Best Featured Actress in a Musical

[isabellovestheatre]

Hello!

What are your predictions for best featured actress in a musical at this year's tony awards? The race seems pretty close, and I wanted to hear your thoughts!

[froote]

Seems to me like Rachel Bay Jones is the favorite with Jen Colella as the dark horse.

[icecreambenjamin]

I think the race is really between Rachel Bay Jones and Stephanie J Block.  I'd honestly be happy with either of them winning, but it will probably end up being Rachel Bay Jones.

[BroadwayConcierge]

It ought to be Rachel Bay Jones. She's sublime in this role. The DEH Facebook page recently posted a wonderful video about her as an actress and as this character.

[Gensho]

Rachel Bay Jones 

[HeyMrMusic]

According to Ben Brantley, Mary Beth Peil. :P

[froote]

HeyMrMusic said: "According to Ben Brantley, Mary Beth Peil. :P"

We can laugh, but I'd honestly be pleased for her!

[HeyMrMusic]

I would too! She's wonderful in the show and knocks it out of the park every time she's onstage. And when is the next time she'd be up for such an honor?

[Robbie2]

RBJ will WIN the TONY

[Margo319]

Stephanie Block with all of my heart.

[South Florida]

A little stressed for SJB, hope she wins, we knew she had no shot for Drood, the RBJ folks sound pretty confident.  I think it may be harder for closed shows nominees, we'll see.

[Broadway61004]

More than likely either Jones or Colella, but honestly, as much as we joke about Brantley picking Peil, would not at all be shocked to see her pull the upset. Given how much the Tonys have been on a kick of rewarding long overdue Broadway veterans lately and how much she is beloved in the community (not to mention that for the most part even the people who hated Anastasia still raved about her), it's not that far fetched that she could win.

[rjm516]

I saw Anastasia recently and was sure that the actress nominated was the assistant, not the grandmother. I just...no...that role cannot beat Jones, Colella, or Block, who are each giving (or gave) award worthy performances. (I haven't seen Baldwin.) Those three would certainly each be worthy of the win but I hope against hope that it's Jones. I still am angry that she didn't win for Pippin, let alone get nominated, and as hilarious as she was there she is heartbreaking and gritty and so real here.

 

I also can't believe Peil got in over literally any of the Comet ladies. 

[froote]

I would have nominated Peil, Caroline O'Connor, Brittain Ashford and Amber Gray all over Jen Colella who I think is lovely and talented but has an extremely limited role that doesn't impress outside of her solo.

[LYLS3637]

I think if FALSETTOS has any shot at an upset, it'd be in this category. 

[AC126748]

Surprised that so many people think SJB stands a strong chance at winning. This race has always seemed like it was between Jones and Colella. 

[Nycat63]

AC126748 said: "Surprised that so many people think SJB stands a strong chance at winning. This race has always seemed like it was between Jones and Colella. 

 

"I don't know if SBJ  has a "strong chance" but I wish she did.  She was spectacular.  I liked RBJ immensely in DEH and love her voice (though to me, Jennifer Laura Thompson gave the more emotionally difficult and resonant performance - she just didn't get as much material as RBJ), but for my money SBJ stole Falsettos.  "I'm Breaking Down" alone was a master class and unlike any single performance I have ever seen.  People were literally jumping out of their seats applauding.  

 

[Nycat63]

AC126748 said: "Surprised that so many people think SJB stands a strong chance at winning. This race has always seemed like it was between Jones and Colella. 

 

Double post.  Sorry app issues.  

 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

It's definitely between Colella and Jones.

[PJPan]

It's an embarrassment of riches, really. Block's "I'm Breaking Down" was sublime, and Colella was a fantastic surprise in show I didn't expect to have a standout. Jones, for me, hit so many realistic and heartfelt emotional beats that my personal preference edges toward her (I also have a ton of goodwill towards her after Pippin). At the end of the day, I wouldn't be upset if any of those three won.

[uncageg]

I felt that Come From Away was such an ensemble piece that Colella should not have been nominated. She was good and they have been highligting her character but I didn't feel it was Tony worthy. Would love to see an ensemble Tony. They would get it hands down. Just my opinion.

[ethan231h]

uncageg said: "I felt that Come From Away was such an ensemble piece that Colella should not have been nominated. She was good and they have been highligting her character but I didn't feel it was Tony worthy. Would love to see an ensemble Tony. They would get it hands down. Just my opinion.

 

"

I SO agree! Colella is wonderful but Come From Away is a true ensemble show. I really hope Rachel Bay Jones gets it. Loved her since I saw her in HAIR! Such a powerful performer and such a nice person!!

[Rainah]

uncageg said: "I felt that Come From Away was such an ensemble piece that Colella should not have been nominated. She was good and they have been highligting her character but I didn't feel it was Tony worthy. Would love to see an ensemble Tony. They would get it hands down. Just my opinion."

I agree with you, but I think that's why she's going to win. She's a stand-in for the whole ensemble

(I think the gentleman with the whole stealing barbecues stick was a much finer performance than Colella, who gave a great performance but one on par with everyone else)

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

This category is an embarrassment of riches and you can't go wrong with any winner in it. I loved SJB in Falsettos but I'm pulling for Jenn Colella for this one. I thought Rachel Bay Jones was good but I just think Colella is doing standout work in an ensemble piece, coupled with the difficult task of portraying a real person who is still alive. Just my opinion and hope.

[wonderfulwizard11]

I'd personally vote for Rachel Bay Jones, but Jenn Colella would be fine in my book. The entire ensemble of Come From Away is excellent, and spotlighting her would be a good way to show that.