The Tony
Awards draw ever nearer, and we have finally worked our way up to the most
prestigious performance categories. The
leading actor and actress races are typically home to the type of tour de force
performances that become Broadway legend, and winning the Tony against such
strong competition is definitive proof that someone has “made it.” So which actresses will join the ranks of
Broadway’s greatest and take home the coveted Best Actress statuettes (and who
actually deserves such recognition)?
Keep reading to find out.
Best Actress in a
Play
 |
| Emmy-winning veteran Cicely Tyson returns to the stage after a three decade absence in Roundabout's acclaimed revival of Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful |
Nominees:
Laurie Metcalf, The Other
Place; Amy Morton, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Kristine Nielsen, Vanya
and Sonia and Masha and Spike; Holland Taylor, Ann; Cicely Tyson, The Trip
to Bountiful
There are
some truly masterful performances nominated in this category, and it’s
difficult to argue against any of these women.
Of the five nominees, I’m sad to say Amy Morton has the smallest chance
of winning. While a fascinating Martha
in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Morton
ended up playing second fiddle to Tracy Letts’ George. Critics are used to seeing that power dynamic
reversed, and underplaying a role has not been the path to Tony glory in the
past. And Holland Taylor’s nomination
has more of an air of respectful acknowledgment than passionate support, which
means that when push comes to shove she will not be the first (or second or
third) actress people vote for.
Kristine
Nielsen is an interesting case, as she has won several awards already for her
work in Vanya and Sonia. But every other awards race has deemed
Nielsen a supporting actress, and some voters may feel her role is not substantial
enough to merit Best Actress. Which
leaves Laurie Metcalf and Cicely Tyson, both of whom received across the board
raves for their performances. In fact, I
would say the raves for Metcalf were slightly more ecstatic, but her show
closed several months ago while Tyson’s premiered late in the spring season. And considering that Tyson has already won
the Outer Critics and Drama Desk awards for her performance in The Trip to Bountiful, she becomes the
clear frontrunner here. This race is
Tyson’s to lose.
Should Win:
Laurie Metcalf, The Other
Place
Will Win:
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to
Bountiful
Best Actress in a
Musical
 |
| The charming Laura Osnes has lived her own Cinderella story, going from unknown actress on a TV talent show to a Tony-nominated leading lady. |
Nominees:
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Carolee Carmello, Scandalous; Valisia LeKae, Motown
the Musical; Patina Miller, Pippin; Laura
Osnes, Cinderella
No
disrespect to the nominated women, but this year’s Best Actress in a Musical
category is one of the weakest in recent memory, lacking the kind of outsized
diva performances that usually make this race so interesting. On the positive side, whoever wins will be a
first time Tony recipient, virtually guaranteeing a tearful and heartfelt
acceptance speech. I really enjoyed
Stephanie J. Block in Drood, and the
part showcased her various talents with panache, but the borderline supporting role
sidelined her for much of the second act.
Drood also closed months ago,
although it is still more recent than Carolee Carmello’s turn in the
short-lived Scandalous. And while I’m sure Valisia LeKae is lovely as
Diana Ross in Motown the Musical, I
just don’t think the show or the actress has enough support behind her to snag
one of Broadway’s highest honors.
This is a
two horse race between past nominees Laura Osnes and Patina Miller, and I would
say they are pretty evenly matched.
Miller is giving the more overtly impressive performance as the Leading
Player in Pippin, displaying a
surprising affinity for the Fosse-esque choreography and utilizing her
trademark powerhouse vocals to great effect.
But many people, myself including, feel like Miller is trying too hard,
and her aggressive need to impress the audience is not the most endearing
quality. Meanwhile, Osnes is widely
liked within the industry, as evidenced by her ability to get nominated among
last year’s much more competitive field for her work in the little seen Bonnie and Clyde. She is also perfectly cast as the title
character in Cinderella, a show Tony
voters are clearly high on despite the questionable rewrites by Douglas Carter
Beane.
I think in
their hearts, most Tony voters want to see Osnes win this award, which would be
the ultimate validation for someone who initially rose to fame on a reality TV
show. But Miller’s performance is mighty
impressive, and I suspect she would have won two years ago if it had not been
for Sutton Foster’s fantastic turn in Anything
Goes. This race is almost too close
to call, but my gut is telling me to give Osnes the edge.
Should Win:
Patina Mille, Pippin
Will Win:
Laura Osnes, Cinderella
Check back
soon to see my predictions for the Best Actor races, followed by the production
awards. In the meantime, catch up with
all of my previous Tony coverage here:
Best Book and Score
Best Choreography and Direction
Tony Nomination React
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