Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#25
Posted: 5/14/26 at 3:40pm
Similar to SpongeBob, I could see Tony voters hesitating to give away too many trophies that say "Titanique" on them.
Ethan Slater was absolutely phenomenal that year.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#26
Posted: 5/14/26 at 3:58pm
Levy would have my vote with the caveat that I haven't yet seen Chase in Schmigadoon. I do love Marla Mindelle, and I think she's a hoot in Titanique. I would be delighted for her if she won. But Levy digs deep as Mother and turns in a performance that I found gorgeous.
I had the opportunity to see Marin Mazzie perform the role twice, and she was incredible. She may still be my favorite Mother, but that doesn't diminish what Caissie Levy is doing with the part. And looking just at the nominees, not factoring in other roles or career status...she's the best of the four I've seen.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#27
Posted: 5/14/26 at 5:02pm
I think Levy will win, but the way people talk about her performance makes me feel like I saw a totally different show. If I had a vote, it would go to Pitts, who brings real depth to her role and sings beautifully. I'd be happy to see Mindelle win too. Hsu is fabulous, but Janet is a supporting role; I really don't understand how she (or Andrew Durand) ended up considered as leads. I didn't love Chase, but I get why a lot of people would be rooting for her.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#28
Posted: 5/14/26 at 6:03pm
It's wild how the entire conversation was Levy vs. Michele all season and one of them isn't even in the category. So I guess it's Levy.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#29
Posted: 5/14/26 at 7:58pm
I think it’s a Ragtime sweep for every acting category (even thou I’m rooting for Andre)
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#30
Posted: 5/14/26 at 9:00pm
WldKingdomHM said: "I think it’s a Ragtime sweep for every acting category (even thou I’m rooting for Andre)"
If Ragtime's coattails are strong enough to get it a win in Featured Actress for a performance that received...very mixed reactions, over at least 2 performances that were significantly stronger, that would be very disappointing.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#31
Posted: 5/14/26 at 9:03pm
Nichelle is NOT winning that award.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#32
Posted: 5/15/26 at 1:09am
My vote is for Pitts.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/21
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#33
Posted: 5/15/26 at 1:26am
This is Ragtime's year.
Marla isn't in the best of voice during this run of the show and, frankly, I'd rather have seen them cast other, better sung Celines for the Broadway debut.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#34
Posted: 5/15/26 at 7:02am
Marla Mindelle is my prediction
Stand-by Joined: 9/14/17
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#35
Posted: 5/15/26 at 7:05am
I love Caissie Levy and I’ll absolutely be rooting for her, even though I have to admit this wasn’t my favorite performance of hers. I haven’t spent much time in the Ragtime threads, so it’s kind of relieving to hear I’m not the only one who wasn’t totally blown away by her Mother. For me, her arc didn’t feel as defined as it has in other productions I’ve seen. Slightly off-topic, but since someone brought him up, Andre DeShields is one of my favorite performers. He was amazing in Hadestown, and I loved him in Tartuffe too. But comparing his work in Jellicle Ball to Ben Levi Ross in Ragtime? To me, DeShields winning over Ross would feel absolutely crazy, though knowing the Tonys, I realize it’s not at all impossible.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/6/16
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#36
Posted: 5/15/26 at 8:39am
I havent seen ragtime yet, I love Josh and he 100 % has earned it and waited for it, but I will eat my hat if this flawed show sweeps the acting awards like its the throwaway covid year
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#37
Posted: 5/15/26 at 8:56am
You haven't seen it, but are certain it's flawed?
In my eyes it is a perfect production of a perfect musical and I would give it 3 of the 4 acting awards. I'd give Featured Actress to Ana Gasteyer.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#38
Posted: 5/15/26 at 8:59am
I feel like I’m part of a very small minority who didn’t think RAGTIME was all that. It was nicely sung (and I’ll be happy if the Tony goes to Henry or Nicholas Christopher), but the rest left me feeling indifferent, including Levy. Even months later, I couldn’t tell you a damn thing in Levy’s performance than stuck with me.
Mindelle could take it, but I found her Celine a bit more uneven this time. I think she could win book with Constantine and then they could both “technically” bill themselves as Tony winners.
Honestly, the only two performances in this category that stood out to me were Pitts and Hsu. One thoroughly lived-in and definitely a strong role considering she is only one of two roles in the show. The other is a much lauded return to the stage where she manages to stand out in a mixed ensemble of magnificent or uneven performances.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#39
Posted: 5/15/26 at 10:03am
ElephantLoveMedley said: "I'd rather have seen them cast other, better sung Celines for the Broadway debut."
