Tony Nominated Roles with Little or No Dialogue- Page 2

[mikem]

Posted: 1/18/21 at 1:46pm

How about Elizabeth A Davis as Reza in Once?  I didn't see her in the role, but I was shocked when I found out someone got nominated for that role.  I don't know the show that well, but she probably has fewer than 10 lines and I'm not sure she has any solo singing lines at all.

Although no one has been nominated for a Tony for the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Merle Louise in the original cast was nominated for a Drama Desk that year.  A local actress in Philadelphia also got nominated for that part for the local Barrymore Awards in 2005.  In both the Drama Desks and the Philadelphia award, the actress who played Johanna did not get nominated.  I did not see the original Broadway cast, but the Beggar Woman is a tiny part, and Johanna is quite a large one.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/18/21 at 6:55pm

Although it is a tense and important scene with dialogue, it is actually only 8 minutes. I am speaking of Adriane Lenox's scene in "Doubt". It was the first role that came to mind. I remember people talking about how short but powerful her performance was. I saw it, and it was. And she won the Tony for it.

[NameGreg]

Posted: 1/18/21 at 7:18pm

Just because Lenox’s role is small doesn’t mean that it counts, as she’s talking throughout all her stage time.

Also, Helen Keller would be a valid example except while Patty Duke won the Oscar for her work in the film, her work on Broadway was snubbed at the Tonys. In terms of great silent roles, she applies though. Thinking about it now, maybe that’s what this thread should’ve been called, as just going by Tony nominations excludes things a bit.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/18/21 at 9:15pm

Yes, I am aware of that. I mentioned that in my comment. Whether it "counts" or not, it came to mind and I shared my thoughts.