Regarding Mantello, could he have been double nominated? If so, its a shock he didn't get nominated for Wicked. But if he could only have been nominated for one, I have heard Assassins was better directed.
I have to say, Im glad he wasnt. He was ONE of the most irritating things in that show!
"It never bothered me that she called me a c*nt, it bothered me that I answered to it!" Carol Channing about Ethel Merman filming an episode of "The Love Boat"
First off, Joe Mantello for Wicked was not an omission. There, I said it and I'm glad. Jeff Calhoun for Big River is an ENORMOUS omission, as is Ann Harada for Avenue Q. Similary omitted were Harrison Chad & Veanne Cox for Caroline or Change, and Jeffrey Carlson for Taboo.
The thing to remember about nomination is that sometimes they're not recognizing excellence, they're just filling in a category. The committee is bound to nominate a certain number of shows/people per category. So this year there were three worthy nominees for Best Musical, leaving four shows to battle it out for that fourth slot. Perhaps they all got at least one vote, perhaps not. We'll never know, and it doesn't matter because the prize will go to one of the SURE nominees, not Boy From Oz.
Similarly, there were well more than five strong contenders for the Featured Actor in a Musical category this year. Everyone on the committee must have his or her favorites, and they all vote. The five nominees are the five people who garnered the most votes, even if none of them was a unanimous decision.
Cosmik I so agree about Harrison Chad and Veanne Cox. Both of their performances were so poignant. Veanne Cox was absolutely perfect in the role of the well meaning step mother. Harrison Chad as that vulnerable, loving child really made me feel his pain. I felt everyone's pain in COC.
I totally agree that Doug Sills should have been nominated for Little Shop. He works so hard in that show and does such an amazing job!! And as excited as I am, I was surprised that Hunter garnered a nomination. Don't get me wrong, he's AMAZING but somehow I didn't think he'd get a nod. Also, Ann Harada and Rick Lyon completely and totally deserve to be nominated in the supporting categories. I was also surprised Robert Sean Leonard didn't get a nod for The Violet Hour. The play itself wasn't amazing but I liked his performance a lot and he's a Tony favorite.
You know who I don't actually feel bad for? Anyone in a Broadway show who didn't get a Tony nom this morning. Why? Because, in the end, they are making a pretty darn good living doing the thing they love.
Who do I feel bad for. Those incredibly talented people who can't get cast in this town because of the casting processes in this town.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
Truth be said I really thought that they'd give a nom to Joel Grey because well he's JOEL GREY!. But I am quite sad that they left out Doug Sills, he was so great. le sigh!
"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."
Conan O'Brien
The Tony Awards have been seriously slipping in ratings for years. These awards seem to excite VERY FEW other than those of us who have interests in the NY theatre. If they dont find a way to be more inclusive, they will soon be nothing more than a minor cable broadcast. One suggestion might be to honor shows which have closed in a separate category or at another time. Accoding to the ratings over the last 10 years, most people outside of NY who might turn on this show, only want to see what is currently playing so they can buy tickets should they visit NY or see a touring company. I know the purists here will start yelling that my suggestion ignores achievement or the art of the season's performances BUT that does little or nothing for ticket sales and our jobs. Think before it is gone.
Biggest snub: The kid in BOY FROM OZ! (Mitchel David Federan, I think is his name.)
Veanne Cox, too.
Very surprised about Ned Beatty.
And Douglas Sills. I personally didn't think it was such an extraordinary performance (he was entertaining, but it was hammy and it was his playing multiple roles that was impressive). However, I thought he'd get nominated.
I cant say how happy I am about the news that mantello was not nominated for wicked. for as superb as his direction of assasins was, his wicked effort was equally awful. they made at least one right decision there.
I'm surprised that Hunter Foster did get nominated....and surprised Carole Shelley did not.. Not surprised by Joel Grey- you shouldnt be nominated just out of respect of your Broadway resume.
Liz McCartney was fabulous as Big Sue in "TABOO".....chills listening to her belt out "Talk Amongst Yourselves" ... she did miss a month for Maternity Leave, & as "TABOO" had a short run, I guess it all adds up. She was entertaining as well acting-wise.