Tony Nominations HAPPINESS Thread

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/3/16 at 11:49pm

So I sometimes avoid threads I once enjoyed (or the site altogether) because it gets so negative, with people focusing on shows or performances they did not like or who shouldve gotten the spot instead. Some people always express regret at this negativity, so why not have a thread that goes the other way? I thought we should have a place where we can focus on the positive. Those other conversations have their place and sometimes people need to vent, but let's save the rants for those other discussions and keep this thread a happy place. Just pure excitement for our favorites and shared joy/excitement/hope.  (Hey, it's worth a shot...)

 

I'll start:  Leslie Odom Jr. Is giving one of my favorite performances EVER and I am so excited he was nominated, while not surprised. The playbill site (or maybe it was Broadway.com) collecting nominee responses had his wife's reaction on Instagram and it was just heartwarming. He is such a lovely person and I'm so happy he is being recognized. I have heard he plans to go work on his musical career after leaving Hamilton, but I hope he returns to the theater stage soon!  Whatever he chooses, I am sure this will help. 

 

I'm also so thrilled for Carmen Cusack. The profile of her in the Times made me love her even more, and it's so great to see an actress who has long been successful in tours/regional productions (with Chicago connections no less!) get such acclaim. I hope this propels her career to new heights and we get to see her again very soon!!

Happy for all the nominees, but these made my heart swell today.   I wanted to end the day on a happy note.

 

Anyone else have anything that made them particularly happy in the nominations today?

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:11am

Thankyou for this thread! 

I'll just talk about the ones that I wasn't sure would happen.

So happy for Spring Awakening. It is such a testament to that production that it has been remembered all these months on despite it being a really competitive year for revivals anyway! It goes to show that if your show is good enough, it doesn't need to be commercially successful to get recognition.

Phillipa Soo getting in has made my day. She really was working against 6 actresses who are far more central to their shows than she is and even the stage time she does get can be overshadowed by other actors as her character is so self-deprecating. For me she showed the art of a subtle and nuanced performance. For her (and Carmen Cusack) to get in over a 6-time Tony winner is a testament to their brilliant performances. 

I am so happy that the two shows with the most nominations (and I believe two of the most commercially successful new musicals) - Hamilton and Shuffle Along - star primarily people of color and both focus on the idea of legacy and making sure peoples stories are told. Hamilton, Eliza, Eubie Blake etc. are all having their largely ignored/forgotten stories told to thousands of people every night in the most brilliant way and I am so grateful to the writers of both shows for choosing to do this. 

It is such a joy to see that half of the nominations for acting in a musical go to people of color. May this be a message to casting directors in the future.

Updated On: 5/4/16 at 12:11 AM

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:11am

I was thrilled with the Bright Star Love! I'm not quite sure what it is that I love about the show so much, but I find it so heartwarming, particularly since I've been listening to the cast recording on repeat. I think the show and its characters remind me of home. I'm also happy that the voters remembered Spring Awakening. That was a truly special production. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:17am

Totally agree with all of this!  Such a wonderfully diverse season all around. How many young kids--kids of color, deaf kids, kids in wheelchairs, kids who like hip hop, kids who want to be rock stars, kids who want to play the banjo--do you think will hear about this diversity and think "maybe I can do that someday?" 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:30am

In addition to many of the nominees already mentioned I'd like to add my happiness about: 

 

--Adrienne Warren: I saw her previously in Dreamgirls and Bring it On (3 times!), and I have always found her to be an underrated talent. I'm very happy that she's receiving recognition for this role. 

--Jennifer Simmard: a brilliantly hilarious, flawlessly dead-pan performance very worthy of recognition. 

--Dames at Sea choreography: I loved this adorable production, and I'm so happy that the incredible dancing has been recognized in this way, particularly in such a strong category for choreography 

--King Charles III: This was my favorite show of the season besides Hamilton, and I believe it is entirely deserving of every accolade that can possibly be thrown its way. 

--The women of Eclipsed: a wonderful ensemble. I'm very happy that 3 of them were recognized. 

--Laurie Metcalf: a wonderful surprise. I found her performance to be incredibly strong, but wasn't expecting her to actually receive a nomination. 

--Christopher Jackson: He's giving one of my favorite performances in Hamilton, and I'm so glad he's getting recognized for a powerful performance that is not as showy as most Tony nominees. 

--Bill Camp: He gave a really great performance in The Crucible, and he was easily my top pick for a nomination out of the people in that production. His character is, in many ways, the glue that holds the play's arc together (though maybe not as much as John Proctor), yet it seems like few seem to realize that. 

