Leading Actor in a Musical race

We know the following seem to be shaping up as locks:

Michael Cerveris, SWEENEY TODD
John Lloyd Young, JERSEY BOYS
Harry Connick Jr., THE PAJAMA GAME

Obviously, Alan Cumming will probably be thrown in there as well, unless "Tarzan" is brilliant, or if "The Wedding Singer" and "Lestat" pull a 360 and impress us all.

As it stands, right now (Cerveris, Young, Connick), who is your choice to win the award?

Admittedly, I haven't seen THE PAJAMA GAME yes, I'm going in a couple weeks, but I imagine that is the case with the majority of Bww-ers due to it's sold out status.

However, I must say that I returned to JERSEY BOYS today (after first seeing it nearly 5 months ago), and John Lloyd Young has succeeded in seducing me. Again. And this time, even deeper.

While Cervris might gve the most nuanced, honest, undoubtedly brilliant performance of the year, I think most people will vote for someone else due to the fact that he just won an award - and we know how the Tony's feel about that...

With that said, (coming from someone who is obsessed with Cerveris as a performer), I would hands down give the award to John Lloyd Young.

With a valentine from Brantley himself and across the board raves for his performance, do you think Young, making his Broadway debut, could be this year's Sutton Foster? I sure as hell would vote for him.

What do you guys think?

---

I must say.... I bet Hugh Panaro will get a nomination for Lestat. Although the show had mixed reviews in San Fran., they are really overworking it before it opens at the Palace. He carries the whole show and from what I've heard, he is absolutely fantastic.

As for the Women's race. I will cringe if Sutton gets another nomination for the Drowsy Chaperone. (although I haven't seen it or her in it so don't everyone yell at me) I was thoroughly (no pun intended) disappointed with her performance in Little Women. This had better be Kelly O'Hara's year since she was snubbed for the Tony last year as it was given to (in my opinion) an unimpressive Sara Ramirez.

Updated On: 3/12/06 at 07:52 AM

Plus, musicalman2, Sutton Foster and Kelli O'Hara would not be in the same category. Sutton's part is featured, whereas Babe is a leading role.

---

I agree, I have no right to judge her performance since I haven't seen the show. But one of my best friends saw it here in LA and thought it was just.... alright. But still, I LOVED her in Modern Millie. So I'll wait to give my full opinion until I see the mediocore show she's about to open on Broadway. Also, I don't think she's a lead in this show. Does anyone know? But I think my friend said he's more of a supporting ( aka Featured Actress) in this show instead of a lead.

Updated On: 3/12/06 at 08:48 AM

Calm down "so called Wanna Be A Foster". I know you are obsessed with the Foster family and feel some need to defend them (ah.. isn't that sweet). But still, I'm just expressing my opinion. And aside from my friend's review, I haven't been impressed with what I've heard and read about the show.

Don't get your Foster panties in a bunch.... I"m sure Sutton and Hunter would still consider you for a "family position" since you are such a "wanna be Foster".

I think that there will be a Sweeney Wave, and I really do hope that Michael Cerveris wins for Sweeney Todd, I mean he is by far the best.

DDtruit's list looks the most accurate.

Come on, Tarzan, Lestat, Wedding Singer - no chance for this category.

I wouldn't count out the possibility that they give it to the most famous person in the category, which they often do. Thus, Harry Connick, Jr. could win it regardless of limited run.

But, as much as I loved Cerveris in ST, it would seem that JLY deserves to be crowned as the new Broadway star. I soooo need to get my butt to the August Wilson!

---

I would really, really like Michael to win it. I think his performance is fantastic and he definitely deserves it; he deserved it when he won featured for Assassins and he would deserve it even more if he won this year. BUT, I would also be really happy if JLY won. I think the race is really between Cerveris and JLY (to be fair, they're also the only ones I've really seen, but as possibly strong as the other contenders are, I really feel like it's going to come down to a race between Cerveris and JLY) and although I would prefer if Michael Cerveris won, John Lloyd Young is really deserving of it, too.

Which is nice. So many years I'm bitter because, not only does my pick not win, but the person/show that does win seems undeserving to me... this year, I feel like I'll be pretty happy with the lead actor. Uh, as long as it's Michael or JLY, that is. :P

Oh yeah. And as much as I want it to be Michael, I really do have a feeling it'll be JLY.

jerby: The most famous person always wins? That is entirely not true.

---

Sorry, I typed always but thought often.

Well?

---

Well by Kron.

As of now, definitely between Cerveris and JLY. My vote goes to JLY. Awesome job in Jersey Boys. I'm still crossing my fingers for Hugh Panaro though...obviously. LOL! :)

~Rosalynn