Why I believe that Audra McDonald belongs in Lead Actress ina Musical category — Page 4

On behalf of Audra and myself, I thank you for your cordial correction.

McDonald is giving what many believe is the season's most extraordinary performance. And it's safe to say that a majority of people would agree that it is the season's most surprising and ambitious - many would say astonishing - accomplishment: capturing Billie Holliday when many initially scoffed at the idea of her attempting the role (look no further than the first bww threads on the project (see link)).

Perhaps the "they all laughed" factor will work in her favor.

A great many of us who may not have laughed, myself included, remained highly skeptical. To say she "came through" is the understatement of the century!

It wouldn't surprise me at all if she wins a tony for Lady Day and I would have no objections if she did.
"they all laughed"

Updated On: 4/24/14 at 02:36 PM

The decision has been made. Audra's left side will be in the Play category and Audra's right side will be in the Musical category. So if she wants a whole Tony, she has to win in both categories. Otherwise she gets a half Tony.

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Looks like we'll have a final answer tomorrow.


The Tony Awards Administration Committee meets for the final time tomorrow, April 25, to determine the fates of the 2013-14 season's productions!

Updated On: 4/24/14 at 11:08 PM

I'm really confused here. I keep reading and hearing "…the Tony Voters will give it to the one with 5 nominations and no wins," or "so-and-so's runner up status will earn her the win," etc. This isn't a personality contest. They're going to vote for the performance that they believe deserves it; the performance that they were invited too, attended and which moved or convinced them to vote for whichever Actress they choose. I'm highly doubtful that a Tony voter would be sitting over at the Circle in the Square saying to themselves "This was phenomenal, but I'm gonna vote for so-and-so because she's never won." Correct me if I'm wrong… but I don't think that's how it works. They're going to vote for the performance that's most worthy… not the person. Right or wrong?

As for me… had I gone into this with the expectation of a musical I think I would've had different expectations; but I was prepped by hearing mostly that it were a "play with music." My experience with "plays with music" is Peter and the Starcatcher, where the music is very minimal, but this was filled with songs and even has a song list in the Playbill, no? My understanding is that Audra McDonald has been training and preparing for this role under wraps for about two or so years. The role is, especially, vocally impressive and I'm sure a lot of that time was spent on her vocal techniques. Sure, her acting is superb as well, but the performance vocals are the highlights. They were for me, at least. And a Best Actress in a Musical role also counts for the acting, not just the vocals, so she's got it all here. All that being said, my original view of the show as a "play with music" has changed. I'd call it a musical revival. That's just my two cents.

Updated On: 4/24/14 at 11:27 PM

Honestly… how are you so sure? If so, that's pretty disappointing.

Interesting. Only time will tell, I suppose.

That'd be awkward… we didn't have cell phones in 1939.

Kidding, I'd LOVE to see that too.

I've been doing some social media work recently, which has led me to be aware of social media antics everywhere I go. Anyway… while we're on the subject: I was checking out the location check-in tags on Instagram for a few theaters (Winter Garden, Shubert, Sondheim, Circle, specifically) and the amount of photos I found in the location tags that were taken DURING the show and posted were outrageous. Matilda, especially…

My favorites are the ones at BEAUTIFUL who gasp and loudly exclaim "I love this one!" when familiar songs begin.

Yeah, I was at Pippin and these horrible preteens were screwing with their candy wrappers and talking at full volume. I turned around and told them to "shut the f*ck up now" and they were silent the rest of the performance. A lot of people are afraid to speak up, but they shouldn't be. Inconsiderate people need to be called out because they often ruin other people's experience in the theater.

I'm not sure that turning around and telling two preteens to "shut the f*ck up" is the appropriate thing to do, no matter WHAT their behavior… but at least you shut them up.