Is this Celia Keenan-Bolger’s Year?

[BeingAlive 2]

I am so excited at the prospect of Celia finally get the long overdue recognition she deserves. Its always so thrilling when a beloved theater actor gets such a high profile production  and gives a performance as good as her work in Mockingbird. Loved her since her Spelling Bee days and really wish she had won for The Glass Menagerie. Do you all think shes in a good position to win a Tony this year?

[Zion24]

God I hope so. 

[Stephen75]

Oh I hope so. This is absolutely her time to win. She has the role of a lifetime in a fabulous production. She's paid her dues and you can tell that this would mean so much to her to win for this special character. I don't know who her biggest competitor would be. I didn't see The Ferryman, but I suppose one of those women? Maybeeee Joan Allen if they pull what they did last year and give Leading and Featured Actress to the same show. Mercedes Ruehl felt like she had some momentum, but that production is long gone and I fear won't be remembered. And while I know it's about who is the BEST, I can't help but be a bit of an awards socialist and acknowledge that Allen and Ruehl have Tony's, so it would be nice to see Celia win. It's also an opportunity to reward the production. 

Celia's Scout is a performance for the ages. She deserves the Tony 100%.

[Mike Barrett]

She stole the show for me. God I hope she wins! One of the best performances Ive seen on stage. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Joan Allen is the only person who comes to mind as serious competition.

[JSquared2]

IdinaBellFoster said: "Joan Allen is the only person who comes to mind as serious competition."

 

Mercedes Ruehl

 

[GeorgeandDot]

I don't think Ruehl will even be nominated.

I think that this is definitely Celia's year and rightfully so. I think her only competition is Joan Allen who was sublime in The Waverly Gallery.

[Kad]

Ruehl was excellent, but I'm not seeing Torch Song display much staying power with people in the industry. It came and went and got overshadowed very quickly. 

[bjh2114]

I don't see Ruehl being nominated. And if I'm being perfectly honest, I could see Joan Allen getting overlooked as well since the show closed so long ago.  At this point, I think my guesses would be Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mockingbird), LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Mockingbird), Fionnula Flanagan (Ferryman), Dearbhla Molloy (Ferryman), and Ruth Wilson (Lear). I could see Allen getting in over Jackson or Molloy, but she would be my 6th guess.

Edited to add: I FULLY forgot about Julie White. I absolutely expect her to get nominated (likely in Molloy's spot).

[Broadway61004]

GeorgeandDot said: "I think that this is definitely Celia's year and rightfully so. I think her only competition is Joan Allen who was sublime in The Waverly Gallery."

I wouldn't at all count out Fionnula Flanagan, who received raves in The Ferryman and just extended her run in the show.  Also, looking back at this century, 14 of the 19 Best Play winners took home at least one acting award (including some mild upsets such as Michael Aaranov and Eddie Redmayne).  So of course if Mockingbird ends up winning Best Play, it would make sense if Keenan-Bolger wins.  But if The Ferryman takes play (as I currently predict it will), I would be somewhat surprised if that stellar ensemble cast isn't recognized in some way, and this category seems like the most likely place to do that.

[Wick3]

I read the book before watching the play and will admit I thought Celia would be up for Actress in a Leading Role given how the whole book was based on Scout's observations. From reading this thread, though, I'm assuming that Celia is eligible for Actress in a Featured Role in a play?

I hope she gets nominated and if nominated, win the Tony. Similar to what Mike said, she stole the show for me too.

[Zion24]

Based on the impact she has, I could see them putting her forward as Lead Actress with a straight face, but given this year's crop of performances, she has a much better shot in Featured. 

The Ferryman is really an ensemble piece, and while all great, none stood out to me particularly. I agree that Joan Allen could provide some competition- she really was incredible- but she didn't life that production, Elaine May did. Here, Celia's performance rivals, if not outshines, Daniels, and the reviews seemed to indicate the same. I'd be surprised if she didnt take it. 

[bjh2114]

JDonaghy4 said: "Based on the impact she has, I could see them putting her forward as Lead Actress with a straight face, but given this year's crop of performances, she has a much better shot in Featured."

She's already been deemed eligible in Featured.

[Miles2Go2]

I haven’t seen TKAM yet, but I think she’ll win because momentum is behind her and she reportedly is phenomenal in the role. If we look at the comparison between last year’s OCC/Tony noms/wins, I think Allen will get a nom, but Ruehl will not. If Ruehl does get nominated, she won’t win. It appears the Tony winners were usually at least nominated at OCC in the year they were eligible.

[Zion24]

bjh2114 said: "JDonaghy4 said: "Based on the impact she has, I could see them putting her forward as Lead Actress with a straight face, but given this year's crop of performances, she has a much better shot in Featured."

She's already been deemed eligible in Featured."

Sorry, i meant that her performance is powerful/meaty to the point of rising to the level of Lead. I am very glad she's been deemed featured because I think it enables a win (though I bet LaTanya Jackson isnt...)

[HeyMrMusic]

JDonaghy4 said: "bjh2114 said: "JDonaghy4 said: "Based on the impact she has, I could see them putting her forward as Lead Actress with a straight face, but given this year's crop of performances, she has a much better shot in Featured."

She's already been deemed eligible in Featured."

Sorry, i meant that her performance is powerful/meaty to the point of rising to the level of Lead. I am very glad she's been deemed featured because I think it enables a win (though I bet LaTanya Jackson isnt...)"

She should have been put in the Leading Actress category. She is more of a lead than Daniels. It’s told through her eyes, as it is in the novel. But it’s Tony strategy, and I think she will finally win...and maybe play older roles after?