The Tony Race So Far: on James Barbour

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:06pm

James Barbour might just have a chance for a nomination. So far, the locks seem to be:

David Alvarez/Trent Kowalik/Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot
Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek the Musical

By the end of the season, the other possibilities will probably be:

Craig Bierko, Guys and Dolls
Oliver Platt, Guys and Dolls
(whoever plays Claude), Hair
Matt Cavenaguh, West Side Story
Hunter Bell, [title of show]
Jeff Bowen, [title of show]

Of this list, the ones most likely to be left out are:

-Matt Cavenaguh (the role of Tony is cursed, in a way, as a white-bread part: the show-stealing roles are Anita and Bernardo, and maybe Action)
-Hunter Bell and/or Jeff Bowen (it's very possible that one of these two will be nominated, but I think it's more likely that they be nominated in the Best Book/Best Original Score categories)

As for the others, James Barbour might be able to knock Craig Bierko or (whoever plays Claude) out: both roles can, if played wrongly, come across as bland.

But it's a precarious situation. If they all deliver great performances (or even good ones), or if the nomination committee likes [TITLE OF SHOW] enough to nominate an actor, Barbour probably won't get in. Two Cities isn't a very well-liked show, and he is probably its best chance for a nomination.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:08pm

It's not often they nominate actors from shows that already closed. I remember everyone was convinced Maria Freidman would be nominated for WOMAN IN WHITE, and well she wasn't.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:10pm

ljay....I have to say: Your icon is absolutely STUNNING. Thank you.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:14pm

Bierko is gonna be nominated??? YEAH RIGHT!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:15pm

I remember everyone was convinced Maria Freidman would be nominated for WOMAN IN WHITE, and well she wasn't.

Yes, but who was she up against? Sutton Foster (even Ben Brantley liked her in DROWSY), Patti LuPone (who was considered the frontrunner), Chita Rivera (why would they NOT nominate Chita Rivera?), Kelli O'Hara (who had the Ingenue Gone Lead status, and the excellent PAJAMA GAME revival behind her), and LaChanze (even if she hardly did anything in the show, how guilty would one feel to nominate THE COLOR PURPLE for Best Musical, and not nominate the leading character? Also, she won.)

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:21pm

It was wrong that Chita Rivera was nominated (she played herself in a revue), and also wrong that Sutton Foster was considered a lead. Maria Friedman should have been at least nominated (I am glad LaChanze won). I am still disappointed that they did not recognize her excellent work in that musical (her personal health setbacks aside).

ETA: I have full respect for the talents of the aforementioned Rivera and Foster...but sometimes politics get in the way of recognizing deserving candidates.

Updated On: 12/18/08 at 06:21 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:21pm

Don't count out Malcolm Gets and Will Chase for THE STORY OF MY LIFE, or possibly Sean Hayes for the rumored revival of DAMN YANKEES. I can't see Barbour getting a nod for this show.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:22pm

Don't count out Malcolm Gets and Will Chase for THE STORY OF MY LIFE...

Dammit, I knew I forgot something.

Never mind, then: Barbour doesn't have a chance!

(just kidding, don't throw stones)

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:25pm

Have you seen his performance "TheCharleston"?
Updated On: 12/18/08 at 06:25 PM

[philly03]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 7:06pm

"I remember everyone was convinced Maria Freidman would be nominated for WOMAN IN WHITE, and well she wasn't.

Yes, but who was she up against? Sutton Foster (even Ben Brantley liked her in DROWSY), Patti LuPone (who was considered the frontrunner), Chita Rivera (why would they NOT nominate Chita Rivera?), Kelli O'Hara (who had the Ingenue Gone Lead status, and the excellent PAJAMA GAME revival behind her), and LaChanze (even if she hardly did anything in the show, how guilty would one feel to nominate THE COLOR PURPLE for Best Musical, and not nominate the leading character? Also, she won.) "

Yes, I think it's best to note Maria's health during her run. Not to sound cheezy/disrespect to Mr. Heath Ledger, but in a way the two are similar (except, obviously Maria is healthy now :)). Not saying it's not possible Ledger wouldn't get a nom. for his role in the Dark Night, but it's obviosuly pushed since his death. With Maria, many people thought she deserved it, not only because she is an incredible talent, but because she managed to fight cancer at the same time. I'm one of those who would have absoultely loved her to get atleast a nom., but anytime your original cast is only togehter in what, somewhat around 50 performances (all 8 "leads"), it's never good.

But this isn't about WiW! It's about Tale/Barbour. I'll personally be pulling for Barbour as a big fan of ATOTC, but I wouldn't be suprised if he didn't. And Tale shouldn't be a total shut out. Perhaps costumes or the lighting may get some nominations, although I don't know too well about cosutmes, considering all the ones I tend to like don't get nominations (Like Pimpernel!)? Looking back at the production photos I did really like the lighting which is A) something you shouldn't come out saying !, and B) not all too great when it was a deserving show!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 7:11pm

Don't forget about Risch. He probably won't get a nod but he's still in the running...

And at this point, I think Barbour will probably get nominated. There's no way in hell he'll win...and the more I think about it, we do have roughly six months 'til the Tonys. It is really early to predict these kinds of things...especially when it's a show like ATOTC which was a huge flop and may be forgotten by time June rolls around. We'll see...

[commasplice]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 7:40pm

Has the Tony Committee made a ruling on the Billy Elliot boys yet?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 8:00pm

Hunter Bell
Jeff Bowen
James Barbour
Graham Phillips
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish
Brian d'Arcy James
Matthew Risch
Malcolm Gets
Will Chase
Oliver Platt
Craig Bierko
Matt Cavenaugh
Constantine Maroulis

as well as Sean Hayes and whoever is in HAIR.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:58pm

BP, I like your "Also, she won." :) Reminds me of Dorothy Parker's "P.S. He got it."

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:13pm

I wouldn't be surprised if Barbour was nominated, but he doesn't stand a chance against the boys from Billy Elliot, who should be able to share a nomination (and win).

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:17pm

It wouldn't really be fair to the other nominated actors to award 3 boys the Tony, because they will be awarding the role not the actor. I know it's been said a thousand times, but give them a Special Tony.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 1:56am

I say FORGET about Cavanaugh his singing and his acting are weak at the best, we still have MINSKYS and a possible DeafWest PIPPIN transfer with another double lead

[sgv123]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 2:33am

The Billys will be nominated together.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 2:36am

You're on the Administration Committee?

[sgv123]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 3:01am

no, I am not. I guess what I meant to say is that they will most likely be nominated together. I don't see why they won't be.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 3:15am

Well, how about the fact that each actor only performs 2-3 performances a week?

I understand it's a taxing role, but Broadway is about performing eight shows a week, at the very least six, with a twice-a-week understudy, as has been the case a few times in the past.

Is it fair to put actors who perform their roles eight shows a week up against these boys who only perform two or three?

[sgv123]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 3:20am

I agree with what you said about them only doing 2-3 shows a week while others are doing 8. Just going on what they did in London and Australia, so them being nominated together won't be a surprise at all. I know that it is a different committee, so I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 11:52am

is there any truth to the rumor that barbour will sing "thank heaven for little girls" at the tony awards surrounded by scanitly clad tweens?

[tazber]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 12:00pm

He ain't got a snowbird's chance in hell.

Do you think the Tony committee is really gonna nominate a pedophile?

Updated On: 12/19/08 at 12:00 PM

[Dre2387]

Posted: 12/19/08 at 12:09pm

geez, just leave him alone already! We all know what he's done. just shut up about it.