Leading Actor in a Musical
Sahr Ngaujah gives one of the most electric performances I have ever seen in Fela! delivering boundless energy, emotional depth, and he illuminates Fela Kuti in a way that I have never seen an actor achieve in portraying a real figure. Him losing the Tony to any of the other four would be Tony highway robbery. But it has happened before, and I expect it will happen again. Brit Douglas Hodge seems to have awards momentum on his side for his turn as Albin in the dreadful revival of La Cage that New York has gone crazy for without me. However, he is one of the very few things I liked about the production–as his mix of farce and heart balances perfectly with what the production seems to be trying to achieve, but no one but he is able to deliver it. The role earned George Hearn a Tony in 1984 and I expect it will deliver again. Also rans in the category include Promises Promises’ Sean Hayes, and Memphis’ Chad Kimball, both of whom are strong and capable, if not breathtaking, leading men. La Cage’s Kelsey Grammer, who had me wishing Ted Danson, David Hyde Pierce, or anyone from the cast of “Hank” would have picked up the phone when the Weissler’s wanted a sitcom star for their revival, finishes the category with a thud.
Who Should Win Rankings:
1) Sahr Ngaujah, Fela!
2) Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles
3) Sean Hayes, Promises, Promises
4) Chad Kimball, Memphis
5) Kelsey Grammer, La Cage aux Folles
Who Will Win: Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles
Who Should Have Been Nominated: John Gallagher, Jr., American Idiot
Leading Actress in a Musical
Sherie Rene Scott delivers a bravura performance as Broadway semi-star Sherie Rene Scott in Everyday Rapture. I have loved this show since I saw it as my first day as an intern at Second Stage to its Broadway debut. It isn’t blatant 2ST pride that has me proclaiming this award hers to lose, as her emotional journey in 90 minutes packs more of a punch than any of the other fine actresses in the category. However, I imagine that either the starpower of Catherine Zeta-Jones, or the 11 o’clock powerhouse voice of Montego Glover might derail Sherie on the Atchison….
Who Should Win Rankings:
1) Sherie Rene Scott, Everyday Rapture
2) Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music
3) Montego Glover, Memphis
4) Kate Baldwin, Finian’s Rainbow
5) Christiane Noll, Ragtime
Who Will Win: Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music
OR Montego Glover, Memphis
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Kristin Chenoweth, Promises, Promises
