Will Esparza win for the Homecoming.- Page 2

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:08pm

I think you can tell where my sympathies lie from my avatar pic.

But that being said, I’m really torn on this one. On the one hand, I hope he doesn’t win because if he does it will always have the taint of “consolation prize” attached to it. On the other hand, I‘d like to see him win his first Tony for a straight play, because he’s always professed that that is what he’s worked and trained and studied to become. Musicals were something he fell into, kind of sideways.

And I have to say this – TooDarnHot, what sort of naïve, sunshine and daffodil filled world do you live in that you so firmly believe the Tony voters will vote the award to the “most deserving”, the “better performance”? There’s so much politics and emotions and personal relationships that get mixed up in that voting process that it gets turned on it’s head as often as it comes out right. Granted, the Tonys aren’t as bad in that respect as the Oscars, but they’re very far from being purely altruistic, as you seem to believe they are.

Bottom line is, if he loses, I’ll be a bit sad, but I won’t be at all heartbroken. He’s got a lot of Tonys still to come in his future.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:11pm

I don't think that Lenny in The Homecoming is a forgettable role, but I also don't think that Raul did anything spectacular with it. He turned in an interesting, fairly solid performance, but he's given several stronger ones over the course of his career. I don't have a bit of problem believing that Norton is the more deserving of the two, although I wasn't able to see The Seafarer. Updated On: 6/7/08 at 04:11 PM

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:32pm

I dont think he should win becuase they way I feel about the awards is that yes its great to win one but I think it matters what you are awarded for. I think that being awarded for Company was deserving because the performance was revolutionary, incredible and many other great things. And of course he didnt win the tony. I think that by him winning this year it would be a consolation prize for not winning last year and I think that even Raul would know that. And I predict he will win it but I think they should award a future performance of his where its more deserved.

[trinaaron]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:39pm

I thought the nomination alone was a consolation prize for last year.

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:48pm

Also, let's not forget Conleth Hill who was fabulous in THE SEAFARER.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:59pm

Both nominated men from The Seafarer gave better performances than Esparza in my opinion.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 5:33pm

agreed with all of the above, except for humbugfoto's!

Esparza doesn't deserve it.

[DG]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 5:43pm

"But you have to consider the fanatical worship of his performance last year in COMPANY."

I do consider it, as I've pondered it in the past. And it still doesn't make sense to me.

What you need to accept is that while some worshipped the performance fanatically, others thought it a little less praise-worthy.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 7:36pm

And yet that was last season, the Tony awards of 2008 should go to the performance of the actor THIS year and not cumulatively

Ideally, yes, but it has happened before, so it's not as though it would be any different than other "consolation" winners in the past.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 7:40pm

<< Both nominated men from The Seafarer gave better performances than Esparza in my opinion.
>>

Totally agree !! Actually, I think that all five men in "The Seafarer" were better than Esparza, and Pittu better as well.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 7:46pm

If he wins, it's going to be an apology for last year. It's not to say that his performance in The Homecoming wasn't worthy, but given the reaction to last year, I would guess that people who vote for him this year won't be thinking that way. And honestly, I quite enjoyed his performance as Lenny, but I definitely don't think it was his best. He deserved it for Bobby, and the big thing I still wonder with regards to his loss last year is, "If he can't win for that, what the hell does he have to do?" I adore him, and I want great things -- including a Tony (or a few) -- for him; but not a pity award. Of course I'd be happy for him if he did win this year. And I think he has a shot. Seeing him lose last year absolutely broke my heart. But I won't be heartbroken if he loses this year. There could be better circumstances.

That said, I could do without the histrionics this year, too. From both sides. I also have to say that I think some of these theories for why he might or might not, should or shouldn't win are flat-out stupid. Yes, even the ones that coincide with my preferred outcome. Do you people live under rocks?

Updated On: 6/7/08 at 07:46 PM

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 7:48pm

I agree, I mean I am aware of the reality, but I'm just trying to stay somewhat positive that the voters will make an informed decision. Whatever that may be at this rate. :-/ If Esparza wins and the voters base that off last year, I will be happy that he won, but think it kind of a cop-out from voting in the realm of this year alone. Think Brian Stokes Mitchell viewing that he won for KMK as consolation for losing out on his Ragtime nomination. A win is a win, but to harbor a suspicion like that must be bittersweet right?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:22pm

More interesting, will he bring his wife or boyfriend to the Awards this year.
And don't jump on me, he went public with that issue himcelf.
Though I think his professional history and an overated performance cost him the award last year, I don't see the same voters feeling sorry for him this year and voting for hum.
But if enough voters liked his performance beter than he could take it.
Either way it will be be assumed he got the "pity" vote.
Poor guy can't catch a break.

