Swing Joined: 7/1/05
^Ironic it would be, but not even an option. Like the Hugh Jackman show, the Patti-Patinkin thing didn't even invite Tony voters.
Really a shame about Evita.
People kvetching about what an awful year it is should look back over the past 30-40. Plenty of seasons were sub-par (certainly by the standards of some Golden Era, which is forever in the eye and ear of the beholder), and many had musical nominations that were place-holders at best. This new outrage that musicals are being developed from the "wrong" material -- and too commercially pitched -- is strange to me. Musicals are a popular and populist entertainment; some reach higher, all want to sell tickets. And what cracks me up are those on The Other Board who are bemoaning the fact that we don't have great stuff like THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. To each his own, but this season strikes me as fairly middlin', nothing to weep over or give a standing O.
I would be quite pleased if Elena was overlooked. It would show there is some justice the world. Just playing Eva doesn't get you a nod. Her Broadway arrival was one of the most overhyped events of 2012. If Ricky wasn't in the show, it would close very early. Elena's voice is shot.
I wish Cristin Millioti would win. She was insanely perfect in ONCE.
I really, really don't get the hate for Elena. I saw Evita toward the end of previews and I will agree that her singing is not great, but Bernadette Peters also struggled through the entire score of Follies. The difference for me is that Elena acted and danced incredibly well, whereas I thought Bernadette's acting choices were (mostly) truly bizarre and her interpretation of Sally didn't make any sense to me.
Is hate for Wildhorn so intense that Bonnie & Clyde is out of the question for musical/score? I generally don't like most of his music but I thought the score for B&C was mostly really great, and I liked the show better than Ghost or Leap of Faith.
Let me be perfectly clear. Not liking Elena's performance does not equal HATE. I don't hate her. However, what she is delivering on that stage is not a Tony worthy performance. That's all I'm saying and her reviews echo that. Elena is giving a performance for the first 10 rows of the Marquis-again, not Tony worthy.
Didn't she win all these awards over in London for the role? Hm. Weird.
And I didn't care for Peter's performance either. Her big song in Act 2 was just a letdown.
Audra was great, as usual, but it's not a performance I walked out raving about. She was great, which is what I've come to expect from her. I'd rather see the girl from ONCE win since she's relatively new, but still giving amazing, heartbreaking performance.
And I think Bonnie & Clyde def. got the short end of the stick. It's really not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I thought it was a pretty successful show, and the score was really great.
Her big song in Act 2 was just a letdown.
But how did you feel about her big song in Act 1?
Audra is like the Hilary Swank of Broadway. But, from what I've been reading, it seems that Jan Maxwell is a favorite to win. I've never seen her in a show, but she was delightful in an interview with Seth R. I wonder who might be potential Eva replacements, once Elena flees the balcony. Who has strong vocal chops to handle the arduous role? Just wondering... RC
While I am not the biggest fan of Follies itself, I still think that the production that was at the Marquis was pretty damn great, and I would not mind it taking best revival... I do want Elena Roger to be nominated though. I REALLY hope Derek McLane gets a nod for his set design for Follies. His transformation of the Marquis Theatre was breathtaking.
Responding to the comments about Peters: I saw Follies six times, and of the six, there was only one song in one performance that she hit a (very) sour note. As for her overall interpretation of the role, it was different and obviously polarizing, but I very much loved it. She brought a vulnerability to Sally that I haven't previously experienced. That being said, I wouldn't be too upset if she didn't receive a nomination for the role - I understand the dislike for her portrayal, and up until today's Drama Desk nod in lieu of Roger, not many people have been considering her likely.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
Somebody needs to tell him Moose Murders IS comin' back to town.
http://playbill.com/news/article/165402-Famous-Flop-Moose-Murders-Will-Be-Revived-in-NYC
I think Milioti is a definite dark horse, but I'd say it's probably still Audra's award to lose at this point. She's never won a Tony in a leading category, so I think they'll take the chance to give it to her for a highly acclaimed performance in an iconic role. I think Riedel is correct and Roger will be shut out; if I had to guess the nominees, I'd say: Maxwell, McDonald, Milioti, O'Hara, Peters.
If Bernadette can win a Tony for Annie Get Your Gun, I don't see any reason why she won't at least be nominated for Follies. With the exception of Into the Woods (took herself out of contention), she's been nominated for every show she opened for 40 years. But I wouldn't be surprised if they pull a Gypsy and give the award to Milioti.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
Wouldn't Bennet's nomination, if it happens, be for Best Actress in a Play rather than Best Actresss in a Musical? I know she does a lot of singing but the show is considered a Play, I believe. Either way, I'm guessing she wont get it, facing competition from Nina Arianda and Linda Lavin in the Play category and Audra MacDonald and Kelly O'Hara in the Musical category.
It's a shame for Elena- she gave a performance of absolute perfection in Passion at the Donmar, but I never thought she had the force of character for Eva.
I guess I'm in the minority here but I fully expect a nom for both Bernadette and Jan.
And then:
Audra
Milioti
Elena
I also understand why everyone thinks Audra will win, but I suspect that Jan is going to take it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
If they had a category for "Hardest Working Actor Trying Like Hell to Put Over A Badly Written, Scored, Directed and Designed Musical" then Raul Esparza would win in a walk.
I just didn't care for Peters in Follies. She didn't grab me emotionally, and I wasn't invested in her character. Maxwell, however, was great. Her character went places, and she was a joy to watch.
I think O'Hara might get shut out. I mean, is her work in "Work" even worth mentioning?
I think O'Hara might get shut out. I mean, is her work in "Work" even worth mentioning?
Well, the Drama Desk nominated her and didn't nominate Elena Roger (or Laura Osnes or Caissie Levy).
""With the exception of Into the Woods (took herself out of contention), she's been nominated for every show she opened for 40 years.""
Someone do share with me that story!
There's a longtime rumor that Peters didn't want her name submitted for contention. However, it appears to be just that. Peters was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her role as The Witch (losing to Patti for ANYTHING GOES), but she was most likely not nominated for the Tony as she had already left the show by that point.
Also, I don't think any individual actor can remove their name from consideration (cf. Julie Andrews).
And now, her Witch seems sublime. It's a performance that seems to have grown in stature, much more critical to the original production's overall success than was given credit at the time. (I was there, I recall.) Watching it now, on the exquisite DVD, I'd say Peters and Chip Zien (perfect) are the unsung heroes of the original production. I still love Gleason as much as ever, and the whole company, but watch how effortlessly Bernadette plays a role in which others have, well, shown a bit of their perspiration. I still think she's magic in it.
Just curious, but how much of a letdown would it be for "Evita" / Elena Roger if she didn't get a nomination? After all the reviews, I'm sure it's crossed their minds. from RC in Austin, Texas
As stated by others, the only INDIVIDUAL award that seems to make any sort of difference at the box office, is that of Best Play (or musical or revival) not the individual acting awards. Those only make a difference if you can rack up numbers, "winner of 12 Tony Awards" type of thing.
I would guess producers are a lot more pragmatic than the average person.
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