The TONY Nominations were announced this morning, and, girls, I would not want to go backstage at the Imperial Theatre tonight for anything. Fur and objects are going to fly and be thrown at people, if Michele even shows up. She could pull a Beanie Feldstein. And look where that got Beanie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to take an unorthodox approach and start with the performers who beat her out.
Best Leading Actress In A Musical Sara Chase, "Schmigadoon" Stephanie Hsu, "The Rocky Horror Show" Caissie Levy, "Ragtime" Marla Mindelle, "Titanique Christiani Pitts, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)"
Tough luck, Lea! My money is on Caissie and Marla, with an edge to Caissie for her years of contribution to the Broadway stage.
Meanwhile, what other important categories????????????????
Best New Musical "The Lost Boys" "Schmigadoon" "Titanique" "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York")
"The Lost Boys?" David and I saw it! Oh, really? You have GOT to be kidding! That is all I have to say there! We also saw and loved "Titanique," but Off-Broadway. Can it hold its own at the St. James? Obviously, someone is going to it, and I would vote for it certainly over "The Lost Boys" but watch out for the dark horses--'Two Strangers' and "Schnimgadoon."
Best Play "The Balusters" "Giant" "Liberation" "Little Bear Ridge Road" A family drama and an anti-Semite. In today's climate that could go either way. The last two plays we saw. "Liberation" proves that geriatric nudity, while not pretty is accessible and acceptable. Meaning my idea for a geriatric version of "HAIR," with me singing "Frank Mills," is possible. Hey, I would do the nude scene. But just upstage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Little Bear Ridge Road" demonstrated that Laurie Metacalf should also be nominated in Lead Actress In A Play category, but the script was vintage Fifties, like Robert Anderson or William Inge. And they did it better.
Best Musical Revival "CATS: The Jellicle Ball" "Ragtime" "The Rocky Horror Show" Up till a week or so ago, I would have said "Ragtime" had it in the bag. The score does nothing for me, so I have not seen this version, but that commercial, and the staging which I hear is fabulous, made it the favorite. Until "CATS--The Jellicle Ball" came along. Who would have thought this would have blown me away? A show I vowed never to see again! Only, this time it is SO improved. "Ragtime," look out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Play Revival "Becky Shaw" "Death Of A Salesman" "Every Brilliant Thing" "Fallen Angels" "Oedipus" This is going to be a contest between "Death Of A Salesman" and "Every Brilliant Thing," as well as Nathan Lane and Daniel Radcliffe. My money is on 'Salesman' for best revival, even though I disliked Joe Mantello's staging, But Radcliffe's warmth and athleticism, not to mention that he is just plain cute, may net him an actor TONY. Wouldn't that be something? As for "Becky Shaw," that is 2.5 hours of my life I will never get back. And isn't Noel Coward a little passé for our day and age? And then I am told to shut up when I suggest real gems like Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour," or Carson McCullers' "The Member Of The Wedding." should be revived. "Oedipus" does have a timelessness, but I think 'Salesman' has it locked.
Best Leading Actor In A Musical Nicholas Christopher, "CHESS" Luke Evans, "The Rocky Horror Show" Joshua Henry, "Ragtime" Sam Tutty, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across News York)" Brandon Uranowitz, "Ragtime" Two actors from "Ragtime?" Joshua is the better bet, as he has been up before, and while I am sure Brandon Uranowitz does a great job as Tateh in "Ragtime," the show bears too close a resemblance to 1986's "RAGS," a show with a better score which no one pays attention to and badly needs a redo like 'Merrily!' Hey, Maria, can lightning strike twice? Keep an eye on all the 'Two Strangers' nominations; there could be a big surprise in the offing. Luke Evans--for this show? It is just not your time, darling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Leading Actor In A Play Will Harrison," Punch" Nathan Lane, "Death Of A Salesman " John Lithgow, "Giant " Daniel Radcliffe, "Every Brilliant Thing" Mark Strong, "Oedipus" This is a heavyweight category, girls, but I feel it is going to be a slug out between Nathan Lane and Daniel Radcliffe. Both are engaging, compelling performances, and how do you choose between the two? Nathan already has three TONYS, but this could put him on the road to record breaking. It is a battle between Lane and Radcliffe, and I would be happy if either won the award. Harrison and Strong, forget it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Leading Actress In A Play Rose Byrne, "Falling Angels" Carrie Coon, "BUG" Susannah Flood, "Liberation" Lesley Manville, "Oedipus" Kelli O' Hara, "Falling Angels" This is not a very interesting category. Is anyone really interested in "Fallen Angels?" If it was Tennessee Williams, yes, but Noel Coward? Though Kelli is loved by the Theater Community, so watch out for her. My guess it will be a toss up between Carrie Coon and Lesley Manville.