Maybe LEAP OF FAITH will win him back some support.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:29pm

he has a Wife?

wow... I've always thought of him to be pretty homosexual and that's about it

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:30pm

I did not see Esparza in the Homecoming, but I will say that Jim Norton's performance was one of the greatest I have ever seen in my life.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:36pm

He's a HUGE talent!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:44pm

Speaking of Tony voters, what is the actual deadline for Tony voters to submit their choices? Just wondering....and still working without an avatar. : ( RC in Austin, Texas

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 1:43am

While I love Raul and thought he was robbed last year, I am really hoping Bobby Cannavale wins for Mauritius. He was fantastic!

[BrianS]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 2:45am

"While that didn't pan out into the Tonys, it showed people that Esparza could do more than his usual over-the-top performance."

To me, it showed him take Bobby (who should be charming beyond belief) and turn the character into Raul's usual tortured, whining character. I felt his "Being Alive" was extremely self-aware and personally, I can't stand his singing voice. I'm not saying the majority of the voters agreed with me, but they obviously didn't think he should have won for that performance.

"And he's well-liked in the community."

Actually, after his insulting closing night speech at Chitty which left many jaws hanging open, to his "look at me I'm tortured with my sexuality so I'm going to discuss it in the freaking New York Times" right before Tony voting (which felt a little manipulative), or just out of a sense of compassion for his wife and what he put her through when people would see her sitting there at different events, I wouldn't really say he gets across the board high marks.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 3:04am

Jim Norton deserves this award. Period.

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 4:02am

What about his closing night speech at Chitty angered people?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 5:10am

to his "look at me I'm tortured with my sexuality so I'm going to discuss it in the freaking New York Times" right before Tony voting (which felt a little manipulative)

That interview came out in November- long before Tony voting.


Raul's Chitty closing speech (nearly verbatim):

"I don't want to delay your New Years plans but I wanted to say a few things. And I wanted to say essentially that from the day that we all walked into rehearsals, we were all over-qualified. And everybody here has either been a lead of a show, or danced in some extraordinary ballet, and played in things that are far more challenging and far more complicated and far more rewarding ultimately in some way. And we all thought 'Oh, we're going to do Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.' But I think that because of this extraordinary and talented cast and because of people like the great Gillian Lynne, I think we all kind of caught on that this could be a pretty special experience if we let it be. For myself, it happened a day in rehearsals when Henry Hodges who played my son came and just hugged me, and Ellen Marlow came on the other side. And I thought 'Well, this is what the show is about.' It's about making sure that these two kids never have a bad time onstage. That they never ever get upset and this never turns out to be anything but beautiful. And I think that in our world now, it's very easy to be cynical and forget what it's like to be five, ten, twelve years old is like. And I don't get emotional during closings 'cause I think that life is opening another door and it's so wonderful to tell a different story and God knows every one of us will. But seeing these kids onstage today, it hit my heart again how lucky we are to have done this."


I find it unlikely enough of the theatre community was in the audience (or onstage) that day to witness the speech, find offense in it and still hold a grudge two and a half years later in the same way you are, to use this as a primary point of contention. He might not be winning popularity contests amongst his peers for a variety of reasons, but the examples you used sound more like a personal bias than logical justification of the theatre community's collective opinion.

Updated On: 6/8/08 at 05:10 AM

[BrianS]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 9:59am

First, I admire your memorization skills. That was amazing.

I didn't use this as my primary point, but one of three examples I came up with at 2:45 am. My intention was not to list every negative thing the man has done, but rather to bring up a few examples on why he might be seen in a negative light in people's eyes. Though, I promise you that the content of this speech did make it's way around the theater community quickly the very next day.

The man is human and I'm not saying he's a bad guy. My point was to refute the notion that he is so "well liked" that his personality would help his tony chances (as opposed to someone like Julie Andrews or, I would argue, that Harvey does have that kind of halo effect that warrants warmer consideration for his work).

[keen on kean]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 10:23am

I wasn't there for the Chitty Chitty speech, but I, too, am having trouble seeing what is so offensive about it. Isn't he just saying we did a good job, and the kids are great?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 10:57am

Look, no one is OWED anything. No one is overdue for ANYTHING.

Raul delivered a stunning performance in COMPANY. I felt he should have won, but the Tony voters didn't. So it went DHP.

I think Jim Norton delivered the stronger performance this year. If the Tony's are a celebration of the best work in a season, we need to stop throwing around words like "overdue" and talk about who delivered the finer work in the season. Anyone who's "overdue" should be discussed for The Lifetime Achievement.

Am I wrong here, people?