Tony Awards Race - Audra vs. Nicole Edition- Page 4

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/3/25 at 11:15pm

''If ever we needed a tie, it’s now lol''

Ties are rare at the Tonys, but believe it not, it has happened in Best Actress in a Musical. And not just once, but THREE times:

1958: Thelma Ritter, Gwen Verdon (both from ''A New Girl in Town'' )

1962: Anna Maria Alberghetti (''Carnival'' ), Diahann Carroll (''No Strings'' )

1968: ''Patricia Routledge (''Darling of the Day'' ), Leslie Uggams (''Hallelujah, Baby! )

But there's never been a tie in Best Actor in a Musical.

 

 

 

[Kad]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 9:30am

theblackumbrella said: "I also think Audra winning would be a way to acknowledge Gavin Creel. Audra has spoken on Colbert and CBS - and I’m pretty sure every outlet that has covered this revival that at their shared thanksgivings years ago, Gavin told her she needed to play the role. I haven’t seen Audra, but have seen Nicole and found her breathtaking, but awards are mainly about narratives anyways."

I do not find it at all plausible that many voters will vote for Audra in order to honor Gavin Creel. Other than telling her she should play the role- something he was not alone in doing- there is no connection to her performance or the production. Awards are indeed built on narratives but the narratives have to be extremely strong and this one just isn’t. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 10:16am

Objectively, Nicole should win. Not only her performance and voice are phenomenal, unique and frankly groundbreaking, Sunset Blvd. is a much higher quality production overall comparing to the lackluster Gypsy. It was my first exposure to Gypsy so I can't really have an opinion on whether Audra was miscast or not, but I would never recommend this musical to anyone. One song by Audra didn't save it for me. Surprisingly disappointing experience. 

Updated On: 3/4/25 at 10:16 AM

[the_wall_is_paul]

Posted: 3/4/25 at 12:27pm

Thats wild honestly I haven’t seen both it seems like both are fantastic. Gypsy is a much better written but sunset seems like a better production. Not that gypsy is bad it just seems like a very classical production and not breaking to many molds besides the casting. I feel like Nicole will win by a little and then it may be a gateway for more stunt cast like roles to win even though this is very different and inspired

[SkidRow82]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 10:28am

I just wrapped an NYC trip and was lucky enough to see Audra (Friday night) and Nicole (Saturday night).

Both thrilling performances and both certainly Tony worthy. For me though, it’s Audra’s win by a mile.  

Audra brings more range and depth. Her performance is big/theatrical, but it’s also grounded and real. Between her and her director, they crafted an arc that really slowly and subtly went from tough/brassy stage mom…to the audience realizing this is a mental health situation. I was surrounded by people who didn’t already know the plot (including my husband), and there were audible gasps as various realizations were made. That said, obviously Audra is working with a stronger book…

Nicole (on the other hand) ends up being a vocal powerhouse who does some interesting/unexpected things – but there’s not really an arc. It’s more about how captivating she is (and she is!), and I think the vibe of her performance (and the whole production) is more about giving us unexpected moments and emotional reactions....Ultimately though, telling the actual story is not the primary goal.

Both actresses were stellar, and both received mid-show standing ovations – but if I were Audra I’d be clearing another spot on my Tony shelf.   

[rannells_renthead.11]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 1:23pm

I can't properly judge since I haven't seen Gypsy, but I thought Nicole was phenomenal in Sunset and I believe she deserves it. Especially considering this is her Broadway debut and Sunset has been one of the buzziest shows in a while. However, that being said, I'm still afraid that the voters may still hold that whole scandal thing from November against her. Though I don't agree with her beliefs, I also don't agree with discriminating against people because of their beliefs. So let's hope that the voters forget about that whole thing because otherwise, Nicole is the obvious choice. She also has the advantage of the showing having been running longer.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 3/6/25 at 9:41pm

