The 2018 Best Actor in a Musical Race

[BroadwayConcierge]

I figured this category warrants its own thread because it's really the only one this year without a clear frontrunner.

I also really wanted to put this video somewhere on here, which is a fascinating interview between Laura Heywood and My Fair Lady's Harry Hadden-Paton, who's giving what I truly believe is unequivocally the best leading male performance of the season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlnLAt9qJI0 

[smidge]

There are really good cases to be made for all of these nominees. I'm not even going to try to predict this one

[CPannullo]

I feel like that it’s pretty much between a Ethan Slater and Harry Hadden-Paton. I’m persoanlly rooting for Ethan Slater to win

[Danielle49]

You're right - this is so unpredictable. Almost maddeningly so. The more I think about this category, the less sure I am about who's going to win. The board seemed sure that Hadden-Paton would be a shoo-in, but then the reviews came out and turned that on its head. He feels like the underdog to me now. It initially seemed like Shalhoub was fading into the background, but looking at the momentum of The Band's Visit, it's quite possible he'll take it. Slater is the only one with unanimous raves from the critics, yet like others I'm concerned that his role may push him lower on the list. But then he won the Outer Critics Circle award today, so now he's up again. I haven't seen Henry, but he has this well-rounded body of musical work that could nudge him over the edge, and Carousel got better critical responses than this board predicted.

I'm holding out for Slater, but ultimately, I'll be happy no matter which of the four wins. The ones I saw were all fantastic.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Danielle49 said: "The board seemed sure that Hadden-Paton would be a shoo-in, but then the reviews came out and turned that on its head."

I don't mean to be annoying, but I don't remember reading anything other than positive reviews for Hadden-Paton on opening night?

[Danielle49]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Danielle49 said: "The board seemed sure that Hadden-Paton would be a shoo-in, but then the reviews came out and turned that on its head."

I don't mean to be annoying, but I don't remember reading anything other than positive reviews for Hadden-Paton on opening night?"

Oh, not annoying at all! I just meant that they weren't the raves that folks on the board gave for his performance - myself included. They ended up being generally positive, but not to the point of putting him at the top of the heap.

[VotePeron]

Really rooting for Ethan Slater. But I also think Andy Karl was robbed. So maybe I'm not the best judge for the Best Actor category...

[Dancingthrulife2]

Harry Hadden-Paton's interpretation of Higgins is so perfectly fitting that he doesn't steal Eliza's thunder when he shouldn't and does dazzle and charm when he should. I went back last week and was also amazed by how much his performance has improved since the early previews I attended. The last scene is now clearly a display of the change of power dynamics between Eliza and Higgins. Hadden-Paton's acting choices for the scene are pure perfection and add the much needed nuances for his character to work in the 21st century. Sure, this also proves what a great director Sher is, but without an excellent actor like Hadden-Paton Sher's vision for Higgins can never materialize.

[standingovation79]

Best tony nomination category of 2018...any could win in a single year. But I think this is going to Henry for Carousel

[BroadwayConcierge]

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Harry Hadden-Paton's interpretation of Higgins is so perfectly fitting that he doesn't stole Eliza's thunder when he shouldn't and does dazzle and charm whenhe should. I went back last week and was also amazed by how much his performance has improved since the early previews I attended. The last scene is now clearly a display of the change of power dynamics between Eliza and Higgins. Hadden-Paton's acting choices for the scene are pure perfection and add the much needed nuances for his character to workin the 21st century. Sure, this also proves what agreat director Sheris, but without an excellent actor like Hadden-Paton Sher's vision for Higgins can never materialize."

Perfectly put. The acting choices between Hadden-Paton and Ambrose in that final scene make my heart pound. 

[broadway86]

Slater’s is the only performance I’ve yet to see. Saw “My Fair Lady” yesterday, and thought that Harry was absolutely f’ing brilliant.

[little_sally]

I'd be really happy if anyone other than Joshua Henry won. I really hated his performance, and I'm a big fan of his previous work. His Billy was too one-dimensional.

[BroadwayConcierge]

It's fascinating to me that before this season began, Joshua Henry was heavily favored for the Tony—and now he's pretty much the #4 pick across the board. His Billy was really a letdown.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Harry and Lauren's MFL performances are so brilliant because they each rely so much on the work that the other is doing, and they're so specific to this version of MFL. They would feel out-of-place in any other My Fair Lady. 

As a result, I think Tony voters will give My Fair Lady both leading actor awards.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

SomethingPeculiar said: "Harry and Lauren's MFL performances are so brilliant because they each rely so much on the work that the other is doing, and they're so specific to this version of MFL. They would feel out-of-place in any other My Fair Lady.

