Hey, Tonys: Don't Forget Them! Contenders Who Need Love

The Tony Nominating committee will soon be meeting to decide the nominees for the 2015 Tony Awards. This group of about 40 theatre professionals are required to see every Broadway show in the 2014-2015 season. This factor ensures a fairly equal playing field, but the nominators can still fall victim to short term memory voting (STMV for short, a deadly disease).

Many worthy performers fall victim to the effects of STMV when a show opens early in the season or closes prematurely. To help refresh the nominators memories, here is a list of who should be remembered come Tony time, even if their shows or buzz have disappeared.

Best Lead Actor in a Musical
Rob McClure, Honeymoon in Vegas

Honeymoon in Vegas was great fun and Rob McClure anchored the whole shebang. From the moment he entered singing "I Love Betsy", I was totally on board with everything the show had to offer. He has a wonderful voice and knows how to sell the endearing yet awkward role. It was quite simply one of the best musical performances this year, and if he misses out on a nomination it will be a crime.

Best Lead Actress in a Musical
Rachel Tucker, The Last Ship

This category features several Broadway divas who dominate their respective musicals. Ms. Tucker may not have been the dominant star of The Last Ship, but boy did she eat up every scene she was given. A refreshingly nuanced portrayal of a woman digging into her painful past and reconciling it with her new life. It also helps that she has impeccable vocal precision on songs like "If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor"...which may or may not be on constant rotation on my Spotify.

Best Lead Actor in a Play
Jake Gyllenhaal, Constellations

As with the recent Oscar season, Jake finds himself on the bubble for a Tony nomination. The Oscars failed to recognize him for Nightcrawler, and it would be a real shame for the Tonys to shun him for his beautiful work in Constellations. Never leaving the stage, he and co-star Ruth Wilson took us on a detailed journey of two people, and all the possible paths their lives could take. Watching the actor hurl himself through different emotional states in the blink of an eye was mesmerizing. With his Broadway debut, he proved to be a more than capable stage actor.

Best Lead Actress in a Play 
Glenn Close and Lindsay Duncan, A Delicate Balance

Who would have thought I would need to remind nominators of these two titans? But it seems I do. Both women compete against each other for votes in a crowded Best Actress field. They each tackle one of Albee's most dense plays in brilliantly different manners. As the alcoholic hanger-on Claire, stage veteran Duncan steals every scene she's in with wild physicality. She also proves an excellent marksman as she hurls Mr. Albee's signature barbs at her landlord sister and brother-in-law. Agnes on the other hand is performed by Glenn Close with a restraint rarely seen from the actress. It's ever more impressive in the plays final act when we realize every glance and gesture has been a well placed maneuver to bend the house to her will.

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Alysha Umphress, On the Town

Hildy's signature song "I Can Cook Too" has been interpreted by many a great theatre artist, but you've never seen it performed like this. Umphress showcases her powerhouse vocals, creating a glorious wall of sound. And when she launches into a riff/scat freestyle, I lost control and literally shouted out "Yaasss! SING" ...Yeah, I was that guy. And I'm not sorry because this lady took me to church and my body could not contain the euphoria. She needs a nomination. It's not up for discussion.

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Fred Applegate, The Last Ship

The Last Ship may not have been a perfect musical, but Fred Applegate's performance of the title song will haunt me forever. The actor is well known for comedic shows like The Producers, but here he served as the beating heart of Sting's emotional score. The bellowing voice and delicate care he brought to Father O'Brien may be his best work thus far. The Featured Actor category is extremely crowded, but room must be made for this marvelous performance.

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Annaleigh Ashford, You Can't Take it With You

The revival of You Can't Take it With You was an unexpected highlight of the season. Every single performer knocked it out of the park. I could have chosen to single out Kristine Nielsen or Julie Halston, both of whom also deserve nods. But it was Annaleigh Ashford who had me roaring in my seat without having to say a word. Her hysterically bad interpretive ballet dancing, and clumsy attempts at graceful fealty to the house-guests are still replaying in my mind. She Could Have Danced All Night...and I wouldn't have minded.

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Micah Stock, It's Only a Play

It's Only a Play became a smash hit this fall due to the plethora of huge names above the title. But as coat check guy Gus, it's unknown Micah Stock in his Broadway debut who makes the biggest splash. The setup is familiar, he is tasked with attending to the big stars' fine coats, but hopes they'll recognize his acting talent. But Stock's hilarious deadpan and genuine innocence provides the show with some of its best moments. The advertising of this show touted the number of Tony, Oscar, and Emmy nominations and/or wins its stars have received. It's time for Stock to get a nomination of his own.

Who do you hope gets remembered with a Tony nomination?