Tony Awards Race - Audra vs. Nicole Edition- Page 2

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 5:29pm

I’m still Team Hilty!

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 5:37pm

Georgeanddot2 said: "It sounds like you approached Audra's Rose with impenetrable preconceived notions about how that character should be played, instead of engaging with that performance on it's own terms. And yes, people who listened to a bootleg have largely dominated the conversation surrounding this performance. So much so, that the production has told the staff to be really super serious about phones being out during the show. It is IN MY OPINION (apparently we must make that very clear here) that Audra's performance is significantly more successful and interesting than anything going on in that Sunset revival and is worthy of that award.

As for a third name seriously entering this conversation, it just seems unlikely from where we stand now."

I think getting into a back and forth defending my opinion as legitimate would be a profound waste of both our times. 

However regarding those bootleg recordings, I do think their influence is more than zero but not shaping the overall conversation. Any show that's a revival, the general audience is going to come in with preconceived notions. Especially a show with a movie, TV movie, and that's been on Broadway many times.

I think negatively or favorably, paying audiences are holding up McDonald's performance against Ethel Merman, Rosalind Russell, Patti LuPone, even a 60 year clip of Judy Garland singing Some People as opposed to judging her by a poor qualify recordings from people's laps.

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 5:43pm

NOWaWarning said: "I’m still Team Hilty!"

And just like that she's the frontrunner!

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 5:48pm

Audra is giving a world class once in a life time performance. Scherzinger is (very successfully) pandering and showing off and belting like a goddess. In any just universe, this is Audra's award without question---as between the two of them.

but pitting these two against each other, and starting this WHICH DIVA IS BETTER conversation in January, is lame as f.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 5:51pm

Of course, there’s also the possibility that Audra and Nicole could split votes and cancel each other out, paving the way for somebody else. (Hilty? Belcon? Rogers? Warren?)

 

[singer234]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 6:15pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Of course, there’s also the possibility that Audra and Nicolecould split votes and cancel each other out, paving the way for somebody else. (Hilty? Belcon? Rogers? Warren?)

"

I'm definitely seeing a 2018 repeat of the 6 best actress nominees again, when Taylor Louderman slipped in for Mean Girls. This is an especially tough year, one of the toughest in many years. And almost all are beloved and a good majority are in breakout roles/making a big return to the stage after a hiatus. If I had to guess...

1. Audra

2. Nicole

3. Megan

4. Idina

5. Jen

6. Toss up of Jasmine, Helen, or Adrienne

I think Smash will likely try to push Robyn in featured due to the heavy competition in lead but I didn't see the workshops so I can't speak to the size of the role. If they didn't share a bow, I'd try to put Jen in featured for Death Becomes Her too.

 

And none of this takes into consideration Jinx for Pirates...which could be a huge hit or huge flop. Who knows. Phew-none of these women came to f**k around this season. It's kind of thrilling.

 

 

Updated On: 1/11/25 at 06:15 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 7:14pm

I’m honestly quite shocked that not a SOUL has brought Natalia Venetia Belcon into the conversation for BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB. This was an acclaimed and award-winning performance off-Broadway that could EASILY upend the stars we normally think would be walkaway winners (think Cole Escola likely knocking off Denzel, Kieran, and Clooney for the Tony)

Considering the split between Audra and Nicole, I’m betting on a possible nullification.

The nominee pool will definitely be expanded to six, but I think of the six nominees, we will have:

1) Nicole

2) Audra

3) Natalia Venetia Belcon

4) Jasmine Amy Rogers

5) Megan Hilty (I think she will edge out Simard)

6) Helen J. Shen

The Featured Categories are going to be a royal s#!+s#0w…but that’s another conversation.

 

[Mike66]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 8:26pm

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

THIS.

Audra is beyond extraordinary in a revival that is otherwise less than memorable.  (For all of the reasons folks have been posting 500 times...  After seeing it, I spent the balance of the evening marveling at her performance.  It wasnt until the next day that I started thinking that the revival itself is kinda 'meh'

(Of course, it's totally possible that another show opens in the next 3+ months that make us forget both of these.  Well, no, it's not.)

