LET'S TALK - Featured Actress in a Musical at the Tonys

With the great conversation about the Leading Actress category, I think the Featured Actress category this year is going to be as packed as the Leading Actress one.

This is my opinion below, feel free to chime in:

• Who will win:
  • Renee Elise Goldsberry in Hamilton

• Who will be nominated:
  • Danielle Brooks in The Color Purple
  • Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple
  • Jane Krakowski in She Loves Me
  • Jennifer Simard in Disaster

Updated On: 3/10/16 at 10:04 PM

I did think Joaquina Kalukango's performance was great, but I'm not sure her stage time could compete with some of the other actresses on the list.

I forgot to add my honorable mentions:

Krysta Rodriguez in Spring Awakening

Andrea Burns in On Your Feet

My votes are

SHOO-INs

Jennifer Hudson (WIN)

Danielle Brooks

Krysta Rodruigez

Renee Elise Goldsberry

COULD SNEAK INTO THE FIFTH SPOT

Joaquina Kalakungo

Alice Ripley

Jane Krakowski

Andrea Burns

I've been saying this for a year now, but Renée Elise Goldsberry is giving the most Tony-deserving performance I have seen in years. In terms of a win, I would very much hope she is a total and utter lock.

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BroadwayConcierge said: "I've been saying this for a year now, but Renée Elise Goldsberry is giving the most Tony-deserving performance I have seen in years. In terms of a win, I would very much hope she is a total and utter lock.

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I think she was, until Cynthia Erivo came along. This year is tough for all performance categories"

They're not in the same category...

Gotcha, that makes more sense but really widens the pool of options, so I don't have an answer for that super-category.

Jessetenny, interested in hearing why you believe Jennifer Hudson will win over Renee Elise Goldsberry? (Even after saying you think Renee is giving the best performance after Cynthia)

I wouldn't be surprised to see Keala Settle sneak in there somewhere.

Hudson sang very well but her acting was extremely wooden and uncomfortable. She was the weakest link of that brilliant revival. Goldsberry will win.

They already met. Here's the ruling, but I highly doubt they will be nominated for anything.

Austin P. McKenzie and Sandra Mae Frank will be considered eligible in the Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical categories for their respective performances in Spring Awakening. Dane Laffrey and Lucy Mackinnon will be considered jointly eligible in the Best Scenic Design of a Musical category for their work in Spring Awakening.

"Austin P. McKenzie and Sandra Mae Frank will be considered eligible in the Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical categories for their respective performances in Spring Awakening "

Where does that Katie Boeck? She's available to run for featured actress (featured voice?) or not?

I think the battle for the award is between Jennifer Hudson and Renee. It will be either or. I'm not so sure Renee is a lock I've heard great things about Renee in Hamilton but I've heard great reviews from my friends who have seen the Color Purple, and said Jennifer Hudson is Divine in the production. Also people who have seen it twice say that Jennifer is making leaps and bounds in her improvement of the role and now she completely owns it. So it might come down to when the voters see Jennifer, because if they are seeing her in her current form the Tony might be hers. And it seems the so called "Wooden" performance from Jennifer in the beginning seems to be a conscious choice, just going off of what I've heard. So my vote is for Jennifer lol. Shes bringing a warmth and vulnerability to a role that usually considered very tough, raunchy, and brazen.

Jshan05 said: "cuz-i-can said: "I think the battle for the award is between Jennifer Hudson and Renee. It will be either or. I'm not so sure Renee is a lock I've heard great things about Renee in Hamilton but I've heard great reviews from my friends who have seen the Color Purple, and said Jennifer Hudson is Divine in the production. Also people who have seen it twice say that Jennifer is making leaps and bounds in her improvement of the role and now she completely owns it. So it might come down to when the voters see Jennifer, because if they are seeing her in her current form the Tony might be hers. And it seems the so called "Wooden" performance from Jennifer in the beginning seems to be a conscious choice, just going off of what I've heard. So my vote is for Jennifer lol. Shes bringing a warmth and vulnerability to a role that usually considered very tough, raunchy, and brazen."

I agree with your observation about this. I am also thinking her star power and huge name will work in her favor come Tony times. I guess only time will tell. I'm anxious to hear what actual Tony voters are thinking in a few months when they cast their vote!

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The star power for sure will work in her favor, we all know how the Tony's love when Hollywood comes to Broadway but this time it would be justifiable for Jennifer because I hear she's simply amazing. I also love how she brings a feminine quality to the role of shug. The other productions Ive seen from this show the actresses made the choice to play her very butch and aggressive, which sometimes makes it hard for that productions Celie to have a major impact. I feel what Cynthia and Jennifer have done with their performances really compliment the strengths of the Color Purple and their characters. And I would honestly love to see her one more award closer to the legendary EGOT!

Helping Jennifer Hudson get an EGOT is not justification whatsoever for potentially denying Renée Elise Goldsberry of a Tony this year. Stop talking about it until you've seen her performance. Only then can you understand.