 

 

[illiniparkie]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 1:13am

I am happy that Chicago area talent was recognized this season on Broadway.  Bravo to Michael Shannon, Phillipa Soo, Jessie Mueller, Laurie Metcalf, and anyone else I missed.

Updated On: 5/4/16 at 01:13 AM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 2:11am

So happy for 3 of my favorite performances this year along with Audra's non Tony nom!

Phillipa Soo, Adrienne Warren & Brandon Victor Dixon!

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:00am

illiniparkie said: "I am happy that Chicago area talent was recognized this season on Broadway.  Bravo to Michael Shannon, Phillipa Soo, Jessie Mueller, Laurie Metcalf, and anyone else I missed.

 

"

Yes!  And it's not Chicago, but Christopher Jackson  is from Illinois!

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:03am

I am so happy that Michelle Williams and Jeff Daniels got nominated...

[mpkie]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:27am

I was happy to see Carmen Cusack up there because she is an absolute treasure!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:31am

I am very happy that Christopher Jackson received a nomination. Although I have yet to see him as George Washington (he was out both times I saw Hamilton), his "History Has Its Eyes on You" towards the end of Non-Stop on the CD is wonderful!

I can also add that I did one of my first professional shows with one of the nominees for Best Actress in a musical.

Updated On: 5/4/16 at 11:31 AM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:32am

Blackbird's 3 nominations and Hamilton's 16 nominations. :)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:34am

I saw Tuck Everlasting last night and the costumes were GORGEOUS. I'm so glad they were nominated for that, now that I've seen the costumes in person!

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:38am

DottieD'Luscia said: "I am very happy that Christopher Jackson received a nomination. Although I have yet to see him as George Washington (he was out both times I saw Hamilton), his "History Has Its Eyes on You" towards the end of Non-Stop on the CD is wonderful!

I can also add that I did one of my first professional shows with one of the nominees for Best Actress in a musical.

 

 


"

 

I agree about Jackson!  When I saw 1776 at Encores! Whenever there was a message from George Washington I pictured Jackson. There is something about him that embodies everything I want to imagine our first president was--a leader who unified everyone and led with a quiet, dignified strength. I know Miranda wrote the part with him in mind.  It's so great to see him recognized.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:28pm

Design-wise, I'm thrilled that the TONYs remembered:

Beowulf Boritt's ravishingly lovely THERESE RAQUIN set.

Christopher Oram's ghost-filled set for HUGHIE.

Es Devlin & Finn Ross's boundary-pushing AMERICAN PSYCHO set.

I suspect none of these designs are the frontrunners in their categories, but hope they get love over their more commercially conventional competitors.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:39pm

I've written a similar sentiment in probably five other threads, but I am purely elated for Carmen Cusack. This is a true example of a breakout role, and a talent finally being recognized after years and years in this business. And what a performance she is giving! Also, the Bright Star love in general. I adore the show and was by no means expecting it to get a Best Musical nod (who was?). It could make all the difference in the show having a healthy run. Thrilled. 

[tazber]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 12:52pm

Very happy with the nominations overall.

 

Delighted that Bright Star and SoR had such good showings.

[smidge]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 3:07pm

Very happy with Michael Arden's nomination.  From concept to execution , the SA revival was a stunning achievement.  So glad his work was recognized. 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 5:23pm

Overjoyed at Daveed's nomination. I'm friends with a friend of his and he has always been the nicest, if not slightly awkward, person. He really put a lot more work into it.

[SueBee06]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 5:43pm

Overall I am thrilled with the nominations. What also really impressed me, though, was the pure class shown by Audra McDonald, both online and in sending flowers to Adrienne Warren. It was just lovely to see and hear about.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 6:03pm

I'm mostly pleased that Shuffle Along and Long Day's Journey got so much recognition. They are not perfect productions but they are so deeply worthwhile. 

[pupscotch]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 6:25pm

I'm thrilled with Michael Arden's nomination, and the one for the revival. I was so worried it wouldn't get recognized!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 6:26pm

I know they were expected to be recognized, but I adored The Humans and She Loves Me, so I'm thrilled they were well remembered. I'm also particularly happy for David Furr and Adrienne Warren, who gave standout performances in star-studded casts.

 

I know that there are those who are tired of hearing about it, but I really was pleased to see Hamilton so heavily recognized. It's rare that a show fires on all cylinders like that one, but it really is a tremendous show, and I can't think of one nomination for it that isn't deserved. 

[mc1227]

Posted: 5/4/16 at 9:18pm

Carmen Cusack and Christopher Fitzgerald because they are great!

Posted: 5/7/16 at 2:19pm

Michael Shannon! WTG!!!!!