Lead Actress in a Musical 2026- Page 2

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 12:01pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: "binau said: "What is wrong with you? This is not acceptable behaviour. If you disagree with the characterisation of who conceived the show you can challenge politely on this. The poster clearly is just a fan of the show, concept and direction yet you turn it into a vicious, juvenile attack."

No no. CoffeeBreak has a history of Black artistic slamming and erasure on these threads. Just because you permit them intentionally overlooking the Black co- director attached to Cats doesn’t mean I will. What’s wrong with YOU?"

Binau is a racist MAGAt tho. He once defended Charlie Kirk for 96 hours straight and called everyone a terrorist who didn't agree. Don't engage. 

Just because you try and erase Black contributions doesn’t mean I’ll let you. There would also be no revival of Cats without the POC bodies that make this version work. So no Bill doesn’t get all the praise. Take your white savior approach back to your President. 

[dan94]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 12:04pm

In a year where there are few clear frontrunners, I think the Road Vote is going to be very important, especially if they vote in a unified block. I can't imagine they want 2 years of 2 person Best Musicals to hang their touring packages on, the current one with a set/physical production that doesn't even really fill up the Longacre. Imagine going to see Two Strangers in a 2500 seat house.

The musicals side will be about Ragtime v Cats. Ragtime is built for the road. Cats would have a harder time touring. There is also the perception that Evita is coming in next season. You are going to have a group of voters, perhaps sizable, who will not vote for an ALW musical 3 years in a row. Cats is setting up a campaign very well. We will see. Ragtime is a more directly political piece, and it's very hard not to be moved by it. I imagine the difference between who wins and loses here eventually comes down to 10 or 15 votes.

I think the Leading Actress Tony is Levy's, unless Titanique manages excellent reviews and halfway decent sales. We might see at a Mindelle win if that is the case.

[binau]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 12:04pm

I have not once ever said I supported Trump or the MAGA movement Sutton, I’m sick of you lying about me. All I’ve told you over and over again in various contexts over the years is that the left wing movement has gone too far and is going too far. That doesn’t make me ‘MAGA’, this is simply a lazy intellectual trick that allows you to deflect any criticism. 
 

I am not a racist for believing Kecia Lewis overreacted to Patti given the reality of the Hell’s Kitchen sound system.

You are being intellectual dishonest. You are being mean. You are being intellectually lazy. You are being vicious. This is wrong. 

Updated On: 2/7/26 at 12:04 PM

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 12:11pm

Anyway, back to the topic...

My current predictions are: Levy, Pitts, Mindelle, Michele & Chase with Levy winning. 

I just don't think Beaches will be very strong so I don't think either of them will get in (if only one goes lead then maybe they have a chance over Chase). Chenoweth could have had a chance if QOV had stayed open but I don't see her getting in. Sherrill is not happening. I think Michele would have had more of an uphill climb in a tougher year but the light competition and perhaps voters also thinking about how she couldn't get rewarded for Funny Girl will get her in. I think Hsu and Bean will be featured but even if they stay in lead, I don't know that they would get in.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 12:15pm

Sutton Ross said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "binau said: "What is wrong with you? This is not acceptable behaviour. If you disagree with the characterisation of who conceived the show you can challenge politely on this. The poster clearly is just a fan of the show, concept and direction yet you turn it into a vicious, juvenile attack."

No no. CoffeeBreak has a history of Black artistic slamming and erasure on these threads. Just because you permit them intentionally overlooking the Black co- director attached to Cats doesn’t mean I will. What’s wrong with YOU?"

Binau is a racist MAGAt tho. He once defended Charlie Kirk for 96 hours straight and called everyone a terrorist who didn't agree. Don't engage.

Just because you try and erase Black contributions doesn’t mean I’ll let you. There would also be no revival of Cats without the POC bodies that make this version work. So no Bill doesn’t get all the praise. Take your white savior approach back to your President.

"

Hey, Sutton, just fyi, we all remember this thread, even if you like to pretend it never happened. 

