Theater Talk speculates about Tony winners- Page 3

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:26pm

I adore David Hyde Pierce to high heaven and think he's delightful and perfect in "Curtains," all the more impressive since the show is pretty lame.

Also, Cerveris gives possibly the most subtle, nuanced performance I've seen in a musical in "LoveMusik," also shining in not the best work.

But I've really got to go with the front-runner here-- Esparza was just amazing, especially when you consider his performances in the past (not quality, just the kind of performances they were). He put a totally new perspective on Bobby, lending him more of a believable quality than past versions have had and beautifully projected the kind of friend he was and gives us little hints that make his transformation/outburst at the end completely understandable. Him (and Barbara Walsh for that matter) make these characters real people, not simply figures in a musical that we just need to go along with what they're doing because they're doing it.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:40pm

Riedel may also be stating his prediction on the inside view that Esparza is so unliked in the Theatre community.
Many Stage managers, producers and techies are voters.
Yes,the Critcs like him and The middle aged women think he is dreamy, and he certainly is talented, but many who have worked with him have nothing but bad things to say about his attitude.
The TONY voters are a mixed bag, The out of Towners may say, geez,that guy from Frasier can sing and dance! And the intellectuals may say, This is Cerveris as his most cerebral.
Actually Who the heck knows, but i think Raul has the momentum this year to take it.
And Raul aso has the strongest material (Sondheim and Furst) working for him.
And he could be the next John Lloyd Young.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:45pm

And he could be the next John Lloyd Young.

For what it's worth, this isn't to start a feud, so perhaps you can answer the question without being rude or behaving like a child -- I'm genuinely curious as to what you mean by that. JLY sort of appeared out of nowhere, which isn't really the case here, and then went on to become a Tony winner shortly after shooting out of the proverbial cannon. Do you mean in terms of momentum, the way JLY won most (all?) of the other awards and then sailed straight through to nab the Tony? JLY would hardly be the first to do that, though, I'm sure.

Updated On: 5/27/07 at 11:45 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:48pm

I was going to ask the same thing.

Great minds...

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:48pm

"I would have no problem with Jones winning choreography for SPRING AWAKENING, except for one thing: during "Totally F*CKed" when the cast stands on the edge of the stage and basically, collectively, has a ceisure. It's AWFUL."

I LOVE your description of that moment! That's all.
Updated On: 5/28/07 at 11:48 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:02am

Well, it is my opinion (and I admit to being in the minority)
that they are way overated and (not just my opion)they have Diva reputations.
but let's talk about Jonathon Groff instead.
He's so cute.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:04am

?

But what's the connection between John Lloyd Young and Raul Esparza?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:08am

They will both win undeserved lead Actor TONYS over the brilliant Michael Cerveris.
Again, just my opinion.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:10am

I understand now.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:37am

Thank you for clarifying.

But yes, if we're talking overrated, let's certainly talk about Jonathan Groff, shall we? He's so boring.

Updated On: 5/28/07 at 12:37 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:40am

Well, we agree on that.
he's cute and has a good voice
but does he belong in this mix
No Way
Michael Arden was better in THE TIMES.....

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 1:01am

Well, Arden probably has more talent in his left pinky than Jonathan Groff does in his entire body, so...

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 1:06am

No probably there.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 1:10am

I was trying to be nice(r). =P

I worked with Michael a few years ago, so I should have known not to insert the "probably."

Updated On: 5/28/07 at 01:10 AM

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 1:18am

I must disagree with the long-gestating consensus that Groff is pretty but boring.

He's pretty but genuinely BAD. He's not just bland, he overacts insanely, putting waaaay too much emphasis on nearly everything he does. Watch how he reacts when Herr Schtieffel (?) gets thwacked by Stephen Spinella, and how he overstated his first "F*CKed" in recent performance.



As for Pierce:

"The TONY voters are a mixed bag, The out of Towners may say, geez,that guy from Frasier can sing and dance!"

Actually, I think they might say "Wow, that guy from Frasier is the start of a musical, yet they only give him two songs to sing in the entire show."

[BwayFan832]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 2:01am

"I would have no problem with Jones winning choreography for SPRING AWAKENING, except for one thing: during "Totally F*CKed" when the cast stands on the edge of the stage and basically, collectively, has a ceisure. It's AWFUL."

It's "seizure." Not that I completely disagree with you, just thought I'd point that out since it honestly took me a few seconds to figure out what you were trying to say.

I think Jones's choreography is pretty incredible- it may not be typical "Broadway dancing" but I don't know that I've ever seen a show in which the choreography so perfectly matches the mood, messages and themes. I've seen the show many times and the choreography, particularly during Touch Me, never fails to take my breath away.

RE: Jonathan Groff. I don't know why people are so disgusted by his performance. I don't think the role itself is that great. I think Jonathan does the best he can with it. His voice is beautiful and I think he works his butt off every single night. The fact that he has yet to miss a performance, off or on Broadway, speaks for itself. All that being said, I would never dare to say I think he deserves the Tony. I think that Esparza and Pierce are just about equally deserving. I enjoyed Gavin Lee's performance very, very much, and I thought Cerveris's was admirable, but I'd give the Tony to either Esparza or Pierce. Probably Esparza.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 2:02am

any chance for Liev to win Best Actor (Play)?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 2:06am

It would definitely be a spoiler but I doubt it. Then again, they like to throw in a surprise in at least one of the major acting categories. I remember just about everyone predicted Bryan F. O'Byrne would win in 2004 for DOUBT and Bill Irwin ended up taking the award home.
I'm pretty sure it will go to Langella though.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 12:41pm

I love her to bits, but I'd really hate for Angela to win the Tony for sentimental reasons. It sends a subtle signal to writers everywhere that "It doesn't matter how mediocre your play is. Get a proven star or legend to appear in it and your apalling lack of craft WON'T MATTER."

[JB Fan]

Posted: 5/28/07 at 1:32pm

"They will both win undeserved lead Actor TONYS over the brilliant Michael Cerveris.
Again, just my opinion."

When did you see Lovemusik? I missed your review on here.