Very few people have commented on his singing. I found his acting and singing to be fair (and not challenging in these areas), but his dancing excellent. In my opinion, that's not deserving of a Tony Award especially against Cerveris.
If I'm not wrong, Adam Cooper was nominated for Best actor in a musical for Matthew Bourne's SWAN LAKE, even if it was pure dancing and absolutely no singing.
"The award is for best performance - it is not for the best actor or the best dancer - but the person who gave the best performance (in the aggregate opinion of the voters). So, the question makes no sense. "
I completely agree. I remember when Desmond Richardson was nominated for Fosse and everyone was making a big deal out of the fact that he didn't utter a word in the show so how could he be considered an actor. But yes, it's best male PERFORMANCE in a MUSICAL.
"It's all subjective. But I preferred Yazbeck. Acting, singing and dancing. His performance moved and impressed me most. "
The more I think on it, the more I agree.
Fairchild has never really been at the top of my list only because I think Yazbeck has him beat in the acting and singing department. And while I think RF is an amazing dancer, Yazbeck is a great dancer too, in a very earthy way. And the way he combines that with the other two "threats," I'd have to give it to him over Fairchild.
Michael Cerveris is very good in FH, and I found myself leaning toward him for a while, but I like Yazbeck, across the board, better.