Perhaps Mark Strong will win for Oedipus, which I did not see, but my impression is that most people think the race will come down to John Lithgow and Nathan Lane.
I thought both were terrific in their respective roles, so I won’t be unhappy either way. Lithgow’s advantage is, as mentioned above, it’s a little tough to imagine another actor playing Roald Dahl so effectively. I don’t think Giant is a great play, but it is a fantastic role that allows Lithgow to play to his many strengths as an actor.
Lane’s disadvantage is the ghost of other Willy Lomans in fine productions of Death of a Salesman. But as I think back, it is Lane’s performance that has stuck with me. The play is a classic for a reason, the direction is stellar, and the supporting cast is excellent. But Lane so wonderfully captures Willy Loman’s delusions and his tragic smallness - for lack of a more eloquent word. There were moments in the play that felt palpably devastating - and that is to Lane’s immense credit.
I had never seen a full stage production of Death of a Salesman before, so perhaps that’s why it hit so hard - especially from the fourth row of the orchestra.
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