I have seen both- and was blown away by both Audra and Nicole. I love Audra- and have seen most of her Tony award winning performances- and she was phenomenal and sang the heck out of that iconic score- but I would give it to Nicole- she was simply sensational and I think, all in all, deserves a win. If there is a tie- I won't be unhappy.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 6:20pm

Latest Tony Eligibility rulings

The Picture of Dorian Gray is eligible for Best Play 

Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr are all considered Featured for Glengarry Glen Ross

David Cumming and Natasha Hodgson are considered Lead for Operation Mincemeat

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 6:26pm

Wild that Oscar Wilde is elegible as a co-author.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 6:29pm

So that also means the entire casts of English, Purpose, and Buena Vista are all considered featured.  I've been hearing a lot about Natalie Venetia Belcon, do people think she's the frontrunner there? (Depending on how the Pirates rulings go I guess).

Also interesting that Kip Williams is sharing credit with Oscar Wilde for author of Dorian Gray.  I don't remember the specifics but I thought pre-existing material usually wasn't award-eligible (a la TS Eliot and Cats) so does that mean Oscar Wilde could win a posthumous Tony?

[James2]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 6:34pm

chrishuyen said: "So that also means the entire casts of English, Purpose, and Buena Vista are all considered featured. I've been hearing a lot about Natalie Venetia Belcon, do people think she's the frontrunner there? (Depending on how the Pirates rulings go I guess).
 

Purpose placed LaTayna Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, and Jon Michael Hill above the title for opening night.  They are considered in the leading acting categories.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 6:35pm

James2 said: "chrishuyen said: "So that also means the entire casts of English, Purpose, and Buena Vista are all considered featured. I've been hearing a lot about Natalie Venetia Belcon, do people think she's the frontrunner there? (Depending on how the Pirates rulings go I guess).


Purposeplaced LaTayna Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, and Jon Michael Hill above the title for opening night. They are considered in the leading acting categories.

"

Ah, I didn't see that, thanks for the correction!

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 7:11pm

Man. I had hoped they'd put Natasha Hodgson in featured; I think she'd be a strong contender, but in the crowded group of this years' leading actress panel, it's going to be very hard to see her place. Featured actress seems very much up in the air, in general. I have my eye on Belcon, Jinkx Monsoon and Julia Knitel in Dead Outlaw, but have seen one of these shows so that's just me listening to where the buzz is going. Would be unsurprised to see Claire-Marie Hall and Joy Woods get a nom but I don't know they're locks. Anyone else a prominent contender in that race? It won't happen, but Ana Gastayer deserves to be remembered for her work in MATTRESS.

My current predictions: Audra, Nicole, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Megan Hilty, Jen Smiard. If we get a sixth nomination, Helen J. Shen or Bernadette Peters (which would very much be a career nom.)

 

 

[macbeth]

Posted: 4/12/25 at 5:12pm

I've gone back to see both performances, and think I'm team Nicole by a hair. 

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 4/12/25 at 6:19pm

ChairinMain said: "Man. I had hoped they'd put Natasha Hodgson in featured; I think she'd be a strong contender, but in the crowded group of this years' leading actress panel, it's going to be very hard to see her place. Featured actress seems very much up in the air, in general. I have my eye on Belcon, Jinkx Monsoon and Julia Knitel in Dead Outlaw, but have seen one of these shows so that's just me listening to where the buzz is going. Would be unsurprised to see Claire-Marie Hall andJoy Woodsget a nom but I don't know they're locks. Anyone else a prominent contender in that race? It won't happen, but Ana Gastayer deserves to be remembered for her work in MATTRESS.

My current predictions: Audra, Nicole, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Megan Hilty, Jen Smiard. If we get a sixth nomination, Helen J. Shen or Bernadette Peters (which would very much bea career nom.)


I think you all are underestimating Adrienne Warren in Last 5 Years. Megan and Jen will split their own potential. Jasmine, Audra and Nicole are shoe ins. 

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 4/12/25 at 6:31pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: "I think you all are underestimating Adrienne Warren in Last 5 Years.”