As a result, I think Tony voters will give My Fair Ladyboth leading actor awards."

I hope for that as well. They are both giving distinct performance in well-worn roles. The biggest danger in doing these golden age classics is finding something new and fresh and unique to that particular production to avoid giving a garden-variety performance that could fit in any production of that piece. I think both Hadden-Paton and Ambrose succeed in doing just that. Because they chose to take it their own direction, it may not work for some, but I like that they did indeed put their stamp on the roles.

[thealtoslament]

VotePeron said: "Really rooting for Ethan Slater. But I also think Andy Karl was robbed. So maybe I'm not the best judge for the Best Actor category..."

Groundhog Day should’ve waited until this season. I’m still bitter. 

[Eliza2]

BroadwayConcierge said: "I figured this category warrants its own thread because it's really the only one this year without a clear frontrunner.

I also really wanted to put this video somewhere on here, which is afascinatinginterview between Laura Heywood and My Fair Lady's Harry Hadden-Paton, who's givingwhat I truly believe is unequivocally the bestleading male performance of the season:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlnLAt9qJI0"

Laura Heywood's interviews are always the best. She has such a natural rapport with everyone she talks to. Thanks for posting this link.

[BroadwayConcierge]

My pleasure! Heywood is such a pleasure to watch. She balances a natural, fun personality with asking real, substantive, non-fluffy questions so perfectly.

[natashalost]

(Disclaimer: I've only seen Carousel and The Band's Visit out of those nominated in this category)

I thought for awhile the race was between Tony Shalhoub and Joshua Henry but after reading this thread I have it think it's between Hadden-Patton and Shalhoub. 

I think Slater definitely deserves to win, based on how hard I've heard he's working, I don't think the Tony voters will give it to him simply because he's playing Spongebob (Then again this is a pretty strange season so anything could happen). I guess we will have to see! I'm rooting for Tony Shalhoub!

[willrolandsframes]

thealtoslament said: "Groundhog Day should’ve waited until this season. I’m still bitter."

You want to talk about regretting not waiting? How do you think the producers of Amelie feel right about now? In a season like this, that show likely would've gotten a fair share of nominations as well as a much larger space than the Kerr.

They really, really, really dropped the ball.

[GeorgeandDot]

Amelie is weaker than all of the shows nominated this year. It didn't get nominated and it closed super early because it was a remarkably bad musical. It wouldn't do any better this season.

I never thought I would say this, but Ethan Slater deserves the Tony. Tony Shalhoub is still probably my favorite simply because his acting was so incredible, but he barely sings and has already left the show, which I think hurts his chances. Joshua Henry, just like everyone in this production of Carousel, gives an unfocused performance. This is due to the direction. Had Carousel pulled in a decent director, Henry would still be the frontrunner. I could see the possibilities in his performance, but it still didn't come together. Harry Hadden-Patton is confusing to me. It's a good performance that has moments of greatness, but I found him truly unmemorable. He just kind of disappears occasionally and I often found that he, as well as the rest of the cast, played their stakes pretty low. I also didn't love how he oversings the scores and I didn't love the angry "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." Slater gives a brilliant performance. At first it's just an imitation, but when you watch his physical performance, it's astounding. He really carries that show, which is not something that I can say for the other leading men.

[MadsonMelo]

It's, literally, one of the few categories, at least major ones, that I've ever followed in the major awards that EVERYONE has a chance. 

Just amazing!

I'm really torn between Hadden-Paton and Henry.

[Mike66]

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Harry Hadden-Paton's interpretation of Higgins is so perfectly fitting that he doesn't steal Eliza's thunder when he shouldn't and does dazzle and charm whenhe should. I went back last week and was also amazed by how much his performance has improved since the early previews I attended. The last scene is now clearly a display of the change of power dynamics between Eliza and Higgins. Hadden-Paton's acting choices for the scene are pure perfection and add the much needed nuances for his character to workin the 21st century. Sure, this also proves what agreat director Sheris, but without an excellent actor like Hadden-Paton Sher's vision for Higgins can never materialize."

I this in right -- and is a good reason to give him the award. It's striking how Higgins is diminished and Eliza grows.  That certainly wasn't the case with Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews.  All credit to the Director, of course. But it's a strong showing by both actors to pull it off.  (Of course, Ambrose is up against Lenk, so she can only hope for 2nd place)

[CurtainPullDowner]

Tony Shalhoub.

[Elfuhbuh]

I want Ethan Slater to win.