Riedel mulls over Best Actress in a Musical

I don't care if BWW posters want to speculate on nominations that are still six months away, but it strikes me as highly irresponsible for even a pseudo-journalist like Riedel to do so.

If he wants to write about the "best performances so far", fine. But he shouldn't be speculating on performances he has yet to see.

I never understand why posters here are not fans of predicting the Tonys long in advance or even discussing them, no matter how inappropriate or "off" it seems... TV fans and movie fans are predicting Emmy and Oscar nominations a year in advance, hell, as soon as one Emmy or Oscar ceremony is over, the next year's ceremony's noms are being discussed immediately... What's the big deal?

My personal opinion is that the race is between Mueller and O'Hara. In a year when voters will have the chance to reward a Broadway favorite who has been denied four times or a star-making new performance from an up-and-comer, I don't see them giving Idina Menzel or Sutton Foster another one for the mantle. The thing is, when we're talking about actresses of this caliber being given very demanding material, the quality of performance for most of them will probably be considered "award-worthy" and possibly Tony-worthy in a different crop of nominees, there is a fair share of politics that will probably play out in this category, and that's worth discussing.

Of course, Michelle Williams would be the huge unknown quantity/spoiler. I definitely agree that there is no way to predict how she'll affect the race. Mazzie, IMO, is similarly confusing simply because Helen Sinclair's part in the movie was very solidly featured and it remains to be seen how significantly the role has been expanded to justify her as a contender in this category. It could be another Bertie Carvel situation of perhaps he was giving the better performance but was simply stuck in the wrong category.

Updated On: 1/15/14 at 09:32 PM

So who do we think will win the Tonys next year? Any guesses?

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"... but it strikes me as highly irresponsible for even a pseudo-journalist like Riedel to do so."

When has Riedel EVER been responsible? He has actively tried to get shows to close for no real reason. The only way he'd have a responsible bone in his body would be if the guy topping him was wearing a condom.

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For all intents and purposes, I'm placing Mazzie for Featured, lest there be another Bertie Carvel situation.

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Updated On: 1/16/14 at 12:39 AM

She'd have to improve quite a bit. Wasn't she one of the worst reviewed parts of the show out of town?

Absolutely hated Courtney Reed in Aladdin.

I think this list is about right except i would replace Michelle Williams with Marin Mazzie. If Mazzie is in featured then i think Williams is the most suitable alternate.

I think the real race this year is going to be best actor. The field is not as clear cut as it is for actress in a musical.

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"A lot of people think she’s the one to beat, though a few say she’ll have to overcome the hurdle of starring in a jukebox musical that may not find favor with the Tony nominators."

John Lloyd Young & Christian Hoff both won for Jersey Boys, same for Levi Kreis in Million Dollar Quartet.

I can totally see Menzel getting her second Tony... It's a perfect amount of time since winning her first one; and a good role to win for too... I can see a lot of voters swing her way

However, Best Actor in a musical is less exciting, as it is most years.

But Best Actor in a Play promises to be the most exciting category BY FAR.

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Oscar? Don't you mean Tony?

I think Bryan Cranston or Zachary Quinto has a great shot at leading actor. I think Mark Rylance will take featured actor for Twelfth Night. Those are my early predictions.