Official Way Too Early 2018 Tony Predictions Thread- Page 17

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:50am

JudyDenmark said: "Lindsay is a goddess said: "What are people's thoughts on the Featured Actor in a Musical race?

I think Butz, Newell, and Stachel are locks, but I feel like the last two slots could go to any of four contenders; Gavin Lee, Grey Henson, John Cariani, or Jelani Alladin. Lee seems to be a favorite if general attitudes about SpongeBob don't get in his way, and Henson has received rave reviews for Mean Girls. Meanwhile, Alladin received some special callouts in reviews, and he just got nominated for the Drama League's Distinguished Performance Award over Caissie Levy."

Has Etai Benson not been part of the conversation? I think he should be! John Cariani was out when I saw Band's Visit, and while I was initially really bummed, after the show I was scratching my head at how such a small role was getting such buzz. (Is he really that exceptional in it? Is itworth seeing again for him?)I also think Phillip Boykin should be in the conversation. In my own dream world he gets the nomination over Newell, though I know that's not happening in reality.I think it'll ultimately be Butz, Stachel, Newell, Lee, and Henson.

I also found Cariani's role (I did see him perform in it) a bit underwhelming. Benson and Stachel were definitely the standouts for me in the supporting roles, although I think Benson is much likelier to get overlooked in this crowded category.

 

[Eliza2]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 11:11am

the featured men in The Band's Visit are like the featured women in Mean Girls to me. Although I maybe slightly preferred some over the others, I see them all as deserving of a nomination and I wouldn't cry foul at any of them being selected.

[anislander]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 12:02pm

bwayrose7 said: "JudyDenmark said: "Lindsay is a goddess said: "What are people's thoughts on the Featured Actor in a Musical race?

I think Butz, Newell, and Stachel are locks, but I feel like the last two slots could go to any of four contenders; Gavin Lee, Grey Henson, John Cariani, or Jelani Alladin. Lee seems to be a favorite if general attitudes about SpongeBob don't get in his way, and Henson has received rave reviews for Mean Girls. Meanwhile, Alladin received some special callouts in reviews, and he just got nominated for the Drama League's Distinguished Performance Award over Caissie Levy."

Has Etai Benson not been part of the conversation? I think he should be! John Cariani was out when I saw Band's Visit, and while I was initially really bummed, after the show I was scratching my head at how such a small role was getting such buzz. (Is he really that exceptional in it? Is itworth seeing again for him?)I also think Phillip Boykin should be in the conversation. In my own dream world he gets the nomination over Newell, though I know that's not happening in reality.I think it'll ultimately be Butz, Stachel, Newell, Lee, and Henson.

I also found Cariani's role (I did see him perform in it) a bit underwhelming. Benson and Stachel were definitely the standouts for me in the supporting roles, although I think Benson is much likelier to get overlooked in this crowded category.

"

I would LOVE for Benson to get nominated as well, since he really stole the show for me. I think in a loaded category like this one though, he's likely to get overlooked. Bummer, because I really think that he deserves recognition for this role. 

 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 12:19pm

anislander said: "I would LOVE for Benson to get nominated as well, since he really stole the show for me. I think in a loaded category like this one though, he's likely to get overlooked. Bummer, because I really think that he deserves recognition for this role."

Really, though... if a lot of people are having this sentiment, why do we think he'll be overlooked? Stachel is the frontrunner from the show for sure (in this category), but if there's a second I'd love for it to be Benson. Even Adam Kantor has a chance, given that he sings one of the most loved songs in the score. Nothing against John Cariani at all - I think he's great - I just don't totally understand why Itzik is getting so much buzz, since it wasn't a very prominent role to me. (Also, knowing that Stachel and Benson are good friends in real life, and given the characters' relationship in the show, it would be so awesome to see them nominated together!)

 

[benwilsonn.xo]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 12:50pm

I think this is the year that the Tony’s should add in an Award for Best Ensemble Performance, and nominate shows like Mean Girls and The Band’s Visit, because it’s upsetting how many talented people will be left out in this years Featured categories!

[TFMH18]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 3:50pm

Speaking for myself, I was wholly moved by Cariani's hilarious and ultimately very heartbreaking performance. The lullaby he sings to his son towards the end of the show, calling himself a loser and pointing out all his shortcomings, wrecked me. I also think his scenes with his wife are some of the show's best (THE best discrediting Lenk's scenes), and think it would be wonderful if Kristen Sieh received a nomination in the featured category—though that is highly unlikely, I know. There really isn't a weak performance in the bunch, though. Stachel is a lock for the nod for sure, as are Lenk (who'll win) and Shalhoub (who won't), and any other additional nominations will be a sweet bonus in my opinion. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 3:55pm

John Cariani gave the best performance in my opinion. It's a really subtle, but beautiful performance. He's funny, but there's some sadness underneath it. His lullaby is heartbreaking. Stachel has the showier part, but wasn't nearly as good. All the men in that show are phenomenal, but Cariani shows how to make an impact with such a small role. Kristen Sieh, who plays his wife is also brilliant and gave one of my favorite supporting female performances of the year.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 3:58pm

TFMH18 said: "There really isn't a weak performance in the bunch, though."

