The Hollywood Reporter's Actress Roundtable [Tonys 2016]

[Mark-Alexis]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 1:51pm

Fantastic to see them all together. 

 

 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 1:56pm

I always really love these. The candidness of actors is so precious. I wish THR hadn't removed a female correspondent from the panel, though. It seems somewhat lacking.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 2:01pm

How do they choose who gets to be in this? Not every nominated actress is there. Like where are Renee and Phillipa or Carmen?

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 2:59pm

Call_me_jorge said: "How do they choose who gets to be in this? Not every nominated actress is there. Like where are Renee and Phillipa or Carmen?"

 

They chose who they want. It would be absurd to have all 20 nominated actresses. 

[ShoesForRent]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:20pm

^ I thought it's weird there wasn't anyone from Hamilton.. I bet it's because those two are busy, and not THR's lack of interest..

I thought it was awkward when Jessie (love her!) was talking about getting the part in Waitress- wasn't Benanti doing the early reading for that? It was weird the way they chose to phrase both the question and answer for that..

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:26pm

Call_me_jorge said: "How do they choose who gets to be in this? Not every nominated actress is there. Like where are Renee and Phillipa or Carmen?"

From the ones I have seen in the past it's normally a selection of lead actresses from musicals and plays (sometimes more musical actresses), which would exclude Renee. All of these women are very busy with press duties, especially the musical leads, so I'm sure those not included either had a conflict or weren't invited. I know Jessie was also on the roundtable when she was nominated for Beautiful so this is her second go around.

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 03:26 PM

[Valentina3]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:29pm

Call_me_jorge said: "How do they choose who gets to be in this? Not every nominated actress is there. Like where are Renee and Phillipa or Carmen?"

IdinaBellFoster: "They chose who they want. It would be absurd to have all 20 nominated actresses."

I think it's a mix of "want" and who's available. I cannot imagine them not wanting a Hamilton actress on that panel, because that would have definitely increased their viewership significantly. Ditto with Lin Manuel and Jonathan Groff being absent from actors' panel - they are fan favorites. I remember last year's THR Roundtables were very awkward - just 6 actresses without much of a conversation.

 

[bwayandstuff]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:48pm

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I actually liked that there wasn't a Hamilton actress on the round table. Not taking anything away from Pippa or Renee, but I really enjoyed hearing about the other actresses and their respective shows, especially Michelle Williams, Jessica Lange, and Lupita Nyongo. I would have loved to see Carmen though.

 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:59pm

Lupita is so eloquent. It's a shame that Hollywood can't find more roles for her, but I'm glad she's here and I hope it is to stay.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:00pm

bwayandstuff said: "This might be an unpopular opinion, but I actually liked that there wasn't a Hamilton actress on the round table. Not taking anything away from Pippa or Renee, but I really enjoyed hearing about the other actresses and their respective shows, especially Michelle Williams, Jessica Lange, and Lupita Nyongo. I would have loved to see Carmen though."

I totally agree with this. I love Hamilton and agree it's nothing against Phillipa but Hamilton tends to dominate any conversation of which it is a part.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:04pm

I wish Phillipa had been a part because she's the only person with Asian ancestry to be nominated this year. And I'm biased toward that and would like to hear more of her thoughts on her role in creating diversity.

[FlySkyHigh]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:06pm

NJ_BroadwayGirl said: "Call_me_jorge said: "How do they choose who gets to be in this? Not every nominated actress is there. Like where are Renee and Phillipa or Carmen?"

From the one's I have seen in the past it's normally a selection of lead actresses from musicals and plays (sometimes more musical actresses), which would exclude Renee. All of these women are very busy with press duties, especially the musical leads, so I'm sure those not included either had a conflict or weren't invited. I know Jessie was also on the roundtable when she was nominated for Beautiful so this is her second go around.

 

"

But isn't Megan Hilty nominated in the supporting actress category?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:14pm

Has it always been Scott Feinberg doing these?  Eh, ok.  lol.

[UnwoundFantasies]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:25pm

I haven't watched it yet, but I was also confused that Megan Hilty was on it this year. Every year it's always been a mixture of actresses both musical and play, but always leading. Even this year she's the only one who was supporting. Would've loved to see either Carmen or Philippa take her spot. AND in a perfect world, an additional roundtable with the supporting actresses! 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:27pm

FlySkyHigh said: "But isn't Megan Hilty nominated in the supporting actress category?"

Yeah I realized after I wrote the post that Hilty was in the mix and she is featured. So maybe my theory is off, but it has often been lead actresses.

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:28pm

ChildofEarth said: "I wish Phillipa had been a part because she's the only person with Asian ancestry to be nominated this year. And I'm biased toward that and would like to hear more of her thoughts on her role in creating diversity."

I agree. Phillipa has had far less press than Lin, Daveed, Leslie etc. I'd love to hear more from her, especially as Jessie Mueller had already done one of these before. Perhaps it was down to scheduling though.

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 04:28 PM

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:39pm

I love these and I absolutely love listening to what each of these women has to say coming from such different shows and experiences. The guy moderating it said it was their day off (Monday) and with Hamilton having had Monday performances here and there it may have prevented them from having Phillipa or Renee attend. 

I also agree with someone else above who said that not having a Hamilton representative was nice because it allows for the others to get a chance to get in there without it being all about Hamilton. Don't get me wrong, I adore Hamilton, but would a little less Hamilton hurt anyone? 

I do think Carmen would have been a great addition, but the panel as it was had so many great things to say and experiences to discuss. 

 

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 04:39 PM

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 4:57pm

ClumsyDude15 said: "The guy moderating it said it was their day off (Monday) and with Hamilton having had Monday performances here and there it may have prevented them from having Phillipa or Renee attend. "

Leslie did the actors one so I don't think it's that.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:03pm

Megan was also the only one to be from a closed show.

[bwayandstuff]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:11pm

I like Megan, she seems like a great person and was wonderful during the round table  but I do agree that it would have been nice to see Carmen or Pippa. Like someone said previously, in a perfect world we would be able to have round tables for both leading and supporting actresses... someday!

Overall, I really enjoyed this year's conversation and found myself thinking , "wow, these women are fascinating" multiple times. 

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:20pm

aaaaaa15 - I didn't realize that until I went to go watch the actor round table. It was just a thought, but considering Leslie was involved with the actor one, it really must have come down to scheduling/pick and choosing. 

Not to completely thread jack, but did anyone find a full video of the actor round table? All I was able to find was clips and then the full podcast version.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:23pm

ClumsyDude15 said: "Not to completely thread jack, but did anyone find a full video of the actor round table? All I was able to find was clips and then the full podcast version."

Same.

 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:45pm

Also I'm gonna be the one to say it - she's brilliant, but what is Jessica on?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:52pm

^i think it's just her personality, but your right. In interviews she always seems ditzy.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:06pm

Well, Hilty is the only one who was in a comedy play on the panel, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. Benanti and her are the only ones there doing comedies, and it'd be a shame to give her spot to Cusack or Soo or Goldsberry. This Tony season is truly the year of tragedy, no use in trying to lighten it up.