What? lol
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#40
Posted: 5/15/26 at 11:06am
OhHiii said: "ElephantLoveMedley said: "I'd rather have seen them cast other, better sung Celines for the Broadway debut."
What? lol"
I personally find Marla’s voice pretty unpleasant to listen to. Shrill and nasally, and (I know it’s not really the point but) sounds nothing like Celine’s singing voice. I saw Jackie Burns off-Broadway and she sounded absolutely stellar on those songs, and was funny as hell.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#41
Posted: 5/15/26 at 11:14am
rg7759 said: "I havent seen ragtime yet, I love Josh and he 100 % has earned it and waited for it, but I will eat my hat if this flawed show sweeps the acting awards like its the throwaway covid year"
Ahh---another "genius" who has not seen a show but is certain that it is flawed!
Would you like some ketchup to go with that hat when you're eating it??
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#42
Posted: 5/15/26 at 11:40am
I actually think Ragtime can win for Nichelle but not Ben, feels so much Like DeShields’ to lose
Broadway Star Joined: 5/6/16
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#43
Posted: 5/15/26 at 11:46am
JSquared2 said: "rg7759 said: "I havent seen ragtime yet, I love Josh and he 100 % has earned it and waited for it, but I will eat my hat if this flawed show sweeps the acting awards like its the throwaway covid year"
Ahh---another "genius" who has not seen a show but is certain that it is flawed!
Would you like some ketchup to go with that hat when you're eating it??
"
Yes because you're delusional if you think it will happen
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#44
Posted: 5/15/26 at 11:47am
ElephantLoveMedley said: "This is Ragtime's year.
Marla isn't in the best of voice during this run of the show and, frankly, I'd rather have seen them cast other, better sung Celines for the Broadway debut."
That’s funny. I do hear that Marla’s voice hasn’t been at its best, but I’d rather see a Celine who soars at the comedy and runs the show like a ringleader and she does it for me. Her comedy is so on point for me.
Also she wrote the show, she’s earned the right to originate it on Broadway, lol.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#45
Posted: 5/15/26 at 12:53pm
quizking101 said: "Even months later, I couldn’t tell you a damn thing in Levy’s performance than stuck with me."
Same. While I was more impressed by several of the other performances than you were, I got nothing from Levy until she got to deliver vocal pyrotechnics in her big number, and by then it was too little too late. Otherwise, it felt like Joshua Henry owning the stage, Brandon Uranowitz doing impressive work, several other actors (some with smaller or multiple parts) making an impact...and then every once in a while, "Oh right. She's there too." She felt like such a nonentity for most of the show.
Understudy Joined: 10/16/13
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#46
Posted: 5/15/26 at 12:59pm
kidmanboy said: "You haven't seen it, but are certain it's flawed?
In my eyes it is a perfect production of a perfect musical and I would give it 3 of the 4 acting awards. I'd give Featured Actress to Ana Gasteyer."![]()
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#47
Posted: 5/15/26 at 1:01pm
MemorableUserName said: "quizking101 said: "Even months later, I couldn’t tell you a damn thing in Levy’s performance than stuck with me."
Same. While I was more impressed by several of the other performances than you were, I got nothing from Levy until she got to deliver vocal pyrotechnics in her big number, and by then it was too little too late. Otherwise, it felt likeJoshua Henry owning the stage, Brandon Uranowitz doing impressive work, several otheractors (some with smaller or multiple parts) making an impact...and then every once in a while, "Oh right. She's there too." She feltlike such a nonentity for most of the show."
I’m totally with you on that one. Levy has a great voice, but I’ve never really thought of her as having strong stage presence or that “it” factor—like Kelli O’Hara or Sutton Foster. For me, Mindelle shines the most this season.
Stand-by Joined: 9/14/17
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#48
Posted: 5/15/26 at 1:44pm
MadsonMelo said: "I actually think Ragtime can win for Nichelle but not Ben, feels so much Like DeShields’ to lose"
It feels off to be so perplexed by this as a huge fan of his, but for those of you who feel like this is the case, is it because you think the performance warrants it or because of his command of presence and legacy? Don't get me wrong, I loved him in Jellicle Ball... I just have trouble wrapping my head around this being a Tony winning performance considering the volume and scope of the other (imo equally) excellent performances. If the opinion is that his performance succeeds via restraint - like "less is more" by virtue of his movements and expressions, I suppose I can understand that? Not trying to challenge here, I'm just genuinely curious - especially since many people appear to think this is in the bag and locked.
Who's taking Leading Actress in a Musical this year?#49
Posted: 5/15/26 at 2:05pm
I've seen so many people say they think Andre is locked to win but I've seen no one say they personally think he should win. Mark me down as someone who will be baffled if he wins for this performance.
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