Tony Awards Race - Audra vs. Nicole Edition

I've now seen both performances, and am truly torn. I think overall, Nicole is giving a stronger performance from start to finish but some of Audra's work (especially in Act Two / Rose's Turn) was remarkable.

Os it there a wildcard I'm missing?

I think everyone is being very presumptuous about a season where there haven't really been pans of any leading performances.

Wait, Sutton Foster isn’t favored to win? /s

Yeah, the season is only half over let’s not count people out yet. Nicole very well could take it but this doesn’t seem like a “Grey Gardens” situation where Ebersole was going to win no matter who else on earth she was up against.

I think Audra McDonald is a better actress in a vacuum, but what Scherzinger is doing is Sunset Blvd. is more interesting and successful.

But big picture, I find it kind of interesting so many people assume this is a two woman race when shows like Redwood, Operation Mincemeat, Smash, Boop!, The Last 5 Years, and Real Women Have Curves haven't even begun previews yet.

In contrast, actors are rarely even considered for Oscar nominations unless they're in a movie released in the last couple of months of eligibility.

Audra will win but Sunset will win for Best Musical Revival. There you have it.

BdwyFan said: "Audra will win but Sunset will win for Best Musical Revival. There you have it."

This is what I'm thinking. I could see Sunset winning direction too.

Updated On: 1/11/25 at 02:34 PM

Sutton Ross said: "Lolz. Nah, I'll do what I like as always. You telling people they are wrong for having a different opinion adds nothing to the conversation. Your opinion isn't fact and you dismissing performances that no one has seen yet is laughable, ignorant, and the most predictable thing eva 😘

Georgeanddot2 said: "Jonathan Cohen said: "I thinkAudra McDonald is a better actress in a vacuum, but whatScherzinger is doing is SunsetBlvd. is more interesting and successful."

Respectfully, this isn't even slightly true.

I think Nicole is successful and interesting within that show, but I need us to be so serious here. When those two performances are looked at side by side, it's obvious who is giving the more interesting, layered, complex performance and it's Audra giving the best performance of her illustrious career. There really is no competition for those who have actually seen Audra's performance and not just listened to an audio bootleg from the first preview. She's bringing something entirely new to that role.

Oh and there's not going to be some random third party that wins this award. It's a two person race, unless there's a vote split."

You're criticizing people for forming opinions of McDonald's performance based on a bootleg, but at the same time dismissing the idea of a third person winning the award for performances you haven't seen. How is that different?

Here's my problem with McDonald's performance: her operatic style of singing just doesn't work as well for the character as the belting style of singing that's been traditionally been used, given Rose's pugilistic demeanor. While it's worked for some people, I'm far from being alone on an island with that opinion.

Even with reservations, Gypsy was one of the 10 best shows I saw in 2024 and I thought McDonald was a net positive in the role. I just don't think the performance was successful enough to merit getting an award.

I’m still Team Hilty!