Leading Actor in a Play

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:18am

I think this is the toughest category of the season. Just look at these choices:

Leading:
- Samuel Barnett (Twelfth Night)
- Bryan Cranston (All the Way)
- Santino Fontana (Act One)
- James Franco (Of Mice & Men)
- Michael C. Hall (The Realistic Joneses)
- Ian McKellan (No Man's Land; and/or Waiting for Godot)
- Brian F. O'Bryne (Outside Mullingar)
- Chris O'Dowd (Of Mice & Men)
- Zachary Quinto (The Glass Menagerie)
- Daniel Radcliffe (The Cripple of Inishmaan)
- Mark Rylance (Richard III)
- Tony Shaloub (Act One)
- Patrick Stewart (No Man's Land; and/or Waiting for Godot)
- Denzel Washington (A Raising In The Sun)

I even excluded a few who are eligible but have no shot.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:38am

I agree, there are enough worthy performances to fill this category 2 or 3 times.

I think Cranston is the only definite lock. Quinto, Rylance and Washington seem like safe bets, but with so many good choices it's going to be a very close race just for a nomination.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:44am

Yes, it is definitely a tough one for nominations! Though I think once the noms are set, choosing a winner will not be as competitive as some of the other categories.

My predictions:

- CRANSTON
- QUINTO
- RYLANCE
- STEWART
- WASHINGTON

(I hope Shalhoub sneaks in somehow but doubtful - he should have WON for Golden Boy - he was heartbreaking in that show)

[jdrye222]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:50am

I also wonder if either FONTANA or SHALHOUB will be petitioned for Featured...

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 9:51am

The season in plays was over the top.

Barnett was one of the season's standouts and deserves serious tony consideration. I'm wondering if the committee will nominate him as featured for his Elizabeth instead; but to me his Viola is the more deserving performance.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 9:53am

I really feel like this is Cranston's to lose.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 10:33am

I wouldn't count out Patrick Page for Casa Valentina. We'll see when the reviews come in, but I have a feeling he will be petitioned into Leading and will be nominated. I for one actually don't think Rylance will be nominated here. I think he'll be nominated for Twelfth Night as featured. While this is the category I am the most unsure of right now, my predictions would be:

- Bryan Cranston, All The Way
- Santino Fontana, Act One
- Chris O'Dawd, Of Mice And Men
- Patrick Page, Casa Valentina
- Zachary Quinto, The Glass Menagerie

I would expect the backups to be Michael C. Hall in place of Santino and Denzel Washington in place of O'Dawd. Also, Radcliffe's reviews come out tonight, so we'll see how he fares.

Updated On: 4/20/14 at 10:33 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 10:40am

I thought Radcliffe was terrific, but the play was less about him and more of an ensemble piece than I had expected. So, I'd consider him a longshot in such a strong season.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:05pm

I agree, but a lot of people felt he was snubbed for his last two Broadway outings. Don't underestimate the politics factor.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:27pm

Bryan Cranston- All The Way
Denzel Washington- A Raisin In The Sun
Zachary Quinto- The Glass Menagerie
Mark Rylance- Richard III
Ian McKellen- Waiting For Godot

I think it's between Cranston and Washington for the win, and I have a feeling Washington is going to win his 2nd Tony.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:35pm

I agree that Rylance is more likely to be nominated for Twelfth Night (though I loved his Richard). I'd love to see Samuel Barnett sneak into this category, but I think it's highly unlikely, unfortunately.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:38pm

I'm actually no longer sure McKellen will be nominated. He and Stewart really marketed themselves as a double act. I feel like it's a "both or neither" situation.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 12:46pm

I'm not sure that Qunito will get a nomination.

[The Other One]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 1:03pm

I honestly thought Quinto was the least impressive member of his cast, but most people seemed to feel differently. I wouldn't nominate him in a season full of such strong performances.

I am sure Cherry will be nominated, hope Celia is, and would love for Brian to be as well.

Updated On: 4/20/14 at 01:03 PM

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 1:30pm

I also wouldn't rule out Roger Rees in The Winslow Boy, even in such a competitive year. He got glowing reviews in a meaty role and is a guy the Broadway community loves.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 1:48pm

A bit surprised at all this love for Washington, considering all the screaming that went on (on this site and in general) before it opened. His reviews were good, but not overwhelming. Yes, he is the only reason this show got revived again so soon after the last Broadway production, but should he be rewarded for that? Selling tickets doesn't guarantee awards or nominations...

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 2:36pm

The producers would be wise to petition O'Dowd for supporting. It's George's story, he has more stage time than Lennie and O'Dowd might have a chance in the supporting category.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 2:45pm

This category is an embarrassment of riches this season. But I do think this is Cranston's award to lose at this point.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 3:19pm

Washington's reviews went way beyond expectation, considering most people expected him to be hammered for being too old. The fact the the vast majority of the reviews found his performance so good and convincing that it rendered a 20 + year age gap between himself and his character irrelevant, kind of helps him. He overcame something with a fairly high degree of difficulty, and it points towards his skill as an actor. So instead of being some cringeworthy vanity project, Washington's interpretation of the role is actually allowing many critics to gain new perspectives on the play.

Washington is getting in on the strength of his reviews and performance. The New York Times said, "Mr Washington has shown himself a master of commanding, combustible stillness, that whispers of explosions to come". Newsday said he was "maginificent and heartshredding". New York magazine said it was an "electric performance" . New York Daily News said he was "flat-out excellent and stunning". Washington Post said "Washington is as good as his Troy Maxon is the 2010 revival of Fences". Variety called his performance a "personal triumph". The Wrap said "Washington gives a bravura performance that shifts the balance of the play in the right direction" .

These notices are a bit more than merely "good".

Overall, he got raves, and got the strongest reviews of his ensemble cast. He got the type of reviews that can win the Best Actor Tony. It's doing him a disservice to suggest he's being rewarded for selling tickets. He's got a critically acclaimed performance in a production liked by both audiences and critics. And he's a previous winner. It's sort of a no brainer.





Updated On: 4/20/14 at 03:19 PM

[Patash]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 4:30pm

"I even excluded a few who are eligible but have no shot.

And yet you included James Franco?

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 4:45pm

Radcliffe
McKellen (for Godot)
Quinto
Rylance (for Richard)
Washington

I think Radcliffe will end up winning.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 5:36pm

Radcliffe winning is a joke. Let's see if he can even pull off a nomination.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 5:53pm

I agree that it would be a smart strategic move to petition O'Dowd for featured, since he is almost guaranteed to win in featured (IMO). However, I think if an actor is above the title, they are automatically ruled as a leading actor, aren't they? I might be wrong about that, but that's what I thought.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 5:53pm

The only joke is you so summarily dismissing him. Wait till the reviews come out. Brantley gave him a rave in London and is likely to follow suit here. The reviews out this far have all been very positive.

I am calling him the upset winner this year, and you can eat your hat come June.

Updated On: 4/20/14 at 05:53 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/20/14 at 5:56pm

Oooooh, I don't see him winning, if only because his part is pretty small compared to those of the other eligible actors. But I do think he'll be nominated.