#1
Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:05am
I've never seen "The King and I." Is the King considered a featured part?
Tony question-Yul Brynner- Best FEATURED actor?
#2
Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:10am
No, but that was before he was a huge star, and his name was not billed above the title.
Back then, if you're name was not above the title, you were not eligible for the leading category.
That is why Barbara Cook won a Featured actress for the very leading Marian Paroo in THE MUSIC MAN as well.
That's also why now, the same general rules apply - but producers and performers can petition certain performers to be in the leading category.
Back then, if you're name was not above the title, you were not eligible for the leading category.
That is why Barbara Cook won a Featured actress for the very leading Marian Paroo in THE MUSIC MAN as well.
That's also why now, the same general rules apply - but producers and performers can petition certain performers to be in the leading category.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#3
Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:14am
You also have to keep in mind, when the show opened, the show was ALL about Gertrude Lawrence. No one knew Brynner would become so identified with the show.
Lawrence had a lot to do with creating this show, considering the show was HER idea. So it was basically HER show.
Who knew Brynner would become such an icon with this show.
Lawrence had a lot to do with creating this show, considering the show was HER idea. So it was basically HER show.
Who knew Brynner would become such an icon with this show.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 11:14 AM
#4
Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:16am
Tony categories at the time were determined solely by billing and not by the size of the role. Brynner was billed below the title (he wasn't famous then) so hence he was only eligible to be nominated for Featured Actor and not Lead. The same thing happened to Tammy Grimes (who won for playing Molly Brown in the UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN) and Tom Bosley in FIORELLO! (for playing the lead role of Fiorello LaGuardia), among others. William Daniels famously refused his nomination for playing John Adams in 1776 when he was made Featured and not Lead.
The rules now give the producers the right to petition the Administration Committee to have certain actors considered for categories different than from what their billing would indicate.
The rules now give the producers the right to petition the Administration Committee to have certain actors considered for categories different than from what their billing would indicate.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
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"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#5
Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:41pm
Dick Van Dyke also won Featured Actor for Bye, Bye Birdie. Obviously, his role was the lead.
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