Best Direction Of A Musical Michael Arden, "The Lost Boys" Lear deBessonet, "Ragtime" Christopher Gattelli, "Schmigadoon" Tim Jackson, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)"
Interesting that only "Titanique" was shut out of this category, as with that exception all the directors' shows are Best New Musical nominees. The winner here is anyone's guess. The only thing I have seen is "The Lost Boys," so forget Michael Arden. I have high hopes for "Schmigadoon," but keep your eyes peeled on 'Two Strangers' which I see as the TONYS' dark horse.
Best Direction Of A Play Nicholas Hytner, "Giant" Robert Icke, "Oedipus" Kenny Leon, "The Balusters" Joe Mantello, "Death Of A Salesman" Whitney White, "Liberation" Despite my not liking his concept, I think Joe Mantello will win, for the season's most prestigious revival. I had no idea Nicholas Hytner was still around, and the others just aren't at their time yet. But watch out for Robert Icke and "Oedipus." They could surprise everyone.
Best Featured Actor In A Play Christopher Abbott, "Death Of A Salesman" Danny Burstein, "Marjorie Prime" Brandon J. Dirden, "Waiting For Godot" Alen Ehrenreich, "Becky Shaw" Ruben Santiago-Hudson, "Joe Turner's Come And Gone" Richard Thomas, "The Balusters"
I would love to see Richard Thomas win, but with the 'Salesman' juggernaut, I think Christopher Abbott is going to win. It is high time Danny Burstein got a TONY Award; I mean, after his Herbie in "GYPSY," come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watch out for the actors in "Becky Shaw" and 'Joe Turner's'.....they could be the real surprises!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Featured Actress In A Play Betsy Aidem, "Liberation" Marylouise Burke, "The Balusters" Aya Cash, "Giant" Laurie Metcalf, "Death Of A Salesman" June Squibb, "Marjorie Prime" Both "Marjorie Prime" and "Death Of A Salesman" are uncomfortable to sit through for their own reasons. The TONY Committee made a mistake nominating Laurie Metcalfe in the Featured category. She should have been nominated in the Lead category; after all, she is the engine that runs this show, and that would allow for June to possibly win. This is the most egregious mistake since the Oscars pitted Bette Davis against Anne Baxter in "All About Eve." It was what Anne wanted, but look how it cost them both. This will be a slugfest between Linda and June. I cheer for Linda, but don't be surprised if June nails it. At 96, how many more chances does she have????????????
Best Featured Actor In A Musical Ali Louis Bourzgui, "The Lost Boys" Andre De Shields, "CATS: The Jellicle Ball" Bryce Pinkham, "CHESS" Ben Levi Ross, "Ragtime" Layton Williams, "Titanique" I have heard Ben Levi Ross' performance called "chilling," but I would like to see how he makes it so. I know the Doctorow book, which is similar to the musical, so I know what character he plays, and is it strong enough to win a TONY Award? Maybe if Andre De Shields was not nominated, but he was, and I cannot think if one more deserving. The man is a marvel, doing this at 80, when actors in their twenties complain of hangnails and call in for the understudy. Give me a break. Kids, you do eight shows a week! You hear me? Eight shows! Just ask Patti LuPone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bryce was great in "CHESS," but I think Andre has the thing sewed up. He is the essence of the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Featured Actress In A Musical Shoshanna Bean, "The Lost Boys" Hannah Cruz, CHESS Rachel Dratch, "The Rocky Horror Show" Ana Gasteyer, "Schmigadoon" Nichelle Lewis, "Ragtime" Girls, just imagine, two SNL alums in one category!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Shoshanna Bean; she is so talented, but when will she stop playing put upon mothers.? How soon till she plays Fantine???????? This category could be anyone's guess, and I cannot, so I will venture to say that whoever wins, it was the show they were in that did it for them. Only time will tell.
Well, darlings, that is it--the major TONY nominees. The program will be on Sunday June 7 at 8PM on CBS. What the hell do I wear? Let me hear your favorites, or if you feel someone was snubbed. And Lea lovers--bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile, girls, I have to run to another event!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My life is really like "The Devil Wears Prada 2."









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