The Best Actress Tony

[AberJ01]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:22pm

Well I'm posting this and I'm already waiting for all the replies I'm going to get disagreeing with me, but that's ok. I've been watching all the nominations come out for all the awards surrounding the Tonys like the Drama Desk nominations, Outer Critics, Drama League Awards...etc. What troubles me is that I've only seen Eden Espinosa from Bklyn's name mentioned once (by the Drama League's nominations I believe). While I have LOVED Bklyn ever since I saw in it January, I know the only way it would recieve a Best Musical Nomination is if hell froze over, however I am a strong believer that Eden Espinosa's performance in the show was too strong to be ignored. Now with her only being mentioned once by all the awards leading up to the Tony's it looks like there is no way she'll recieve a nomination at the Tony's which really bothers me. Now there are names popping up that I truly believe deserve nominations, for example Victoria Clark, Sutton Foster, and one of my favorites Sherie Rene Scott, I've also seen names like Christina Applegate get nominated for a Drama Desk Award, and Jenn Gammbesse get nominated by the Outer Critics Circle. Now I did see both of those performances in Sweet Charity and All Shook Up, and they didn't come near Eden's powerful performance in Bklyn. I know there are a lot of Bklyn haters out there so be kind to my opinion, but honestly I think Bklyn deserves the one nomination at least for Best Actress. Clearly I'm not saying she should automatically win as well, but at least the nomination would be fitting. I do think someone like Applegate would I did not like whatsoever will take the nomination away in the end, but still...

[DTBG2]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:28pm

sorry if this is comment is too strong, but...

ANYONE involved in brklyn should never win anything for this show...not even Espinosa. my opinion, and i am entitled to it...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:30pm

--Christina Applegate
--Victoria Clark
--Sutton Foster
--Erin Dilly
--Sherie Rene Scott (maybe Jen Gambetese??)

[Plum]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:32pm

No one can take a nomination "away" from Espinosa if it never seemed likely she would get one in the first place. Go back and read the reviews again- her notices were mixed, to put it kindly. The only actor in that show who I can envision getting a nomination is Ramona Keller.

As for the Best Actress category, right now it's Victoria Clark's to lose. Applegate has a sort of chance, but it depends on her reviews.

[AberJ01]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:41pm

We're both entitled to our opinions, strong or not. I do strongly disagree though with how strong yours is. Like I said I'm not out there advocating that Bklyn is the best show this year on Broadway. Clearly it's not. I will admit it has a lot of problems in the book especially, but musically and talent wise I do think it was one of the best I'd ever seen. Musically I think it's a very good show. What did it for me was Eden Espinosa though. The week in January when I went I saw Bklyn and I saw Rent, Avenue Q, and Wicked. It was Idina's last week when I went and I saw Bklyn on Wednesday, and Wicked on Thursday (the night before Idina hurt herself). Speaking strictly on vocals and singing alone Eden gave the absolute best vocal performance out of all the shows, and probably one of the best I'd ever seen. Can I see a lot of the problems people have had with Bklyn overall? Yes, I can. Do I think however it's fair to say though that Eden did give one of the top 6 performances by a leading female on Broadway this year? Absolutely. It's fine to not nominate Bklyn in anything else this year. Look at Aida, my favorite musical. That show, how I do not know, was more than robbed of a Best Musical nomination, but Heather Headley who was BRILLANT won the Tony that she deserved. God this was the year that Contact won for god sake. Anyway, my argument is just that being fair Eden deserves the nomination for what SHE did. WAY over anyone like Applegate who was horrid in Sweet Charity or Jenn Gammbasse because hell Bklyn deserves a Musical nod before All Shook Up for that mattter...

[Jera]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:45pm

"We're both entitled to our opinions, strong or not. I do strongly disagree though with how strong yours is."

hehe.

jera

p.s. I respect your opinion, but I disagree.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 7:45pm

I want Sutton Foster to win the Tony.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:16pm

I think Sherie is basically a lock for a nomination in this category as well. Three locks are certainly Victoria Clark, Sutton Foster, and Sherie. Most likely Christina as well, for her effort alone, unless reviews are terrible. I'm not sure about the 5th, I probably haven't seen the show that the 5th one will come from. You guys think Erin Dilly? Gambetese maybe? And I'm pretty sure in Ken Mandelbaum's analyzation of Tonys, he put Eden in the featured category, but he could be wrong.