[east side story]

Posted: 1/11/25 at 8:47pm

I think Nicole being in the stronger production will push her ahead, slightly. 

[crazya80]

Posted: 1/12/25 at 12:41am

Having now seen them both, I can say that if there’s any justice in the world, it will be Audra. Her performance was truly one of the greatest pieces of acting I’ve ever seen. Nicole was great, but not in the same league. That being said, seems like on buzz alone it’s still Nicole’s to lose. 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 1/12/25 at 7:49am

I think it is a two person race regardless of what happens the rest of the season. I feel like things are trending slightly towards Audra right now but Nicole is right there too. It's not going to be someone other than those two.

I also think the DBH team is going to try to put Simard in Featured.

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 1/12/25 at 8:33am

I think this conversation shows how empty and meaningless awards are. You can't really compare a grounded, reality performance with one that is completely stylized. Audra and Nicole (and their directors) have different objectives in mind. One or the other will likely win the popularity contest but it won't mean one is "better" than the other. 

[binau]

Posted: 1/13/25 at 3:47am

Bwaygurl2, I have to agree that it is very difficult to compare their performances. Audra's is a mammoth masterwork of traditional acting and vocal technique, whereas Nicole's is an abstract aesthetic journey. I don't believe that either actress is capable of doing what the other one is doing right now either.

For me, Nicole's aesthetic (singing timbre + stylised acting) is highly unique and unlike anything I have ever seen or heard before in any medium. The same way in my mind there is a unique construct of Bernadette in Sunday, Alice Ripley in next to normal, Ebersole in Grey Gardens etc. there is such thing as Nicole in Sunset with the same parameters. 

Audra's Rose still operates within the known sphere of performance technique, whereas Nicole's breaks ground. This is as much Jamie Lloyd's vision as it is Nicole's execution. 

I would give it to Nicole just to recognise the major advancement and contribution, but I would be happy for Audra to win too.

 

[Dirty Chestnut]

Posted: 1/26/25 at 6:33pm

Audra McDonald will win her 7th Tony Award for her knockout performance in Gypsy.

[VanillaIceCream2]

Posted: 1/26/25 at 11:06pm

Because the Gypsy revival as a whole hasn't been received particularly well, I can see the theatre wing awarding Sunset best revival and best director and giving Audra the leading actress trophy. I'm not sure if her awards history helps or hurts -- clearly the voters like her a lot, but who knows if there will be an attitude of "she has enough." 

[DanS3]

Posted: 1/26/25 at 11:25pm

VanillaIceCream2 said: "Because the Gypsy revival as a whole hasn't been received particularly well…."

With all due respect, besides the reaction on this board, Gypsy is one of the two best reviewed shows on Broadway right now. The other being Maybe Happy Ending. 

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/gypsy-2/

 

 

[Dirty Chestnut]

Posted: 1/26/25 at 11:26pm

I think people on this board are severely overestimating sunset boulevard.  The feeling out there in the community is not nearly as pro sunset as on here. I mean, Gypsy got across the board better reviews than Sunset did.  

[VanillaIceCream2]

Posted: 1/26/25 at 11:29pm

Granted I haven't read every Gypsy review but the ones that I did read have praised Audra unequivocally but had some gripes with the production overall. I thought Sara Holdren's review for Vulture was particularly thoughtful.

But point taken that the reactions on this board certainly aren't representative! 

[The Other One]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 8:01am

Nicole will be nominated and her performance will be well remembered, but she will not win a Tony over Audra.  In addition to Audra's legendary talent and stature, there are too many other factors at play.  The quality of Gypsy vs. the quality of Sunset Boulevard, the worship of Sondheim vs. the begrudged respect for Webber, the racial angle added to Gypsy by Wolfe's direction and most of the casting, the perceived resurgence of a racist national mood that must be fought...the 2025 Tonys are likely to be a night in Audra's and Gypsy's honor.

