Rant about the 2014 TONY NOMINATIONS here — Page 7
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:48am
His name is Samuel Barnett. He is a young actor of the very first rank and as Viola in Twelfth Night he just led one of the finest productions of a classic, and arguably the most impressive Shakespeare, to ever appear on Broadway in our lifetime, giving a performance of exquisite economy, extraordinarily restrained comedy and transcendent beauty.
And, by the way, he's a previous tony nominee (The History Boys).
With due respect to Mr. Quinto, also a great actor, and someone who gave a very strong performance, this wasn't a "snub." It was simply a committee doing their job: nominating the performances each individually felt were the most meritorious, not a committee charged with honoring stars over non-stars. Quinto is in very good company this season: there was an embarrassment of riches of famous men giving acclaimed performances: others not nominated in this category include Sir Ian McKellan, Sir Patrick Stewart, Daniel Radcliffe and Denzel Washington. The committee didn't "snub" these performances. They simply gave their job serious thought and did their unenviable task.
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:49am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:51am
I don't have a lot of complaints. My biggest "WTF" was the fact that Rylance got a nod over either Denzel or Daniel Radcliffe (what does he have to do to get recognition???? He was amazing-and is dedicated to theater.). I thought Denzel had a nod in the bag. (Makes it a lot easier for Cranston to win-I thought it'd be between them.)
I think a lot of the wins are more predictable now that I've seen the nominees...
Also, I didn't think Leigh Silverman's direction for Violet was that special-certainly not Tony worthy. (Doesn't matter-it'll either go to Mayer (who should get it) or Tresnjak (watch out for an "Adele Zadeem" moment if he wins).
I'm not that displeased with the nods. I'm glad that James Iglehart continues his path to the Tony. (He really is amazing.)
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:56am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:57am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:57am
Also, I just realized... The Realistic Joneses was completely shut out. Can't wait to hear what Isherwood has to say about that...
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:57am
I'm also proud that Lena Rocker Hall is nominated - I remember stage dooring for Kinky Boots last April and she was so friendly, she told me about her band playing at Santos Party House after the show. I didn't go but I knew it would have been good.
Updated On: 4/29/14 at 09:57 AM
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:57am
That can only mean you didn't see Rylance's performance.
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:59am
Yes, if only they didn't have pesky rules dictating the conditions under which that fifth slot opens up...
Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:59am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:00am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:01am
Updated On: 4/29/14 at 10:01 AM
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:01am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:03am
Neither did a bookless and actorless musical After Midnight. It is a revue pure and simple and should be in a separate category
A nod for a score that is basically not a new one. Why?
No nomination for Yorke in Bullets? This is a head scratcher
No nod for Quinto. Remind me of Julie Andrews and her egregious comment.
The committee will be remembered this year not for what they nominated but what they did not and should have.
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:04am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:05am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:05am
Updated On: 4/29/14 at 10:05 AM
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:06am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:07am
That production of Twelfth Night was one of the greatest things to come to broadway in years. Rylance is a ridiculously gifted stage actor and should be nominated in both categories.
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:08am
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:08am
His name is indeed Samuel Barnett, I fixed my post a few minutes after posting it. He is an entirely capable young actor and as Viola in Twelfth Night he delivered an entirely capable but frankly rather one-note performance that didn't impress me nearly as much as Zachary Quinto's in GLASS MENAGERIE. It was Quinto, for me, who delivered the performance of exquisite economy, extraordinarily restrained emotion and transcendent beauty.
Yes, he got a similarly undeserved nomination for that HISTORY BOYS thing. The Tony award committee's ongoing analingus of all things British continues unabated.
Updated On: 4/29/14 at 10:08 AM
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:10am
I didn't commit his reviews to memory, but the nytimes certainly seemed equally smitten with his Richard: "As played by Mr. Rylance, Richard otherwise dominates the proceedings in spectacularly high style. His interpretation of the crookback king is as thoroughly thought out as it is daring. From his famous opening words (“Now is the winter of our discontent”), this Richard is unafraid to come across as a clown, as a seemingly none-too-bright goofball uncle, who happens to be handy with a sword. Even when he’s confiding his diabolical schemes to us, we don’t quite take him seriously. And like the succession of rivals he gulls, we pay for our misperception."
Admittedly, his Olivia is the role that stuck with me of the two, but both shows were rather delightful.
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:13am
Sad about Quinto and Denzel, but that was a very tough category.
I'm sorry for Bridges not getting a Best Musical nomination.
Thrilled for Lauren Worsham though!
Posted: 4/29/14 at 10:13am
Cue the brickbats.
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