[alphieboy]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:20pm

Frankly, the only person in Brooklyn who deserves a nod is Ramona Keller.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:25pm

Eden Espinosa does not need to be given a Tony.
She needs to be given back my money.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:27pm

Clark, Scott, and Foster are likely locks.

Applegate will probably get a nom, for determination and gusto.

The 5th spot is up in the air, but I wouldn't hold your breath for Espinosa. I'd got with Dilly , Errico, or Gambatrese, although, honestly slot 4 or 5 are merely filling space this year. There were really only 3 great female performances, and only one truly jaw dropping one.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:28pm

Exactly, Bobby. Kelli O'Hara made my jaw drop right to the floor.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:29pm

The category was a lot stronger last year, wasn't it? Even the nominee who was considered least likely to win- Stephanie D'Abruzzoo- was wonderful.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 9:18pm

I think Clark, Foster, Scott, AND Applegate are locks...

And I don't think Erin Dilly deserves a nom at all.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 9:42pm

I'm really hoping that Sutton Foster wins. I understand that she already has one and she's young with plenty of time left to win many more, but I personally think that she is extraordinary.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 9:43pm

I'm weighing in even though I've not seen any of these performances and am just going on word of mouth from people I trust, some reviews and instinct. I think that Scott is a lock and deservedly so, if only for the ridiculous oversight she suffered during Aida, a year(2000), full of oversights as I have repeatedly stated in threads past.In other words, "they" owe her. Clark is another veteren who's paid serious dues and from all accounts, gives a stunning performance. Gambetese was mostly overlooked in most reviews and would only get a nod if they are desperate to fill a slot and I doubt that'll happen. As for Espinosa, I think the show is too reviled for the panel to want to give it any aknowledgement. I think Applegate is also a lock and Dilly is in a show that everyone loves. I dare say Applegate might have an edge. We all know what star"youknowwhaters" the Tony voters/nominators are.

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 9:47pm

I want Sherie to win if Sutton does not.

I thought Dilly got mediocre reviews.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 10:00pm

Sutton Foster deserves the Tony...more than she did for Millie.
She puts so much passion into playing Jo March, and she really does a magnificent job of maturing as the character is supposed to get older to show the change in years.
"Little Women" IS such an ensemble show, but Sutton Foster really captivates the audience with her performance.

If there is one thing I am set upon, it's that Sutton Foster deserves the Best Actress Tony and Maureen McGovern deserves Best Supporting Actress.

[kegrinds]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 10:10pm

No, I totally agree with AberJ01. Although BKLYN wasn't the greatest show I've ever seen, I do believe it is being overlooked. If Christina Applegate gets a nom it's totally just because of her name.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:15am

I'll allow the idea of Sutton Foster winning a Tony for Little Women as soon as she gives back the one she won for overplaying Millie.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:16am

Victoria Clark and her rave reviews say hi, by the way. :)

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:31am

Once again, as in the male counterpart to this thread, the wonderful actresses who are not in musicals have been forgotten.
Kathleen Turner in Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?
HELLO PEOPLE!! SEE MORE PLAYS!!! BROADWAY IS NOT JUST MUSICALS!!!

My ranting is done...

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 12:41am

I'm just curious...for those of you saying that Sutton deserves the Tony, did you see Victoria Clark in Light In The Piazza? I saw both and while I loved Sutton and before LITP I would have given her the Tony, I just think Clark was amazing in it. I mean if you did, good for you, but I don't think it's fair to say who deserves the tony if you haven't seen the performances of all of the strong contenders.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 1:06am

My wish list of nominations most of which are locks:
Clark
Foster
Rene-Scott
Applegate
Errico (which wont happen, I predict somehow it will be Dilly)

and in plays: *because I love them and for Lizzie*
Turner
Richardson
Cherry Jones
Rashad
Lange (the later two more on reputation)

Posted: 5/4/05 at 1:10am

OH THAT'S RIGHT!! Gem of the Ocean is up this year... Yeah, I didn't see that, but I heard she was phenomenal... who would expect any less??

Natasha Richardson also deserves props... I should've mentioned this in the male thread, but the male counterparts, Bill Irwin and John C. Reilly also are up there in the male actor in a play category