Updated On: 1/27/25 at 08:01 AM

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 10:01am

Nicole is great, but Audra gave the best performance I saw in the last few years. Seeing Audra in Gypsy gave me the same goosebumps as when I saw Bette Midler in Hello Dolly!.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 10:20am

Both stars are cast against type. Audra has better source material but a weakly directed production. Nicole's got iffy source material but tight direction and a strong point of view. It will be a matter of taste for Tony voters and either decision (or a wild card) will outrage half of Broadwayworld. 

Updated On: 1/28/25 at 10:20 AM

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 12:45pm

Updated On: 2/19/25 at 12:45 PM

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 12:51pm

IDK, after seeing both shows I really don't know how this is even a question.

Audra brings interesting insights and a professional rendering of the score, but the production falls so short of the last revival (a Gypsy without a magnetic Gypsy Rose Lee!) that I can't really separate her from my disappointment. And this is a perfect show, with every opportunity and more to blow you away. Add in that Audra's voice is just... not meant for the score, and it's a lethal combination. Audra doesn't underwhelm like the rest of the production, but I left feeling just kinda like... "Ok, so that's what Audra as Rose is like."

Nicole gives a stylized, unmoored, go-for-broke performance. It is the stuff of legends and will be remembered as one of the great star turns on Broadway. And the production around her takes a mediocre show and elevates it to its highest possible level, beating the audience into submission every step of the way.

For my money, the only must-see performance on Broadway right now is at the St. James.

[chernjam]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 1:58pm

Mike66 said: "
Audra is beyond extraordinary in a revival that is otherwise less than memorable. (For all of the reasons folks have been posting 500 times... After seeing it, I spent the balance of the evening marveling at her performance. It wasnt until the next day that I started thinking that the revival itself is kinda 'meh'

(Of course, it's totally possible that another show opens in the next 3+ months that make us forget both of these. Well, no, it's not.)"

This is what's interesting to me and another reason I hope Nicole wins it.  It's obvious Audra is an amazing talent with a lot of deserved support behind her.  But most people talk about Gypsy only because of Audra (even the marketing for the show does the same).  When it comes to discussing the show itself, most have been meh about it.  It kind of reminds me of the last Sunset revival with Glenn Close which had all those who were fans of the show, fans of Close ecstatic but come awards time, they didn't get one nomination. 

This time around, everything about Sunset Blvd has been reconceived.  When you have the original Norma Desmond, Patti LuPone raving about it, and raving about Nicole, it feels like this is her time to shine...

[DanS3]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 2:28pm

I was luck enough to see both Gypsy and Sunset Blvd last week and although Nicole's performance is a career-making moment, I felt that Audra McDonald was stunning and, overall, better.  The roles are, obviously, very different but where Nicole does a lot of posing, voguing, and vamping for the cameras, Audra is giving a full performance.  She acts, sings, and kinda dances (lol).  She is able to pull some empathy and devastation out of a character that, when you really think about it, is pretty awful.  I've never seen Gpysy on Broadway before, so I don't have a comparison to make (except for the Better Midler movie) so I didn't go in jaded...and while I agree the sets were "meh", I found the overall show to be very entertaining and moving.  Audra, in my opinion, was brilliant.  This was my first time seeing her on stage, so all of it was new to me.  I thought Nicole's performance of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" was jaw-droppingly good, but, in general, there wasn't a whole lot of acting involved.  Also, I appreciated the minimalist approach, and while it felt updated and modern, having absolutely no set pieces made it often difficult to follow at times.  For example, I had no idea that Joe was literally in Norma's driveway when they met.  I found that out after reading the synopsis of the movie on Wikipedia.  Again, I'd never seen the movie or the musical.  I think Audra gave one of the best performances on Broadway I've ever seen.  Completely irrelevant, but, Nicole Scherzinger is even more stunningly beautiful in person.  Thought I'd just throw that in. Having said all that, Maybe Happy Ending was better than both of them (I saw that as well last week).

Updated On: 1/28/25 at 02:28 PM