporting men of FIDDLER, BRIGHT STAR, THE COLOR PURPLE, SPRING AWAKENING or ALLEGIANCE being strong contenders.

 

We have a couple of men from Hamilton -- Jonathan Groff, Daveed Diggs who seem likely nominees.

 

From SHE LOVES ME - maybe Gavin Creel?

 

Are we thus looking to SHUFFLE ALONG, WAITRESS or AMERICAN PSYCHO to potentially fill out this category?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:41am

^ Don't forget Chris Jackson.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:48am

Yikes, it's been almost a year since I saw Hamilton, but Chris Jackson doesn't linger in memory at all for me. Of the rest of the featured men, I'd say Anthony Ramos was the most memorable, but I've already gone on record as saying, great as they are -- I think if Hamilton gets three supporting actor nods it will be because they are just carried on the coat tails of the show being a juggernaut.  It's not like the ladies in FUN HOME last year who each had individual show stopping musical solos that were unforgettable.

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 3/22/16 at 11:48 AM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:53am

Here are my thoughts on Best Featured Actor in a Musical:
Who's In?:
Gavin Creel-She Loves Me
Daveed Diggs-Hamilton
Christopher Jackson-Hamilton

Who Could Join Them?:
Jonathan Groff-Hamilton
Adam Kantor-Fiddler on the Roof
Terrence Mann-Tuck Everlasting
Billy Porter-Shuffle Along...
Kyle Scatlife-The Color Purple

Updated On: 3/22/16 at 11:53 AM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:56am

I would venture to say Groff is a pretty solid, safe bet for a nomination.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:57am

Okay I feel foolish - but I saw HAMILTON the first week at the Public when it was so new and unexpected, I'm sure I was just dumbstruck by the overall experience --  and admittedly haven't really listened to the cast recording since.  What does Christopher Jackson do in the show that is so memorable, and why don't I remember him in vivid detail?

 

Who are the supporting men of WAITRESS and AMERICAN PSYCHO?  In the novel, PSYCHO had a number of great supporting male roles -- not sure if those have translated into the musical.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 11:58am

QueenAlice, take another listen to "One Last Time." That's all you need to justify the Tony nomination Jackson deserves. Tears.

[@z5]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 12:52pm

I would think Isaiah Johnson for feat musical actor for Color Purple over Scatliffe and instead of others to be honest. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 1:10pm

@z5 said: "I would think Isaiah Johnson for feat musical actor for Color Purple over Scatliffe and instead of others to be honest. "

 

I agree. Isaiah had a huge responsibility in the show, the one to make us hate him (a lot), show his vulnerability for Shug, and not make the eventual coming around of Mister seem cheesy. Celie's Curse is not only a very difficult song to sing, it's extremely deep. "How can a man do good, when all he has known is bad?" does not make me shake my head with the typical 'take responsibility for your ****', but believe him and feel bad for the guy. Not pity, he is not asking for it - and he knows he doesn't need it. Harpo is... comical and after a point, just plain annoying. Specially next to so many assertive characters. Kyle's portrayal, while doing justice to the direction, does not make me want to give him an award.


I hope we see more of Isaiah in the future, he's really talented. I'd like to see his take on Jean Valjean or one of the other classical musical theater roles. 


My pick for the win for featured actor is probably going to be Christopher Jackson over Daveed Diggs. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I liked Washington over Jefferson. I unfortunately don't even remember him from Act I even though "Guns & Ships" is one of my favorite jams from the cast album. "One Last Time" and even "History Has It's Eyes On You" make me cry most times I hear them.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 4:29pm

I think the problem American Psycho may run into is that it's not an easy story for audiences to cozy up to.  Audiences certainly didn't embrace the film, the whole saga being a pretty rough ride.  None of which should preclude Walker getting a nod but I am concerned about its commercial prospects.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 3/22/16 at 5:06pm

I would like to see Adam Kantor nominated for Fiddler, I think he's doing great work. 

[DAME]

Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:40am

I keep forgetting about him.  But yes; he is wonderful.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:54am

For Best Actor in a Play... I haven't seen Jesse Tyler Ferguson mentioned, but I wouldn't count him out. We obviously haven't see the performance yet, but given the role itself (and the assumption that he'll do it justice) I would be pretty surprised if he wasn't nominated.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 3/23/16 at 12:04pm

My choice for featured actor in a musical thus far is Daveed Diggs. The presence he brought to Jefferson made his numbers some of the most memorable and exciting in the show for me, and I loved that his physicality was so expressive of the character he created. He oozed charisma.

While I loved Groff, I agree with those who wouldn't place him at the top of their lists for a nomination. Based on what I've seen so far, my other picks would be Gavin Creel, Adam Kantor, and Chris Jackson.

And I know it isn't likely to see much recognition for Spring Awakening, but I'd also love to see Joshua Castille nominated for his Ernst. He embodied the heart of the show and that coming-of-age journey so beautifully. 

Updated On: 3/23/16 at 12:04 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 2:57pm

I still wish they had a replacement category.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 5:22pm

While I think Daveed deserves it (for Jefferson, in particular), I'm very happy to see Kantor getting love. He's amazing!

[jjackworthington]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 9:00pm

Something of note about the Hamilton folk is that they've already been nominated for Lucille Lortels, Drama Desks, OCCs, and Drama League Awards. Remember?

The Lortels rewarded Miranda (not Odom), Soo, Diggs, and Goldsberry. The DDs rewarded Goldsberry. The League nominated Miranda and Diggs. The OCC nominated NONE OF THEM. 

While this is a different season, and I could just be blind/wrong, I do not think Odom has the narrative going that y'all are writing here. I think Burstein will win Actor. Soo will likely be nominated, but there's no way she's winning for a probably featured role against heavyweight, acclaimed performances like Cynthia Erivo and Laura Benanti. The featured boys are in danger of canceling themselves out, though Diggs is probably the best bet. Goldsberry's narrative is best for a Tony win.

On the other hand, it could go the route of The Producers and sweep entirely. Guess we'll find out. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/24/16 at 9:55pm

I think you're right to point out that ''Hamitlon'' won't be eligible for most awards this season, but the Tony voters still will want to have their own say. I imagine we can all name performers who won the Outer Critics and Drama Desk prizes, but then lost at the Tonys. Different nominees, different groups, different tastes.

Updated On: 3/24/16 at 09:55 PM