LETS TALK - Leading Actress in a Musical at the Tony's — Page 2

Cynthia is giving a Tony-winning performance in The Color Purple ... and receiving her due praise. She's incredible in the role. But again, how can people declare definitive victory when we haven't even seen the THREE previous Tony winners in their shows yet?

I don't think that you can just assume that someone will give a Tony buzzy performance just because they won the award in the past.

All actors have wide variations of success from project to project. Look at Johnny Depp in Lone Ranger for example.

Erivo brought a whole new life to Celie. I was in awe of the entire production but as many others have stated already her performance moved me and brought a whole new life to the show. Id be shocked if she didn't win but the talent pool that is coming from this category is insane. Id hate to be a tony voter when it comes down to this.

I don't think Soo should or will win the Tony but I'm absolutely baffled by people dismissing her performance.

I really don't want to put Renee's great performance down to raise Phillipa's but Renee has been given a song like Satisfied which would be a showstopper as long as it was given to any good actress. I'm in no way saying she doesn't deserve her recognition or potential Tony but outside of Satisfied, I can't think of any other moments where I was overly wowed by her. That's not her fault, Angelica doesn't really have much material to work with outside of that song, which is why it was great that she was given it.

But Phillipa in Helpless, That Would Be Enough, Burn, It's Quiet Uptown & WLWDWTYS is consistently an absolute joy to watch and by far the most moving performance in the show for me. Eliza is a subdued character and the way Soo brings her out in both the upbeat and downbeat moments is great. That scream at the end of the Stay Alive reprise, her gasp at the very end, the way she portrays strength in femininity in The Schuyler Sisters, Helpless and Take a Break. She's giving a brilliant performance and definitely worthy of a nomination, even if Hamilton didn't have the hype it does. To me her role screams award more than Angelica does, although I am aware that it will most likely go to Cynthia.

Updated On: 2/12/16 at 01:09 AM

While it certainly seems like Erivo's to lose, I'd love to see Cusack sneak onto the list. She's an extraordinary talent. Her Dot in Sunday... at Chicago Shakespeare was one for the ages. I doubt that Bright Star offers her the vehicle to propel her toward awards but still...

yanks02 said: "I had Phillipa winning hands down until I saw The Color Purple on Tuesday. I can't even remember the last time I was as moved by a performance as I was by Cynthia. The growth she portrays in the 2.5 hours is amazing and her songs are acted and sung beautifully. I left the theatre still shaking."

I felt much the same way! Cynthia's performance absolutely blew me away. The way her character evolves from beginning to end is echoed in the way her singing evolves -- so that the audience (including me!) the other night just kept applauding her in Act II when she let Celie's true voice out. Phillipa is so great, and Jessie really carried the emotional weight of Waitress in a beautiful performance at ART, but for me, at this point, Cynthia's set a really high bar and is the one to beat.

Updated On: 2/12/16 at 02:09 PM

^ I would definitely say so. Having seen both of them, I personally would vote for Bennati.

Definitely agree that the likely noms will be Benanti, Erivo, McDonald, Mueller, Soo...

I can't see the Tonys rewarding Audra and Jessie so soon after their recent wins, especially when their competition is what it is.

Philippa is wonderful in the role, but this is one of Hamilton's categories where it's not a shoo-in. Laura Benanti is at points beautiful, heartbreaking, and hilarious as Amalia; Cynthia Erivo is all those too, and she grabs the rafters and tears them down in Act II (not to mention eliciting cheers and laughter with perfect, simple line delivery). At the end of the day (if these are the noms) I think they'll reward the first-time nominee.

Having seen She Loves Me last night and absolutely LOVING it, I STILL think it's a no-contest win for Cynthia Erivo. Benanti is great in the role, but I did actually feel like she was part of a really solid ensemble (to me Jane, Zachary, and Byron Jennings were the real standouts) more than a leading lady. In fact, I was kinda surprised that Laura got the last bow SOLO, not even coming out with Zachary. Cynthia carries the entire production of The Color Purple on her shoulders. Cynthia's performance left me longing to see more. Laura's left me smiling but satisfied. I'd be really surprised if the award goes to Laura at this point.

^Don't forget Ana Villafane from On Your Feet!

So it seems as though these are the only ones who have a shot at a Tony nom. Do you think anyone else could slip onto the nominations list other than the listed ones? I think the only true LOCKS for a nom is Cynthia and Laura.

Cynthia Erivo

Audra McDonald

Carmen Cusack

Jessie Mueller

Ana Villafane

Laura Benanti

Philippa Soo

I think it would be unprecedented, unwarranted, and wrong if Soo did not receive a nomination.