Updated On: 2/7/26 at 12:15 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 12:53pm

I love that you bookmarked a thread in case you ever need to "put me in my place" that I will never and have never read past my contribution. Post it a thousand times daily, it makes absolutely no difference to me. 

I think the Leading Actress Tony is Levy's, unless Titanique manages excellent reviews and halfway decent sales. We might see at a Mindelle win if that is the case.

I'm pulling for Pitts, she is so wonderful and romantic comedies are so rare on Broadway.

Just because you try and erase Black contributions doesn’t mean I’ll let you. There would also be no revival of Cats without the POC bodies that make this version work. So no Bill doesn’t get all the praise. Take your white savior approach back to your President.

I just keep thinking about how great this comment is. I have never seen Cats, I hated it when I tried to watch it on BroadwayHD and I didn't see it at PAC because I did not think it was for people like me. Today, I'm going to watch Paris is Burning (Totally Effed recommended it) and buy a ticket for this. Thanks.

[goodtimes123]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 1:27pm

quizking101 said: "Levy, Michele, and Mindelle are locks. Pitts is highly likely but most on the bubble of the upper tier.

Isler is not eligible as Tony voters were not invited to BEETLEJUICE. Chenoweth is very much likely DOA due to the failure of QOV.

Highly likely Vosk and Kelli Barrett would be both be considered leading and Hsu would be supporting for RHS (the only true lead is Frank N. Furter).

Depending on the reception and category placement of LOST BOYS and SCHMIGADOON, the last slot will be Bean or Chase, with Sherrill as a very dark horse.

I’m actually going to put my money on Lea Michele for the win - which while I don’t agree, it would likely be considering a proxy award for Funny Girl. Levy will clear if they bring the Donmar NEXT TO NORMAL over."

I kind of feel like Lea could get snubbed and not get a nom. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 1:28pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: "binau said: "What is wrong with you? This is not acceptable behaviour. If you disagree with the characterisation of who conceived the show you can challenge politely on this. The poster clearly is just a fan of the show, concept and direction yet you turn it into a vicious, juvenile attack."

No no. CoffeeBreak has a history of Black artistic slamming and erasure on these threads. Just because you permit them intentionally overlooking the Black co- director attached to Cats doesn’t mean I will. What’s wrong with YOU?"

Hahaha.  NO we don't.  A black woman would not slam black artists.  But we can be honest to what we've seen on any given subject.  True is true.

Updated On: 2/7/26 at 01:28 PM

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 1:29pm

Kristin will win, no doubt. Lol at the people saying Levy over Cheno

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 1:30pm

If you really believe Bill Rouch came up with placing Cats in a POC Ballroom setting you’re as stupid as you sound. Bill was planning Cats in a different era,but the idea of Ballroom was based off an idea Zhailon presented after they met.This is documented.

Just because you try and erase Black contributions doesn’t mean I’ll let you. There would also be no revival of Cats without the POC bodies that make this version work. So no Bill doesn’t get all the praise. Take your white savior approach back to your President.

Your insinuations and insults are unkind.  The is wholly untrue. 

"Rauch originally conceived of a Cats adaptation 20 years ago featuring Grizabella as an older gay man who would sing the musical’s most famous song, “Memory.” During the pandemic he met his eventual co-director, Zhailon Levingston, and they transformed Rauch’s concept into a musical that features no cats but rather an extraordinarily talented group of performers skilled in both ballroom dancing and singing."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/janelevere/2024/08/31/co-director-of-ballroom-inspired-cats-discusses-revivals-filming/

Updated On: 2/7/26 at 01:30 PM

[east side story]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 3:23pm

Merkin2 said: "Kristin will win, no doubt. Lol at the people saying Levy over Cheno"

No clue if Levy is winning, but it will not be Chenoweth. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 3:34pm

Merkin2 said: "Kristin will win, no doubt. Lol at the people saying Levy over Cheno"

Totally, Flash. Charlie Kirk will present it to her!

