Ron Raines for FOLLIES? Really?!

In a production chalk full of wonderful, colorful performances, his was a snooze. I'd have rather seen tons of other fellas nominated over him.

Obviously, there's the Raul Esparza in LEAP OF FAITH snub (which really IS a snub, since the real problem-the musical itself-did somehow swing a nomination. Had it been shut out, the Esparza oversight would've been defensible).

As pretty as he's already sitting with a nomination for NEWSIES in the same category, Jeremy Jordan's work in BONNIE AND CLYDE was totally electric to a degree that his current Disney gig doesn't offer opportunity for. In a relatively bland season, his performance as Clyde was my favorite "good performance in a bad show." With that in mind, had LEAP OF FAITH been rightly ignored, I'd have rather seen Jordan nominated twice and Esparza not nominated, as much as I do adore him. He just couldn't overcome the material quite as well as Jordan did.

If you're unimpressed with Ron Raines's nomination, which performance would you rather see in its place?

Updated On: 5/1/12 at 07:01 PM

So did I.

I thought they were all great, even Bernadette.

The only switch I'd make in their nominees would be Terri White for Houdyshell.

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Ron Raines was wonderful, his voice was impeccable and actibg spot-on for the role.
He is the perfect 5th contender in the category,
the anti-the Raul.

I would have gone with Teri White, as well. But Houdyshell was wonderful, too.

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I loved Terri White's performance too.

Updated On: 5/1/12 at 07:16 PM

Raines has probably the trickiest role in Follies. I thought he tackled it with great intricacy and detail. It could have easily been a ham-fest in other hands. It's probably the first time I really empathized with Ben. To each their own, I guess, but I found him moving and heartbreaking.

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Raines gave a very good performance with the given material. Ben's such a skimpy role and Ron played it very well. I'm happy to see him recognized for his work in the show. He has a great set of pipes and he acted the role beautifully.

Ben is also not exactly a "likeable" character, so that is an acting challenge in and of itself.

No, he isn't likeable throughout the show but if "Live, Laugh, Love" is acted, sang, and directed well he emerges as an incredibly tragic figure just as the curtain's about to fall. All of those boxes were checked off with Raines's performance and there's no doubt in my mind he deserves the nomination. The song, when done well, really changes the whole perspective of the show as we spend most of the time hating Ben only to realize the tremendous "folly" he's been living all of his life.

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Updated On: 5/1/12 at 10:17 PM

As I said I thought Raines sang the part well, but I've seen four different productions of the show and I found his interpretation of the part probably the weakest I've seen in terms of acting.

I thought Raines was wonderful, and I'm very glad he's being recognized with a nomination. All the pre-awards buzz in terms of leading actors has been about Danny Burstein, and although I thought Burstein gave a great performance, I thought Raines was at least as good in what seems like a more difficult role.

Updated On: 5/1/12 at 11:07 PM

^Exactly.

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He was fine. You were gratuitously nasty to start this thread. And it's "chock full" not "chalk full."

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