Rant about the 2013 TONY nominations here — Page 8

I know the category was tough this year, but I'm sad that PIPPIN's Rachel Bay Jones was shut out- I think she's giving the funniest yet most sincere and touching performance I've seen in ages. Now, Andrea Martin did the same, but to take a role like Catherine and make it into something special deserves accolades.

---

I can understand Kelly2's disappointment in her earlier post, too. BUT, the Tony Committee pretty much painted themselves into a corner by unilaterally awarding the Matildas without allowing input by Tony voters. If Lilla had been allowed eligibility/a nomination, a bad situation would have gotten worse.

I still contend that Young Actors should not be allowed eligibility at all. They should have their own "floating" category (optional from year to year) for an honorary Tony citation. Pitting Young Actors against adults is unfair to both sides.

But you're dealing with two separate issues here. The Matildas were most likely deemed ineligible not because they're children, but because they're each only giving two performances a week. I do agree that it's unfair to have young actors pitted against adults, and perhaps a floating category could be a solution. I think it's still different to have a young actor giving six or eight performances a week nominated against adults with the same schedule, as opposed to grouping together four young actors who each go on twice a week and having them compete with adults going on 6-8 times a week.

---

I echo the disappointment regarding the Rachel Bay Jones snub. (I was also secretly hoping for Charlotte even though I knew it was a long shot). But Victoria Clark, really? The night I saw it, her biggest contribution to the show was picking up a glove one of the dancers had dropped on stage.

For the most part I am thrilled with the nominations especially for all the Vanya and Pippin love. Patina Miller looks like she has an easier field to win in. Thrilled for Carrie Coon, all the Vanya Actors and glad Terrence Mann got a nom. The only 2 snubs im upset about are for Alan Cumming and for Jessie Muller.

---

Kelly2, I didn’t actually think you would get mad at me. :) I know I am in the minority with my feelings about Mueller and I am waiting to see her in something that makes me get it.

Also, while I am surprised at Lilla’s shut out, I don’t think that just because the Matildas got a special honor means that another child performer should automatically get nominated, just because that actor is performing more shows a week. The nomination committee must have found that they felt each of the Matildas performances were excellent enough to deserve recognition (but, deemed that two shows a week could not justify a Leading Actress nomination) and that Lilla’s performance did not deem recognition. It has nothing to do with the amount of work the actresses are doing, but rather the quality of the work they are doing. (Which, clearly the nominating committee found the Matildas quality of work to be more excellent than Lilla’s.) Also, just a note, I have seen neither so I have no opinion at this point on whether or not Lilla or the Matildas should have been recognized, I am just making the point that the judgment of whether or not actors get recognized for these awards is not based off of how hard they working, but rather how good the performance they are giving is.

I'm not surprised by Bette's snub. The performance is very close to her familiar stage persona and the nominators like to see a stretch. In fact several reviews mentioned her Sophie Tucker shtick coming into play. Surprised by the omissions of Shaw, Cumming, Numrich, Warlow, and The Nance, and therefore O'Brien.

I wish I was going to Vanya and Sonia tonight. I hope everyone gets a few extra seconds of entrance applause tonight. That cast must be bouncing off the walls, and deservedly so.

I think it would fun to have Nielsen host the Tonys as Maggie Smith. Her lines about being nominated tonight should inspire some louder than usual laughter.

---

>> "If they decided to go The Secret Garden route and have one young actress do six shows a week (which I think is completely doable with this role) and have a few standbys to cover, then the actress would have been nominated."

I'm flying partially blind in my response because I can't prove anyone's motivations for going the "multi-casting" route, but I feel like it's worth considering that multi-casting Young Actors in roles may be a solution for issues that the young Daisy Egan might have unnecessarily been put through, due to the "adult" demands of performing a large role.

Adult actors don't also have the demands of being required (by NY law) to succeed in their schoolwork or lose their job. Not to mention the importance of getting a good night's sleep, etc... Adults have their issues to contend with, too, but -- they're adults.