That's the truth. It's a shame that deserving people will inevitably be left out (I feel the exact same about Once On This Island), but such is the unfair nature of awards shows. 

Good to know about Cariani's performance! Pomme Koch played the role when I saw it, and I thought he was excellent, but it's not a role I've really thought about that much after the show compared with other characters who stood out to me. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 3:59pm

benwilsonn.xo said: "I think this is the year that the Tony’s should add in an Award for Best Ensemble Performance"

 

I can't tell if you're being hyperbolic, but if not, you should know it's far too late for them to add a category this year. That kind of thing gets decided long before now - before the nominators see any of the season's shows. If they were to add or remove a category, we would have heard about it a year ago (in fact, they did - they announced that they would re-instate the Sound Design categories for this season, almost exactly a year ago). 

 

[Nicole 10]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 4:21pm

I have what might be a stupid question, but are the scores of Margaritaville and Summer eligible for best score? 

[Elegance101]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 4:24pm

Nicole 10 said: "I have what might be a stupid question, but are the scores of Margaritaville and Summer eligible for best score?"

They are not, as the music wasn't written for the theatre. Not a stupid question at all!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:22pm

With tonight's raves, I feel extremely safe saying that My Fair Lady will win Best Revival of a Musical.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:24pm

I think many people are doubting once on this islands abilitys. I honestly think it has a great chance for revival and may edge out My fair lady.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:25pm

I wouldn't. It got positive reviews, but it wasn't unanimous raves. OOTI's still very much in the race.

If anything, the reviews made Ambrose a little bit more of a threat to Lenk for Best Actress (though I still think it's Lenk's).

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:29pm

Elegance101 said: "I wouldn't. It got positive reviews, but it wasn't unanimous raves. OOTI's still very much in the race.

If anything, the reviews made Ambrose a little bit more of a threat to Lenk for Best Actress (though I still think it's Lenk's)."

 

True but I'm going with Ambrose for the WIN now!

[Markie27]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:33pm

I know that critics and tony voters are a whole different group and mindset (although I think some critics are voters as well - I may be wrong) but as My Fair Lady is getting positive to rave reviews I just want to group the following shows as per critics to get a sense of who will triumph on Tony night... pls. Feel free to correct any errors

 

RAVE REVIEWS (Across the Board):

THE BAND’S VISIT

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

ANGELS IN AMERICA

THREE TALL WOMEN

 

POSITIVE TO  RAVE:

MY FAIR LADY

SPONGEBOB

THE CHILDREN

FARRINELI AND THE KING

LOBBY HERO

 

MIXED TO POSITIVE:

CAROUSEL

MEAN GIRLS

FROZEN

1984

TIME AND THE CONWAYS

JUNK

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD

MARVIN’S ROOM

METEOR SHOWER

 

NEGATIVE TO MIXED:

THE PARISIAN WOMAN

ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE

M BUTTERFLY

 

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:34pm

Nah. Lenk is the heart and soul of a new musical that is going to win the Tony for Best New Musical. She is a huge part of the reason that musical had been a success. People have seen and loved her in the role for well over a year. Ambrose is going to have to scale a very tall mountain very quickly to reach and overtake her.

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:37pm

Without having seen Ambrose, I will be very saddened to not see Lenk take it. One of the best performances I have ever seen and one that will stick with me forever. However, one thing to mention is that in the past decade, the award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical has only gone to original roles twice (if you don't count Carole King, then only once to Alice Ripley as Diana), so that will also make this a very interesting race. I believe the most up in the air categories are revival (with an edge to My Fair Lady) and all of the musical acting categories. For a rather dull season, awards night will be rather interesting. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:41pm

As much as I wish they could tie (I absolutely ADORE Ambrose's Eliza to pieces), I have to give Lenk the edge. Her Dina is just transcendent. There's nothing more to say. Ambrose's Eliza is pitch-perfect, layered, and profoundly nuanced, but I don't think any performance can stand up to Lenk's magic. 

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:47pm

Maybe it's because I fell asleep during TBV, but Lenk's character felt more like a supporting role in an ensemble show than a leading one. Especially compared to Eliza.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:49pm

theatretenor2 said: "Maybe it's because I fell asleep during TBV, but Lenk's character felt more like a supporting role in an ensemble show than a leading one. Especially compared to Eliza."

Honey, you got a storm coming.

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:52pm

Elegance101 said: "theatretenor2 said: "Maybe it's because I fell asleep during TBV, but Lenk's character felt more like a supporting role in an ensemble show than a leading one. Especially compared to Eliza."

Honey, you got a storm coming."

I absolutely loved the music, but the show itself was a slow burn for me. Maybe it was because I saw it the first night of previews, but I just didn't love the show.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:54pm

No actress has won a Tony a award for playing Eliza Doolittle- musical or play and Ms Ambrose is unlikely to be the first. I will leave it at that.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:57pm

I'm still mad Julie Andrews didn't win. I wasn't there, but still! An iconic role and iconic performer!

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:57pm

Nor was Hepburn even nominated for the film. Good point, but I am not counting Ambrose out.