Best Actor in a Play
This movie-star packed category includes four dynamic leading men, and Jude Law. While I don’t love Alfred Molina’s performance fully, it is a capable and dense take on Mark Rothko. Christopher Walken is a marvel as he manages to milk every moment in a pretty bad play, but makes it something that is wholly enjoyable, almost entirely on his own. Liev Schrieber and Denzel Washington both give absolutely incredible turns in two of the best roles of dramatic literature. This should be a two-man race, but I think Tony voters could be swayed by the pretentious critical darling, Red, and its star Molina. The real crime of this category though is the snub of Norbert Leo Butz in Enron who gave a world class performance with his take on Jeffrey Skilling, but was sadly overlooked.
Who Should Win Rankings:
1) Liev Schreiber, A View From The Bridge
2) Denzel Washington, Fences
3) Christopher Walken, A Behanding in Spokane
4) Alfred Molina, Red
5) Jude Law, Hamlet
Who Will Win: Denzel Washington, Fences
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Norbert Leo Butz, Enron
Leading Actress in a Play
Another wonderful category of performers, with four performances I adored, and Valerie Harper, who gives a performance that isn’t exactly Tony-nomination material, but is certainly a wonderful scenery-chewing delight. If any of the other four were to win, I would be very pleased. I’ll throw in a nod to Carrie Fisher as well, who gives a much more human take on campy scenery chewing for the fifth slot.
Who Should Win Rankings:
1) Linda Lavin, Collected Stories
2) Laura Linney, Time Stands Still
3) Viola Davis, Fences
4) Jan Maxwell, The Royal Family
5) Valerie Harper, Looped
Who Will Win: Viola Davis, Fences
Who Should Have Been Nominated: Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking
