Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?- Page 2

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:55pm

Kad - Pretty sure. They BETTER, otherwise Block ain't gettin' no Tony.
CurtainPullDowner - There's Jenn Damianio's part, which I've heard is a so-so part wasting the talents of a fantastic actress. (I've worked with her before - sweet girl). I wouldn't expect to see her get nominated, especially over other also-rans like Kathy Fitzgerald, Megan Hilty; hell, even Amy Spanger.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:22pm

Just like Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel were nominated in the same category (Best Actress in a Musical) for WICKED...

For 9 TO 5: The Musical, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty and Allison Janney will be considered for Best Actress in a Musical. Only Kathy Fitzgerald will be considered Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:34pm

And you know this how, Brody?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:39pm

Brody doesn't know a thing.

Chenoweth and Menzel were both above the title for WICKED. So they were both automatically Leading.

Janney, Block, and Hilty are all below the title for 9 TO 5, so they're all automatically Featured, unless the producers petition otherwise. They're not going to voluntarily petition for all three below the title leads to be placed in the same category.

Sieber has had Featured Actor locked up for months (although Jbara and Kudisch really deserve to be contenders).

Are you kidding about Sieber? SHREK isn't winning a thing. Jbara has Featured Actor in the bag, with the possibility of Kudisch jumping in, since this will be his third nomination, and they'll want to throw something to 9 TO 5, with BILLY ELLIOT taking Best Musical.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:44pm

Jbara has Featured Actor in the bag

Really? I didn't even think he was worthy of a nod, both him and the role aren't all that great and he got stuck with a song that brings the show to a full stop--and not in the good way.
I'm not sure about Musical Featured Role for male actors this year though. How about Aaron Tveit in NEXT TO NORMAL? (Haven't seen the show so just wondering).
And I'm with WannaBe, BrodyFosse doesn't know a thing, not all three actresses will be petitioned to be in the lead, I imagine Block and Janney at the most will be left in that category with Hilty petitioned for Featured. If they have a solid strategy, they'll just push Janney to the lead and let Block and Hilty compete for a featured nod where they have a bigger chance of getting a nod/winning.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 07:44 PM

[jake6970]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:46pm

I definitely wouldn't expect Jenn Damiano to get a nomination, but I'm not sure if I'd be surprised if she did. It might be good buzz to have one young exceptionally talented actress in the category. It always kind of excites things, like the way Keisha Castle Hughes and Abigail Breslin did at the Oscars. Of course, Jenn isn't nearly as young as either of them were but still.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:54pm

Brody, you don't know anything.

Jbara has Featured Actor in the bag.
Snort! Not only is his role one-note (maybe two-note if you count his awesome silent sitting in "Electricity"), but his Act Two song brings everyone down from the high of "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" and is a true "let's look down and read the Playbill" number. Sure he's a beloved stage veteran (I love the man) but...no. Kudisch could slip in, but we need to see the changes made to his role since the L.A. tryout. And don't count out Sieber. He steals every scene in that show and when you're the best person on stage with Sutton Foster and Brian D'Arcy James, you know you've accomplished something.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 07:54 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:58pm

Well, that's your opinion. I thought Brian d'Arcy James gave an incredible performance. Sieber was great, but at the same level as James, if lesser than.

We shall see what happens. I just don't see SHREK as a Tony winner in any category, the way LEGALLY BLONDE was a big splashy show and didn't win a thing, either.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 7:59pm

And they'll want to throw something to 9 TO 5, with BILLY ELLIOT taking Best Musical.

9 to 5 is getting Best Score or Best Book, Best Actress, maybe Best Featured Actress, Costumes, and Set.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:04pm

I think 9 to 5 might take best musical.


...If Stephanie doesn't get a TONY, I just might hurt someone.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:06pm

I actually like Stephanie J. Block as a person and a performer, but I cannot stand her fans.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:12pm

I really liked Jbara in Billy Elliot, but I was more impressed with Santino Fontana. but I don't know enough about this season to even try to gauge who would be nominated for/win most of the acting awards.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:13pm

Santino Fontana

Oh boy! You wanna talk about one-note performances in Billy Elliot?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:44pm

Every other thread posted in the last few months seems to turn into a Tony predictions thread.

I think, for a majority of the categories (especially considering the fact that N2N is basically a completely different show than it was from 2ST), it's too early to be too sure.


But anyway, back on topic, someone needs to write a great musical comedy LEAD role for Mary Testa. She's great as comic relief in a supporting role (I forgot how fantastic she was in 42ND STREET) but she deserves to take a leading role and I have no doubt in my mind that she would knock it out of the park. I think she'd be an interesting choice to play Dolly Levi (although it'll never happen). She's great and quibbles aside about her scene-stealing role in GUYS AND DOLLS, she is at least having FUN with the show. Unlike the rest of the cast.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:54pm

What Mary Testa needs, I think, is a show in which she doesn't need to shamelessly mug.

Or she needs to do a cabaret with Jackie Hoffman. Think of the riffs! Both vocal and comedic.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 08:54 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:04pm

She was her own self indulgent, campy, ridiculous self. Can the woman not do stick to this crap every time she steps on a stage? I was literally cringing durring her little solo bit in "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat". Ugh. Are people seriously mentioning a Tony nomination for her for this role? Seriously gang?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:06pm

Honestly, I think they should have cast Mary as Adelaide.

Who cares how old she is? Oliver Platt is no youngin.

She would have torn the stage apart as Adelaide and had the audience in the palm of her hands. I think she would have been brilliant.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:11pm

Best. Idea. Ever.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:15pm

Faith Prince was also older when she played the role...and it worked perfectly!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:17pm

As the economy continues to flatline, producers will be looking for guaranteed hits at a cheap price.

So may I suggest "Nunsense".

Tyne Daly as Mother Superior, Lillias White as Hubert, Mary Testa as Robert Anne, Sutton Foster as Leo and Kristin Chenoweth as Amnesia.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:18pm

Wow, that's genius casting. Maybe Second Stage can put it up as their first show in the Helen Hayes once they take it over.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:18pm

Maybe after Lauren leaves perhaps Mary could be chosen to take over?

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:27pm

Who knows if it will make it long enough so have two people play the roles.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:34pm

Mary Testa is achingly funny when it is called for,
FORUM, XANADU, GUYS AND DULLS, etc.
But if you saw her in SEE WHAT I WANT TO SEE
(whatever it's called) you would know she can reign it in and deliver a powerfull controled dramatic performance.
Listen to her on the CD.

I have been campaigning for years to see her in HELLO DOLLY, and I know they would want a bigger star, but if they want comic chops and vocals, she's the Dame.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:46pm

CurtainPullDowner, I also saw SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, and Mary did give a fierce dramatic performance.