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

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 5:01am

"Remember, it has only been a year since Audra won for Porgy and Bess. Is anyone else unhappy that Audra spent so many of her prime vocal years appearing on some dopey network medical drama series that borrowed heavily from the dozen network medical series that came before?"

Actually, she won for Porgy and Bess in 2012, so it has been two years. That medical drama lasted six seasons, and was pretty popular. She has stated the paycheck from the show made it possible to support her Broadway habit. Also, during her entire four year stint on Private Practice, she was a guest vocalist in concerts all over the country, so none of "her prime vocal years" were wasted.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 8:49am

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

[StageManager2]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 12:51pm

Kelli O'Hara has four nominations without a win. She deserved to win in 2008 for South Pacific, but Patti Lupone, who had been nominated twice without winning, although in both cases (Anthing Goes and Sweeney Todd) she probably deserved to win, the award went elsewhere. So, in 2008, nominated for Gypsy, she won what some called a "make up" award.

Patti had been nominated twice before Anything Goes [1988] and Sweeney Todd [2006] -- Featured Actress in a Musical for The Robber Bridegroom (1976) and Best Actress in a Musical for Evita (1980), winning for the latter. So by the time of Gypsy [2008], she'd acquired 4 nominations and 1 win. The thing is, she was probably second in 1988 and most likely runner-up again in 2006 -- plus, she hadn't won since Evita 28 years earlier -- so in that regard I agree there was an overdue factor at work.

There's no overdue narrative with Audra. She won 5 of her 7 nominations in 18 years' time, most recently in 2012. I don't know how the Tony Committee works, but I doubt they'll give Audra a record-breaking sixth Tony so soon, especially when other possible contenders have none. It took Julie Harris 25 years to win 5 Tonys and never won again despite being nominated twice more. Likewise, it took Angela Lansbury 33 years to win her fifth Tony and didn't win the following year when she was nominated again despite being a strong contender.

Melissa25, there was also another tie in 1968 when Patricia Routledge and Leslie Uggams tied for Darling of the Day and Hallelujah, Baby!, respectively. Come to think of it, the first two black winners had to share their award with a white actress -- what gives? It wouldn't be until 1974 when Virginia Capers won by herself for Raisin.


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Updated On: 4/24/14 at 12:51 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 2:36pm

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

[jdrye222]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 9:20pm

I still think the Tonys will rule it a play despite the other awards.
But I don't really have a strong opinion personally.
I just know that if she does win her 6th Tony, it is 100% deserved.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 9:52pm

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.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 9:55pm

Okay, THAT was funny.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:08pm

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

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:18pm

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.

The other half of the Tony is in Jan Maxwell's bag.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:27pm

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

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:31pm

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."

You would be surprised how much politics play a role in the voting process.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:32pm

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

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:35pm

If you know anyone who works in the business, they'll all tell you the same thing. It's not like they're going to pick a TERRIBLE performance over a good performance for political reasons. But if there are two solid performances and one is being given by somebody who is constantly overlooked, that comes into play when voters are making their decisions.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/24/14 at 11:37pm

Interesting. Only time will tell, I suppose.

[brdway411]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:06am

I saw this tonight and I am not sure how I would place it. It is so similar to Over the Rainbow. But that had less music. BTW, I LOVED IT!!!! I just wish that the audience was better behaved. Once again someone broke the spell by taking flash pictures during the show and a couple of phones went off. WTH People. turn off the freaking phones already. I wish She could ad lib and yell at the audience the way NPH does in Headwig. Would love to see Lady Day rip someone a new one for a phone going off.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:09am

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

Kidding, I'd LOVE to see that too.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:11am

Someone took a flash photo during the show? Are you f*cking serious? I hope they were kicked out. The rudeness has gotten completely repugnant, and I hope they start taking action (throwing people out) soon.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:13am

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…

[brdway411]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:16am

was at Jersey Boys 2 weeks ago and some idiot did it there too. During the show. The ushers were on them like stink on SH#T. I wish they would start ejecting people. And ones who sing along too.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:22am

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

[brdway411]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:26am

Had 2 women (I use that term loosely) behind me on Sunday at the Mary Martin thing and they hummed, sang along and talked through the whole show. I was ready to kill.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:32am

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.

[brdway411]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:37am

I usually do, but did not want to start a B@tch fight in Easter Sunday. I gave them a few looks and SHHHH!!! there was no intermission to get an usher to tell them to STHU so I had to endure.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:42am

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.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 12:46am

Several people had asked them to be quiet, which they ignored and they were dropping f bombs left and right so....I don't think they cared.

Updated On: 4/25/14 at 12:46 AM