Way too early 2016 Tony predictions — Page 15

She may not even be nominated.

BroadwayNYC25 said: "I'm really worried that Jessie Mueller might steal the tony from cynthia! Someone please give me reasons why this won't happen.



"

She won two years ago, so they might want to award someone else. I love Jessie though, and would be happy to see her win again.

^Whether that happens or not, at least there won't be any #TonysSoWhite controversy with the nominations this year.

Yes, but you must understand, compared to this season, next year there will be controversy. For whatever reason, people think Broadway is so much more progressive than Hollywood, but the truth is, we just got VERY lucky this year. Lin-Manuel said it himself, Broadway is just as white as Hollywood. But on the subject, Lupita Nyong'o could very well win, too! So to have five people of color win out of eight acting awards would be a blessing.

CindersGolightly said: "Yes, but you must understand, compared to this season, next year there will be controversy. For whatever reason, people think Broadway is so much more progressive than Hollywood, but the truth is, we just got VERY lucky this year. Lin-Manuel said it himself, Broadway is just as white as Hollywood. But on the subject, Lupita Nyong'o could very well win, too! So to have five people of color win out of eight acting awards would be a blessing."

Of course, I think we all understand that. But if casting directors can see the success of these diverse shows, see how 3-5 actors of color can win Tonys in one year and how it would be celebrated, they may be more willing to cast diverse in the future and that goes for film and television as well.

It isn't narrowing all the time. By that logic, the Oscar controversy this year wouldn't have happened. SLUMDOG came out in 2008.

We'll see how the race progresses but usually when there's a tight race like the one for lead actress, I think the Tonys favor the performer who hasn't previously won. If Erivo weren't giving such a genius performance, I'd say Mueller and Benanti would have more of a chance. But I have a hard time seeing anyone beating Erivo at this point.

We'll see how the race progresses but usually when there's a tight race like the one for lead actress, I think the Tonys favor the performer who hasn't previously won.

Which is one reason why Danny Burstein could win Lead Actor in a Musical.

Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery is far better than "mediocre," but she is also far from "beyond magnificent." Cynthia Erivo, for example, is giving a "beyond magnificent" performance—and they're in the very same show. People on here need to get a grip. Hudson will likely get a nod, yes, but she will not win the Tony.

Updated On: 4/18/16 at 12:22 AM

If we're talking double nominations for Color Purple, I'd personally nominate Danielle Brooks and Joaquina Kalukango. Hudson's vocals are stunning, but she wasn't the highlight of that show for me, and it's a competitive category this year. Never mind that she'll have left the show a month before the Tonys. (And thanks for the reminder about that end staging. I was sitting in the second row, so I think I must remember hearing some voices over others!)

neonlightsxo said: "Joaquina's part is too small to be nominated."



Let's not do that. There are smaller parts which have been nominated before. Joaquina had a 7 min song at the top of the Act 2 just to herself, and several she shares with Erivo /Johnson in Act 1 before she runs away. I think all acts are equally divided on how much time each 3 supporting actresses get. Shug seems to get a little more attention, but it's not true. Act 1 is Nettie -> Sophia -> Shug, Act 2 is Nettie -> Shug -> Sophia.

Updated On: 4/18/16 at 09:37 AM

There was nothing mediocre about Jennifer Hudson's performance as Shug Avery. I had a lot of trepidations about seeing her in this and I'm not a fan of her performance in DREAMGIRLS outside of the musical numbers, which I think gets worse the more times I see the movie. Hudson is not a natural actress the way say Erivo or Brooks are, but John Doyle clearly understood this and led Hudson to give a performance built around her strengths. She becomes Shug Avery, simple as that, to the point that it becomes hard to separate her from the role. When she is performing, she is all sex, power, and energy; when she is with Celie, she is vulnerable, still trying to put on the Shug "persona" but a bit more tentative. This allows us to see the transformative effect that Celie has on Shug, and it ultimately leads to a beautiful chemistry between Erivo and Hudson. The two are completely believable as women who have been broken by the world and whose intimacy becomes liberating for both of them. Hudson also acts through song beautifully here, choosing to use her instrument to serve the character rather than to show off her vocals. It's an excellent performance that will surely get her a Tony nomination. And if Goldsberry and Krakowski weren't in the running, I'd have a hard time not voting for her.

In an ideal world, all three featured women from THE COLOR PURPLE would get in along with Jane Krakowski and Renee Elise Goldsberry. But I do think Joaquina Kalukago will have a hard time getting in based on the size of her role, she absolutely deserves to be recognized though. Erivo's journey as Celie would not have the same impact if Kalukango didn't do such a magnificent job at portraying why Nettie is so special both to Celie and the audience. Her reading of the line "I am not dead" still sends chills down my spine.

Helene Yorke or Jennifer Simard would be my guess, based on what I've heard. Haven't seen Waitress or Psycho yet.



"There was nothing mediocre about Jennifer Hudson's performance as Shug Avery. I had a lot of trepidations about seeing her in this and I'm not a fan of her performance in DREAMGIRLS outside of the musical numbers, which I think gets worse the more times I see the movie. Hudson is not a natural actress the way say Erivo or Brooks are, but John Doyle clearly understood this and led Hudson to give a performance built around her strengths. She becomes Shug Avery, simple as that, to the point that it becomes hard to separate her from the role. "

Hear, hear.

BroadwayConcierge said: "If we think Featured Actress in a Musical will include Goldsberry, Krakowski, Brooks, and Hudson, who could/should grab the fifth nomination slot?"

As of now, I think the ones who could grab the fifth slot are...
Jessica Hecht-Fiddler on the Roof: She could be riding on the wave of support for the production.

Lesli Margherita-Dames at Sea: While it may be a bit of a longshot since the show closed back in January, people still felt that Margherita was a standout.

Jennifer Simard-Disaster!: While the show itself hasn't been very well received, people still felt that Simard was the standout.

Updated On: 4/18/16 at 10:58 AM