Kristin isn't getting a nomination. But Lea, Caissie and Christiani are all locks, imo.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 4:53pm

dan94 said: "In a year where there are few clear frontrunners, I think the Road Vote is going to be very important, especially if they vote in a unified block. I can't imagine they want 2 years of 2 person Best Musicals to hang their touring packages on, the current one with a set/physical production that doesn't even really fill up the Longacre. Imagine going to see Two Strangers in a 2500 seat house.

The musicals side will be about Ragtime v Cats. Ragtime is built for the road. Cats would have a harder time touring. There is also the perception that Evita is coming in next season. You are going to have a group of voters, perhaps sizable, who will not vote for an ALW musical 3 years in a row. Cats is setting up a campaign very well. We will see. Ragtime is a more directly political piece, and it's very hard not to be moved by it. I imagine the difference between who wins and loses here eventually comes down to 10 or 15 votes."

For a while, many believed that the road vote would make or break a show's chances of winning Best Musical. Yet around 2014/15, it was revealed that they only make up about 10% of the voting bloc. If it was any larger, we probably would've seen scenarios like Once losing to Newsies, Gentleman's Guide losing to Beautiful, or Fun Home losing to An American in Paris. So at this point, the theory of "the show that would tour better will win" has become obsolete.

Updated On: 2/7/26 at 04:53 PM

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 5:12pm

The same way y’all were surprised with the NYT review, you’ve got another thing coming this spring when The Queen of Versailles is doted on by the Tony awards.  wins for leading actress, musical, book, score, set, orchestrations.  Levy won’t get a nomination, they truly do not like her. I’ve heard this from several people in the Tony committee. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 6:02pm

goodtimes123 said: "I kind of feel like Lea could get snubbed and not get a nom."

Florence is a historically nominated role (Judy Kuhn in 1988), so there is precedent on that front. As much as I’m not her biggest fan (“She may be difficult, but boy she can sing”), in a year that’s very thin on musicals, I would be very much shocked to see her get bucked from the nominations. I already think Kristin Chenoweth being repudiated for QUEEN OF VERSAILLES reinforces my point. 

[CJRochester]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 7:05pm

"Levy sounds great but is no Marin Mazzie." 

This has been said over and over on this board by numerous posters. The original Ragtime was almost 30 years ago. I'll bet most of today's audience never saw the original. This is a new Ragtime for a new generation. Levy is giving a great performance. Appreciating Levy's performance doesn't diminish anything that came before. 

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 7:19pm

CoffeeBreak said: "If you really believe Bill Rouch came up with placing Cats in a POC Ballroom setting you’re as stupid as you sound. Bill was planning Cats in a different era,but the idea of Ballroom was based off an idea Zhailon presented after they met.This is documented.

Just because you try and erase Black contributions doesn’t mean I’ll let you. There would also be no revival of Cats without the POC bodies that make this version work. So no Bill doesn’t get all the praise. Take your white savior approach back to your President.

Your insinuations and insults are unkind. The is wholly untrue.

"Rauch originally conceived of aCatsadaptation 20 years ago featuring Grizabella as an older gay man who would sing the musical’s most famous song, “Memory.” During the pandemic he met his eventual co-director, Zhailon Levingston, and they transformed Rauch’s concept into a musical that features no cats but rather an extraordinarily talented group of performers skilled in both ballroom dancing and singing."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/janelevere/2024/08/31/co-director-of-ballroom-inspired-cats-discusses-revivals-filming/"

You just proved my point….. you were wrong as is your erasure. And just bc you’re a Black woman doesn’t mean you’re not brainwashed by whiteness, babe. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 7:35pm

Merkin2 said: "The same way y’all were surprised with the NYT review, you’ve got another thing coming this spring when The Queen of Versailles is doted on by the Tony awards. wins for leading actress, musical, book, score, set, orchestrations. Levy won’t get a nomination, they truly do not like her. I’ve heard this from several people in the Tony committee."