Updated On: 4/30/13 at 10:42 AM

For Best Musical:

I hoped that HANDS ON A HARDBODY would've taken one of the slots filled by BRING IT ON or A CHRISTMAS STORY, but the category is a duel to the death between MATILDA and KINKY BOOTS

For Best Play:
Sounds about on-par. I think VANYA will take it as MARY and LUCKY GUY both had critics quibbling and ASSEMBLED PARTIES seems to be the only formidable competitor. I hoped THE OTHER PLACE would've made its way into the shuffle.

For Best Musical Revival:

It's a showdown between PIPPIN and DROOD, with PIPPIN having the edge. CINDERELLA is a possible spoiler.

For Best Play Revival:

No complaints, except that HARVEY should've taken ORPHANS' slot. That was purely a matter of timing.

For Best Actor in a Musical:

I'm surprised at Santino Fontana and Stark Sands picking up nods, as I sooner would've put Jim Norton and Anthony Warlow in their places. But again, it really doesn't matter as this category is a duel to the death between Billy Porter and Bertie Carvel.

For Best Actress in a Musical:

Sounds on-par. I'm thrilled for Stephanie J. Block, especially earning a nomination for a role Betty Buckley played way back when and wasn't recognized for it. God Bless Carolee, she deserves this after slogging through that piece-of-shlt SCANDALOUS.

For Best Actor in a Play:

The playing field seems pretty level across the board. With the exception of (maybe) Tom Hanks, a strong argument can be made for any nominee. Alan Cumming could've easily taken Hanks' spot, and his snub is very glaring.

For Best Actress in a Play:

Despite people's shock at Bette Midler's snub, although the reviewers did praise her, it's essentially Bette playing a Bette Midler role (not much to delve into). People have said that Holland Taylor should be shuffled out in favor of Bette, but Holland Taylor workshopped for years to create that character and it was nothing less than a reincarnation of Ann Richards herself. I'm thrilled for Laurie Metcalf to get a nomination. Also, could Kristine Nielsen possibly pull a James Corden this year?

For Best Featured Actor in a Musical:

I hoped that Andy Karl would've been able to sneak in, but I'll take Will Chase. I also love that Carradine scored a nomination, as he was wonderful in HARDBODY.

For Best Featured Actress in a Musical:

I would've preferred Jessie Mueller or Lesli Margherita (the flashiest of the female roles - Trunchbull excluded - in Matilda) over Victoria Clark, but it seems to be Andrea Martin's to lose. I have my fingers crossed for Keala Settle though.

For Best Featured Actor in a Play:

The only nominee I saw was Billy Magnussen and I'm a bit surprised he picked up a nomination, but happy nevertheless. Richard Kind was also an easy call based on the glowing reviews he got for THE BIG KNIFE. He could be a spoiler for Magnussen or Shalhoub

For Best Featured Actress in a Play:

Seems about on par, but I'm shocked and also beyond thrilled that Shalita Grant picked up a nomination.

---

Updated On: 4/30/13 at 10:56 AM

Just imagine if THE PERFORMERS was eligible...

---

At least the producers of I'LL EAT YOU LAST won't have to provide a pair of comp tickets to the 800+ voters which certainly makes the producers happy (that's almost $250,000) on the other hand you now have 800+ Tony voters who are pissed because they are going to have to buy a pair of tickets if they want to see I'LL EAT YOU LAST.

Updated On: 4/30/13 at 11:20 AM

Thrilled with most of the nominations, especially Will Chase, Rob McClure, and Stephanie J. Block. Glad that they were remembered even though Drood and Chaplin closed.

One complaint is the best musical category. Bring It On AND A Christmas Story? REALLY? No Motown? No Hands on a Hardbody? No Chaplin? I can't believe it!

But I'm very pleased with the choices for Best Actor/Actress/Featured Actor/Featured Actress in a musical!