 

We’re not. She’s decent in the role but the production is absolutely dreadful. 

 

[binau]

Posted: 4/13/25 at 3:31am

It seems like the buzz is turning back to Nicole, or at least that it seems too close to call right now. And there are at least 2 or 3 performances this year that would genuinely feel tony worthy. When is the last time this happened??? It feels so weird to not be able to predict the outcome!! 

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 4/13/25 at 3:58am

Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look.

[Huss417]

Posted: 4/13/25 at 8:26am

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look."

I'm assuming the "superfluous gesturing" you are referring to more than likely was the directors choice.

I'm not team anyone at this point but as much as I love Audra and have seen every show she has been in on Broadway this performance did nothing for me. The acting top notch. The singing was really bothersome to me.

Updated On: 4/13/25 at 08:26 AM

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 4/13/25 at 10:02am

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look."

Why should Norma sing anything at all? The singing is completely superfluous. She should just stand there and look at the audience for five minutes. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 4/13/25 at 10:27am

Bwaygurl2 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look."

Why should Norma sing anything at all? The singing is completely superfluous. She should just stand there and look at the audience for five minutes."

I assumed she has to hold the "home" for so exceedingly long in order to earn her pay since she does just stand around so much lol.

 

[THDavis]

Posted: 4/13/25 at 10:29am

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look."

I’ve seen Sunset twice with Nicole. She gives a vocally impressive performance but I still can’t figure out what everyone raves about when comparing her to some of the other powerhouse leading actresses this year. Directors choices or not, it very much comes across as a vanity project to showcase Nicole, inclusive of such “edgy” choices as gyrating on the floor, getting sassy during “black and white” and the look during “I’m what they paid to see”. 

I don’t understand how that makes the show about Norma and Joe vs. Nicole and Joe. All other performance were a knockout, and the production is visually beautiful, but it’s still a sub-par show with a few pretty songs, an interesting, but drawn out story, and nice visuals. I perhaps didn’t see the same star performance so many rave about. If there’s any reason I want her to win the Tony, it’s because she is giving it EVERYTHING she has. If this doesn’t get her one, I don’t know what will. But I’m still confused over where the praise for her Norma is rooted. Is it because it’s easier for today’s audiences to relate to the LA Kardashians than a former screen legend? 

Updated On: 4/13/25 at 10:29 AM

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 4/14/25 at 10:02am

Bwaygurl2 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look."

Why should Norma sing anything at all? The singing is completely superfluous. She should just stand there and look at the audience for five minutes."

Well, this was never a problem with Glenn Close. With her one look, she could break my heart. For Nicole, though, she could refrain from her indulgent gesturing and stick closer to the text but either she or Lloyd thought it would be a good idea to treat this moment as America's Got Talent. Since the Tony award is for the best ACTRESS, not vocalist, in a musical, Nicole does very little for me in that department.

[Huss417]

Posted: 4/14/25 at 10:33am

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Bwaygurl2 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "Audra for sure. I still can't figure out why Nicole thought doing the superfluous gesturing in With One Look would be an idea when the choice literally goes against the lyrics. Put your hands down. You should be able to do all of that with one look."

Why should Norma sing anything at all? The singing is completely superfluous. She should just stand there and look at the audience for five minutes."

Well, this was never a problem with Glenn Close. With her one look, she could break my heart. For Nicole, though, she could refrain from her indulgent gesturing and stick closer to the text but either she or Lloyd thought it would be a good idea to treat this moment as America's Got Talent. Since the Tony award is for the best ACTRESS, not vocalist, in a musical, Nicole does very little for me in that department."

I'm confused. Do you want her to stand there and not move any part of her body for the entire song?  I get you seem to not like her but she is still an ACTRESS.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/14/25 at 11:32am

I feel like for better or for worse, people think of Audra's Gypsy as existing in a vacuum. Like they appreciate her performance, but the production is a bit of a turd. 

Nicole is giving an incredible performance, but she's helped out by a better production.