After seeing Donna Murphy in Follies last night (where if she were eligible she would've posed a threat to Ebersole), I realized that not only is she a brilliant actress (her one-liners killed and the choices she made with "Could I Leave You?" were a revelation) but that she captivates the audience. She got such reactions from everyone, people were loving her. So as I was saying, after seeing that last night I think it's gonna come down to Murphy and Ebersole.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Just from all the raves she got in Chicago. Every reviewer, no matter how negative, praised her powerful performance - "worth the price of admission," "holds up the show" etc.
Say it Somehow, I don't think "The Pirate Queen" will last long enough for voters to remember Block. Not in a season this strong..
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
They should trim the "Riverdance" down a little bit. It is very long, even when watching it. Although I am sad because I love watching Andy dance. I hope they don't cut "There, RIght There!" - It isn't one of my personal favorites, but it is very funny and always got a great response from the audience while I was there. As much as I love "Take it Like A Man" it can be trimmed or cut. My biggest hope is that they cut "Ireland" and give Orfeh a better song, but that would require too many changes elsewhere in the plot. That song is so out of place to me.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
Everyone is talking about Murphy and Bundy being a threat to Ebersole, but for months, i've been saying that the one Ebersole has to watch out for is the never to be underestimated Audra.
Audra has 4 Tony awards, I'd highly call her underestimated.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
aren't we going a little overboard with this? I mean a few reviews come out that are mixed to great and people are already talking about Jerry Mitchell as the best director/choreographer? This show hasn't even hit manhattan yet, and people are saying that its going to be in the "best musical" category? Are people on this board swayed that easily by 6 San Fransisco reviewers, one saying "It has no heart, but is good fun"? The wedding singer had no heart but it was good fun as well. See what happened to that show. I just think all these amazing preominitions about this show are deeply premature. a week ago, seemed like 3/4 of this board hated the show and the title song especially. Now because of a few good to great reviews the show is the next Wicked? Come on. Remember Wicked's Nyc reviwes. Mostly mixed and it has become a worlwide phenomenon. Reviews don't mean crap. Spring Awakening got the best reviews I have almost ever seen and it still can barely make a profit (which is actually hasn't yet seeing how many weeks in the red it was before it even opened).
Out of town buzz on HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS, and SPAMALOT was all good, and all the shows went on to become hits, much like off Broadway buzz for GREY GARDENS AND SPRING AWAKENING has also turned into Broadway Box Office success. Out of town word on SWEET CHARITY and THE WEDDING SINGER was bad, and the shows failed. It's not hard to imagine LEGALLY BLONDE becoming a hit based on it's San Francisco reviews.
Having done several weeks of performances in SF, I can say that their taste is NOT the taste of most ny theatregoers; of course, it could still do well, but I think NYC also has alot of movie-to-musical fatigue--hope this show can rise above it.
I think Donna is ALWAYS in contention for Tonys--she's the Meryl of Bway.
"It is to early to judge pirate queen...they did not do so hot out of town."
Except for the universal raves for Block's performance, which looked like an early indicator for a Tony nom. No matter what the critics hated about Pirate Queen, they all pretty much agreed that Block was a powerhouse on stage.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
"I think Donna is ALWAYS in contention for Tonys--she's the Meryl of Bway."
I think if anyone is the "Meryl Streep of Broaday" it's Audra McDonald.
Audra has been nominated for every show she's ever had a principle role in except one. She's won four Tony's out of five nominations (three of which came before the age of thirty,) and has won for both straight plays and musicals.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
No, then Audra would be the Kate Hepburn of Bway--I say that about Donna because she has been around for MUCH longer than Audra, takes on a HUGE variety of roles and styles, and gives a layered, comic and touching performance every time she steps on that stage.
Not to disparage Audra, but Donna can act circles around her.
I make the Meryl connection not because of awards, but the career.
lildogs, although Donna may have been around longer, they have been in almost the same amount of shows (counting "110 in the Shade" and "LoveMusik," Audra has been in seven Broadway shows, while Donna has done eight.)
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
It is too pre-mature to tell who will be the biggest contendor for The Best Actress In A Musical nominees {excluding Ebersole who seems a lock for her nomination}
Its also too pre-mature to tell how LB will fair once it hits New York. But, those reviews can only help the show do better.
Its my opinon, and mine alone, that you can't judge something till you've seen it.
"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.
I thought you might bring that up--I'm talking stage time, though....and you can think Audra is better than Donna, it's not a crime or even worng necessarily...I just have different criteria--and I LOVE Audra--I don't think anyone SINGS better than she does, but she's not as good an ACTOR as Donna--in my very unimportant opinion.
There are only 4 or 5 people allowed per category right?
Therefore, I predict for best leading female: Christine Ebersole,Audra M,Kristin C, Maybe Ashley Brown or Luker,Debra Monk? I just can't see laura bell beating out any of these ladies for a spot...