Tony Musings - Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

IT’S TONY TIME!

The Tony Award nominations were announced earlier this month.  Some interesting selections and snubs.  I think this is one of the most competitive seasons in a long time.

I continue with my pithy views on the musical nominations.  Let’s see if you agree or not.  Send me your thoughts.  I always love to hear from you.  

The schedule will be:

May 18 - Best Direction of a Musical & Best Choreography

May 24 - Best Book of a Musical & Best Original Score

June 1 - Best Performance by an Actor/Actress  in a Featured Role in a Musical

June 5 - Best Performance by an Actor/Actress  in a Leading Role in a Musical

June 9 - Best Revival of a Musical & Best Musical

 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Kevin Cahoon, Shucked

Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo

Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like It Hot

Jordan Donica, Lerner & Loewe's Camelot

Alex Newell, Shucked

As the character of Peanut (Kevin Cahoon) from Shucked might say, “Goodness, goodness.”  I think this is the most competitive category from all the nominations.  So many other excellent performances left off the list - Gavin Creel and Joshua Henry from Into the Woods and Paul Alexander Noland and Jay Armstrong Johnson from Parade.  While I don’t think anyone would have an issue with any of the five nominees winning, the Tony should go to Alex Newell for their hilarious portrayal of cousin Lulu from the musical Shucked.  How many performers can say they incite a standing ovation - during the middle of a show!  Their big number, “Independently Owned,” generates that type of reaction from the audience.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Julia Lester, Into the Woods

Ruthie Ann Miles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Bonnie Milligan, Kimberly Akimbo

NaTasha Yvette Williams, Some Like It Hot

Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet

Another solid group of actresses.  NaTasha Yvette Williams and Betsy Wolfe are very good.  Ruthie Ann Miles is solid.  But it is Bonnie Milligan and Julia Lester that had audiences talking as they exited the theater.  I’m going with Julia Lester with her snarky, calculating portrayal of Little Red Riding Hood from the all-star production of Stephen Sondheim’s revival of Into the Woods.  I think there was more nuance to her performance and she made the most of her time on stage.