It is amazing the things people will say when they have to stand outside in the cold waiting to get inside the theater.

 

[Strange Lupone]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 9:41pm

binau said: "I have not once ever said I supported Trump or the MAGA movement Sutton, I’m sick of you lying about me. All I’ve told you over and over again in various contexts over the yearsis that the left wing movement has gone too far and is going too far. That doesn’t make me ‘MAGA’, this is simply a lazy intellectual trick that allows you to deflect any criticism.


I am not a racist for believing Kecia Lewis overreacted to Patti given the reality of the Hell’s Kitchen sound system.

You are being intellectual dishonest. You are being mean. You are being intellectually lazy. You are being vicious. This is wrong."


When you accuse Sutts of being intellectually dishonest, you’re only half right. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 9:47pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: 
"Rauch originally conceived of a Cats adaptation 20 years ago featuring Grizabella as an older gay man who would sing the musical’s most famous song, “Memory.” During the pandemic he met his eventual co-director, Zhailon Levingston, and they transformed Rauch’s concept into a musical that features no cats but rather an extraordinarily talented group of performers skilled in both ballroom dancing and singing."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/janelevere/2024/08/31/co-director-of-ballroom-inspired-cats-discusses-revivals-filming/"

You just proved my point….. you were wrong as is your erasure. And just bc you’re a Black woman doesn’t mean you’re not brainwashed by whiteness, babe.

Nope.. sure didn't.   And there is no erasure.  Get a clue.   And take your insults, insinuations and poor attempts at branding elsewhere. they are of no use here.

Updated On: 2/7/26 at 09:47 PM

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 10:47pm

CJRochester said: ""Levy sounds great but is no Marin Mazzie."

This has been said over and over on this board by numerous posters. The original Ragtime was almost 30 years ago. I'll bet most of today's audience never saw the original.This is a new Ragtime for a new generation. Levy is giving a great performance. Appreciating Levy's performance doesn't diminish anything that came before."

A lot of people are saying it because a lot of people feel that way. It’s funny because it seems you want to diminish Marin Mazzie’s performance.  Thirty years isn’t that long and many of us who saw the original production are still alive and kicking. I likes Levy in the show and hope and expect her to receive a Tony nod. 

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 2/7/26 at 10:54pm

I think it’s less about diminishing Mazzie’s performance and more about accepting that someone else can successfully play the role in perhaps a different way. 

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 2/8/26 at 12:12am

CoffeeBreak said: "Ensemble1698878795 said:
"Rauch originally conceived of aCatsadaptation 20 years ago featuring Grizabella as an older gay man who would sing the musical’s most famous song, “Memory.” During the pandemic he met his eventual co-director, Zhailon Levingston, and they transformed Rauch’s concept into a musical that features no cats but rather an extraordinarily talented group of performers skilled in both ballroom dancing and singing."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/janelevere/2024/08/31/co-director-of-ballroom-inspired-cats-discusses-revivals-filming/"

You just proved my point….. you were wrong as is your erasure. And just bc you’re a Black woman doesn’t mean you’re not brainwashed by whiteness, babe.

Nope.. sure didn't. And there is no erasure. Get a clue. And take your insults, insinuations and poor attempts at branding elsewhere. they are of no use here."

Every time you’re racist on these threads I will call you out and ruin your fun. That’s a promise. It’s not random insults, it’s accountability. When you do better these exchanges won’t happen. Your choice. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/8/26 at 12:32am

Nothing racist was said.  No need to hold anyone accountable. There is nothing to be accountable for. I owe you nothing (not even this comment). The only racist here must be you coming after a woman of color.  And you are no longer worth my time.   Go name calling elsewhere.

Updated On: 2/8/26 at 12:32 AM

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 2/8/26 at 12:34am

CoffeeBreak said: "No need to hold anyone accountable. I'm not racist. And you are no longer worth my time. Go name calling elsewhere."

I said what I said. You’ve been warned.