Julie Andrews declined Tony nomination?- Page 2

[blazey]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 8:31am

You really hit the nail on the head Jules, I whole-heartedly agree. She's a magnificent woman and my love for her only grew after the Tony non decline. Wonderful lady.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 9:40am

I think the nominating committee was correct in only nominating Andrews. I agree with Roscoe that York did an impersonation of Warren from the film, and I hated her new number. I disliked Roberts as well. The only possible supporting nomination, imo, could've been for Jbara, who did a fine job as always. Tabisel and Wise were both terrific supporting actor nominations, imo...though I didnt like their shows either.
The only musicals I liked in 1996 was Noise/Funk (Duquesney was astounding), Rent and King and I.

I disagreed with Andrews' reasons for trying to deny her nomination (they never took her off the ballot), but she had every right to do so, even though I thought it was a bit sour grapey.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 10:26am

I think Rachel York wasn't nominated because she basically lifted her performance from Lesley Ann Warren, down to line readings.

I thought she used a similar vocal style, but I found York's performance actually an improvement on Warren's. But if you think York's performance is too close to Warren's, I'd place the blame on the director. It was pretty obvious he was trying to recreate as much of the film (including the original star performace) as possible.

But yes, even York couldn't turn Paris Makes Me Horny into a likeable song. That was truly embarrassing.

The only musicals I liked in 1996 was Noise/Funk (Duquesney was astounding), Rent and King and I.

Awww...no love for Big or Forum? I thoroughly enjoyed both. And I saw Patti in Master Class twice.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 10:41am

I respectfully disagree, Matt...I certainly didnt see any improvement over Warren's perfect Norma. I have yet to be blown away by York in anything I've seen her in. I disliked her in Putting it Together as well.

Forum was fine...big, not so much.

[Okayfine]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 10:46am

Okay - a few assumptions first, whether or not you agree with me. This is just an explanation of how I drew my conclusion on the matter.
(1) The Tony nominations are a true compliment.
(2) Turning down a compliment is tacky.
(3) Turning down a compliemnt to yourself because your loved one was considered not to deserve it & therefore didn't receive one is illogical.
(4) Turning down a compliment publicly because your loved one didn't receive one which possibly wasn't deserved only draws attention to why your loved one may or may not have deserved the compliment & therefore invites discussion -- much of which will be a further sting to your loved one.

Saying, "I am honored by the nomination & am extremely disappointed & frankly perplexed that the rest of this magificent company & fine show show was overlooked" is better than saying, "If you don't agree with me, then shove it up your collective nose."

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 10:50am

That pretty much sums up my thinking too, Okayfine.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 10:52am

I just went ahead a re-read the reviews (mostly NY Times) of the eligible new shows from that season.

And yes, RENT, SWINGING ON A STAR, CHRONICLES OF A DEATH FORETOLD, and BRING IN DA NOISE received the strongest reviews.

However, York's reviews were glowing. It's such a shame she wasn't nominated. She should have won- just as she won the Drama Desk.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 11:07am

There is a lot of info on this thread:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=897282#2177948

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 11:10am

"I think Rachel York wasn't nominated because she basically lifted her performance from Lesley Ann Warren, down to line readings."

You know, I've seen a number of comments like this, so recently when the original V/V was back on TV I watched it with a particular eye on Warren's Norma. Loved her, for sure, but York's take was definitely her own and worthy of a nom. They were both really funny, but where Warren was a steely, self absorbed conniver, York managed to win your sympathy with a shading of vulnerability. You couldn't help but love her whenever she tried to sound smarter than she was with her malapropisms. Her comic timing was impeccable, and I even think she made Paris Makes Me Horny work. It was completely in keeping with her character, trying to sound worldly wise while mangling the rhymes.

Contrary to doodlenyc, I have been blown away by everything York has done - V/V, Kiss Me Kate, Ragtime, Dessa Rose, Scarlet Pimpernel. Different strokes, I guess.

As far as Julie's declining her nom, she may have felt that this was the only way she could give her colleagues their just recognition. If she accepted the nom but didn't win, she wouldn't have been able to acknowledge them in an acceptance speech. This way she got them some attention. Heck, 12 years later we're still debating it!

I understand that York and Roberts also turned down invitations to be Tony presenters that year, wishing to stand in solidarity with Andrews. I'm sure they have all moved past it by now.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 11:29am

Maybe I am mistaken, but isn't York's lack on nominations known as one of the biggest Tony blunders of all time?

I'm probably being stupid.


And I also am oh so impressed by almost everything Ms. York has done. Her "Miller's Son" from "Putting It Together" is phenomenal.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 12:04pm

ab99,

There are only three shows that Rachel York has done that had her eligible for Tonys - City of Angels, V/V and Sly Fox. The others were replacements - Les Mis, Scarlet Pimpernel, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Well, I guess she would have been eligible for that one-season replacement Tony if she had been in DRS for six months, but I think she was only in it for four.

With any luck Turn of the Century will come into B'way and she'll finally get a nom for originating a leading role in a new musical.