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

Christian Borle, Some Like It Hot

J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot

Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Brian d'Arcy James, Into the Woods

Ben Platt, Parade

Colton Ryan, New York, New York

There were so many great performances this season that the Tony Awards Committee saw fit to nominate six individuals, even though I would have left Colton Ryan off the list.  I don’t think he reached the heights of the other five.  So, here we go:

Christian Borle - another solid performance by this two-time Tony winner, but solid isn’t good enough this year.

Ben Platt - a fine performance by the actor.  More subdued than the other nominees.  His quiet strength and outrage in this role doesn’t have the wattage to prevail.

Josh Groban - great singer, but acting not up with the other gentlemen in this category.

Brian d'Arcy - he has now been nominated four times for roles in Broadway musicals.  Sadly, even though he was terrific in the show, this will not be his year.

J. Harrison Ghee - I think the overwhelming favorite and my choice for Best Actor in a Musical.  Not only are they an excellent singer and dancer, but they also bring a greater depth to a role, which could have easily been just played for laughs.

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

Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods

Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo

Lorna Courtney, & Juliet

Micaela Diamond, Parade

Once again, five very deserving nominees:

Lorna Courtney - she displays an exuberance in her role, but this is more of in-your-face performance.  I loved it, but her performance is not of the caliber of the other four.

Sara Bareilles - Ms. Bareilles has pivoted to become a fine stage actress.  However, there wasn’t as much weightiness or nuance to her performance, as good as it was.

Micaela Diamond - the real heart and soul of this revival.  In another year, she would be the favorite, but she is up against some exemplary performers.

Annaleigh Ashford - Ms. Ashford is one of my favorite comedic actresses.  In Sweeney Todd, she brings more physicality to the role of Mrs. Lovett.  She is funny and even a bit sexy.  In any other year, she would be a shoo-in for the Tony except…

Victoria Clark - put on an acting Master Class in Kimberly Akimbo.  When I saw the Off-Broadway production of the show, I thought if the show moved to Broadway she would be the person to beat.  Within the first 15 minutes of the musical you truly believe she is embodying a teenage girl afflicted by a rare disease that causes premature aging.  It is a bravo performance and my choice for Best Actress in a Musical.