Who do you think will win Best Actor and Best Featured Actor in a Musical?- Page 2

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:33pm

I completely agree about the Billy thing. Having them all in one category is awarding them because of their role and age. I think if any other person who was older danced what they danced the voters wouldn't give them the award. The Billys are not actors and are not triple threats, they are maybe a double threat, there acting is mediocre.

I hope Will Swenson takes it, he is wonderful in the role and carries the show very well and will represent the phenomenal cast. Since Creel probably won't get it then they should reward at least one of the actors.

Although I would not be surprised/extremely upset if Seiber takes it. If Greg Jbara takes it in a Billy sweep I won't be happy, he is good but nothing special that should be awarded. If there is a Billy sweep I would rather see David B. (Can't spell his last name) get it.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:41pm

So, so far the popular opinion is that the Billy's are the favorite for leading Actor (with Gavin Creel being more deserving, but probably not going to win).

And that Will Swenson and Christopher Seiber are almost neck and neck, will Seiber being in the lead.

And that Will Swenson is probably more deserving, but Seiber is not "undeserving" and more deserving than the Billy's.

It seems like it might be very similar to the 2005 Featured actress in a Musical, which was Sara Ramirez as "The Lady of the Lake" in "Spamalot" vs. Kelli O'hara as "Clara" in "The Light in the Piazza".
One played a campy "cartoon-type" figure who was very funny and one played a real, fully-fleshed human being who was extremely moving in her role.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:42pm

I am hoping the BE boys win. I think they deserve it. Why is it that once a show gets popular, everyone on this board hates it.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:44pm

The Billys & Chris Seiber.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:50pm

"I am hoping the BE boys win. I think they deserve it. Why is it that once a show gets popular, everyone on this board hates it."

What shows have people begin to hate?


And the reason people (including myself) don't think the Billys should win is because they aren't actors and only one of the three boys will be seen so they are being mainly judge for their role not their performance.

Where Gavin Creel is a beautifully fantastic singer who is incredible touching in Hair and is giving the best performance by a Leading Actor this year.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:52pm

Then there are the voters who won't any of the 3 Billys.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:54pm

I honestly think that most voters would go to see Billy Elliot, at least two other times.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:55pm

"Then there are the voters who won't any of the 3 Billys."

What?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:55pm

They're going to PAY $126.50 each to see it two more times when they were comped to see it the first time?

I doubt that.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:56pm

Drunk Chita Rivera, he means there are going to be the voters who see the newly added fourth Billy who isn't even nominated.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:57pm

Whoops, meant to put "won't see any" because they have that 4th Billy now.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:58pm

I just assumed that Tony Award voters got free tickets.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:59pm

The Tony voters are each being comped to see the show ONE time.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 3:59pm

Well, the 4th Billy, Tommy Batchelor, has suddenly become "injured" and is out for "several weeks."

Highly suspect.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:00pm

Suspicious.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:01pm

If I were a producer, I would give them extra tickets to see Billy Elliot so as to not have that problem.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:04pm

If I were a producer, I would give them extra tickets to see Billy Elliot so as to not have that problem.

Two problems with that..

1) The schedule for Billys is not set in advance anywhere, so there is no guarantee you'd get a certain Billy

2) Those are two tickets PER VOTER that the producers could otherwise sell at $126 a seat. You know how much revenue they would lose doing that?
Updated On: 5/10/09 at 04:04 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:27pm

But if I thought that I needed the Tony Award and that it would make me money, then I would see it as spending money to make money.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:29pm

I don't see anyone "hating" BE here either. I think the true star of BE is the choreography. THAT's where the beauty truly lies.

The individual performances are not stand outs to me as being "spectacular", above and beyond, the best thing out there. I loved BE, am going to see it a second time. But the whole thing is manipulative and I liken it to a chick-flick. (I loved When Harry met Sally, too but it didn't deserve an Academy Award.)

I have never changed my stand on this: I always wanted them considered for a special Tony: if at all. I hate the idea of them being judged by a different set of standards: oh their voices are changing, they are so young. Sure they are: but they are in a grown up business. This ain't Nickelodean.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:33pm

This whole "great for their age" argument about the Billys actually makes sense to me, especially after Miley Cyrus' Emmy win over Tina Fey.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:38pm

dramamama i couldnt agree with you more! And i am definitly among the rest who feel Creel should get the award. I could see sieber getting the award however I really feel like to not award Swenson for his work would be absurd. I'm not bashing siber but I feel like his performance this year is not his best work. Is he the best thing about shrek? quite possibly. But i don't feel it is his best work whereas this is a true breakout for Swenson and is just absolute perfection in the role.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 4:41pm

Miley Cyrus won an emmy?!?

Here's a question! And I have seen neither show, but:

Do you think that Brian d'Arcy James would have the better chance as Shrek, for which he is nominated...or the role he did in 'Next to Normal'...which is on Broadway this season and nominated for a Tony by J. Robert Spencer?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 5:02pm

Honestly: I think a much better chance. He was amazing in the role. And I like Spencer quite a bit, I just found that BDJ brought more depth.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 5:06pm

So you are saying that "Dan" in normal is a much better role than Shrek?

I wonder what he would have done if he knew for sure that "Next to Normal" was coming to Broadway?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 5:35pm

He would do SHREK, he has a family to feed.

I see no sense in saying that awarding Swenson would honor the whole cast. if he wins, He wins.