What was the most shocking Tony Win/loss ever? — Page 6

Matt, I couldn't disagree more about York or Choi, but that's what makes the world go 'round. I thought only Andrews and Jbara were worthwhile in V/V. I hated that fondant version of a fave film. I especially disliked York and Roberts.

God, enuf with the pink!

And I dislike "career" awards, and didnt mean to infer that that is the main reason why everyone might've voted for or were expecting Andrews to win. Everyone I knew at the time was sure Andrews would keep the award even after her sourpuss speech. the Tony audience seemed surprised.

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While I didn't see Minnelli in VICTOR/VICTORIA, the clip of her performing "Le Jazz Hot" on that site is pretty electric. Minnelli's manic performance style is certainly a divisive one, and I would imagine that she had a very different take on the role than Andrews, both performances which I sorely regret not seeing. I know people who did though, and just as many people say she was a horrendous mess as those who say she was fantastically entertaining.

"Andrews might have been tossed a bone as a "career achievement" award of sorts (though she was only ever in 4 Broadway shows and the first 3 were within 6 years)"

But they were all leading roles, most earned Tony nominations, and one of them was as the original freaking Eliza Dolittle. Not to mention she started on Broadway - she literally was plucked out of some pantomime in London and carried off to do The Boyfriend without an audition, like June in "Dainty June and her Farmboys."

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I thought the most shocking Tony loss was in West Side Story. When Tony lay there cradled in Maria's arms, I thought "Darn, didn't they learn anything from Romeo & Juliet?"

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Someone brought up CZJ winning in ALNM. One of my co-workers says the only real contenders that year were her and Montego Glover. I didn't see CZJ (I saw Bernadette instead), but I did see Montego. She sang well but not the strongest actress. With that information, it wasn't a suprise.

What was surprising was Denzel not giving a $%^& about winning a Tony. I remember him making a remark like where are we again, what award is this. I felt he disrespected everyone in the bway community.

Updated On: 3/19/13 at 12:57 PM

Everyday Rapture was fantastic and she deserved a Tony for that but there was little buzz or fanfare. And one could argue that since it was semi-autobiographical, she was playing herself.

I was in the theatre when all of these were announced. The audience reaction was palpable in all three cases.

1. The aforementioned Michael Moriarty over Jason Robards; 1973; possibly the biggest upset I remember.

2. George Rose for My Fair Lady (playing Doolittle, definitely a featured role but billed over the title) over either Jerry Orbach in Chicago or Mako in Pacific Overtures; 1976.

3. The two South African actors winning for joint performances in two plays over a tough field including Henry Fonda and Jim Dale; 1975.

And a bonus; In a 1979 tie, Carole Shelley in The Elephant Man (taking a featured role and turning it into a leading one by sheer force of talent) and Constance Cummings in Wings (a tour de force). Who says there is no God?

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I don't see how Once's win was shocking since the competition was weak that year. I don't think anything else in the category deserved to win over it.

"Someone brought up CZJ winning in ALNM. One of my co-workers says the only real contenders that year were her and Montego Glover. I didn't see CZJ (I saw Bernadette instead), but I did see Montego. She sang well but not the strongest actress. With that information, it wasn't a suprise. "

No, I was actually commenting on Ms. Zeta-Jones' reaction to winning the award, which was... weird. And unnatural, and awkward, and embarrassing...

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Ragtime