What does this mean for Michael?

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 5:13pm

In thier eligibility decisions, the Tony committee said ONLY Maria would be in a Best Actor/Actress category. Does this mean Michael will not be nominated or all or just put in Supporting Actor (which I don't think Fosco really is. however, the committe also said Chita's show is a new musical, and not a revival, my book says it should be a revival)?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 5:17pm

No. The reason Maria was announced as being eligible for Leading is because she's not above the title, so it's a ruling decision. Normal Tony ruling is if you're above the title you're in the Leading category, and if you're below the title, you're in the Featured category. Michael Ball, along with everyone else in WIW, will be considered in the Featured category.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 5:19pm

Chita's show was not a revival, if not a new show it should have been a special event.

Fosco is certainly a "featured" not a "leading" role, he has very little stage time. Ball will be considered in the Featured actor in a musical categorey.

They only make these anouncements for clarification if something is other than the "normal" process. Generally the "leads" are billed above the title, but Maria was not, so they needed to annouce she was "lead" and not "featured."

The same thing in reverse happened with DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS last year. All 5 "stars" were above the title, so they announced that Johanna Gleason and Greg Jbara would be considered for "featured," they did not have to announce that Norbert and John were "leads."

[jo]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 6:47pm

This is the first time that Michael really gets to play a character role. In fact, he is completely unrecognizable in his FOSCO makeup and fat suit. But it has allowed him to bring out his comedic gift as well as act out the menacing shades of a character who is also central to the story.

I hope the TONY voters recognize this brilliant interpretation and award him the FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL trophy.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 6:49pm

Jo
I have to agree with you there. He is totally unrecognizable until he starts to sing. Even with the thick accent you know it is him. He seems to be having such a good time being the "bad guy".

[jo]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 7:31pm

He sounds completely Italian ( or as how we think it sounds )with his bel canto singing style, Sharon.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 10:09pm

I'm so excited to be seeing Michael perform in March before he leaves! I absolutely adore his voice...and you gotta love those cheeks! LOL! :)

~Rosalynn

[AlmostFamous]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 8:47am

Maria completely deserves a tony! She is AMAZING! I definately think MB is a supporting actor and wish him the best of luck! He truly deserves it as well! I love WIW!

[DreamFlyer22]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 10:34am

Does anybody else think his leaving the show before Tony Awards season may hurt his chances?

[Michelleruth2]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:58pm

I'm wondering if being out of the show for so long (ill) will hurt his chances......

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:10pm

Hey, jo, how you hangin in since Chitty failed to spread her wings and fly her special magic over Broadway for years and years to come?

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:17pm

The "above the title" / "below the title" billing rules don't apply anymore with the Tonys. Not since Donna McKechnie won Leading Actress 30 years ago, and was billed below the title in a "favored nations" (single alphabetical group) billing.

A more recent example would be Audra McDonald for Featured Actress in Ragtime, and she was given star billing above the title. There are other examples, to be sure.

[jo]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 7:42pm

Hey Namo --

Did you even see CHITTY? Or wasn't Raul Esparza enough of a draw for you?

I do like musical theatre a lot - so I am not worried about coming back to see more Broadway or West End shows ( from faraway - I do need a CHITTY to fly me there, except the name of the flying vehicle is Northwest or British Air).

LOL - you do like to follow me around. From Broadway.com ( where you used a different name, sorry I have forgotten what it was) to Broadwayworld.com!

Cheers!

Jo