Replacements in shows that would of won the TONY — Page 2

The replacement Tony seems like a good idea until you really start to think about it -- it's hard enough to get the Tony voters to see all the new productions -- can you imagine how hard it would be to see all the replacements each season as well?

And then there's the award itself -- what exactly defines a "best replacement?" The majority of replacements "emulate" the original performer -- some more than others -- to fit into the existing vision of a show. So does a really great "fit" qualify as a "best replacement?" Or does it need to be a replacement that completely reinvents the role in some way? (Keeping in mind that this sort of "reinvention" mid-run is relatively rare.)

Just something to think about.

"Lillias White in Dreamgirls"

Lillias could've been nominated for the first revival, she just wasnt.

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I agree it'd be difficult to do, but would be good for longer running shows. I suppose they'd probably invite the critics back much more as well, so I'm not sure how they'd determine would should be seen and who wouldn't (ie: the new next to normal cast as opposed to the new leads in Wicked). Suppose it could change year to year.

As for previous replacements -
Rachel York in The Scarlet Pimpernel
John Owen Jones, Lea Salonga and Judy Kuhn - all for the Les Miserables revival

Patti LuPone in MASTER CLASS

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Well, only the nominating committee would have to go see all the replacements. The voters would only have to go see the nominated performances.

I think the real snafu is in having to have the award voted on by the Tony voters - aside from the logistics - that it would require producers to saddle up thousands of additional dollars in comps; a lot of replacements aren't in a show for an entire year and/or wouldn't be available for the voters to see.

Having the producers invite the Tony NOMINATORS back to see certain performers they would like to be considered for a special replacement Tony and then letting the committee decide if among those there is a choice worthy of being given the award is in my opinion probably a more realistic idea.

"Having the producers invite the Tony NOMINATORS back to see certain performers they would like to be considered for a special replacement Tony and then letting the committee decide if among those there is a choice worthy of being given the award is in my opinion probably a more realistic idea."

I've alwasys thought the same. Let's be realistic: producers wouldn't want to hand out comps to every new replacement in every role. They could, however, be willing to ask nominators to come for a specific performance by a new replacement - much like they invite back critics. Maybe even saying every show gets 1 or 2 possible slots per year?

And I agree that if they say they can hand out special awards, then they should more often. Many (but certainly not all) of the performances mentioned here added lusted to many a season.

Broadway Boy you mention Rose in Gypsy as a part that's had many replacement actresses on Broadway- is that true? I can only think of one Broadway production that's had two (Linda Lavin replaced Tyne Daly).

so many great suggestions, I particularly back up: Estelle Parsons in August

And to add to the mix: I thought Blake Bashoff was outstanding in Spring Awakening.

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"Broadway Boy you mention Rose in Gypsy as a part that's had many replacement actresses on Broadway- is that true? I can only think of one Broadway production that's had two (Linda Lavin replaced Tyne Daly)."
I just meant that if perhaps there were some sort of recognition by the Tonys for replacement actors, a first rate actress would be more willing to take over a great role like Rose after another actress. Sorry if I was unclear. We can't pretend that awards don't matter to actors and producers on broadway.

I really did not enjoy Bernadette in Night Music. I thought she overacted.

That said, Johanna Day was a better Barbara Fordham than Amy Morton and deserved a Tony.

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It is funny ..if a show closes for 1 year and is revived someone else can be nomimated for best actor/actress for the same role..but not if they come in (which is hard) and blow everyone away ..(betty buckley SB/bernadette ALNM/Reba AGYG)
they can not. It makes no sense...the perfomance should be nominated becuase it is a new performance..I dont think it should apply to a limited run just a "real" replacement.
I saw Kiss of the SpiderWoman and Chita was unreal ..but Maria Conchita Alonzo also blew me away....I thought Vanessa was posing too much and they slowed the music down a lot for her and the way she over pronounces her words kind of bugged me but I think that is something she does all the time

Shannon Durig in Hairspray, even though Marissa Jaret Winokur shouldn't have won the Tony in the first place.