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?

It's Tony Time

I think I've finally recovered from Oscar season burnout. So naturally I decided to do something crazy: get the entire Tony Awards "Contenders" section up and running!

But Sam, it's so early, you say? Some of the shows haven't even opened yet, you say? Sam put down the wine, you say? Well to hell with it (and no, I'll never put down the wine). I'm starting things off crazy early. And I've even made some foolish attempts at predictions. But please keep in mind the early stage of the game. These rankings will change quite a bit between now and April 28th. The contenders pages, as always, offer my view of the race as it looks right now. The four featured acting races have actually not been ranked since they still require a bit of work (and there is just too many variables regarding performances I haven't seen).

Aside: On April 28th the Tony nominations are being announced. AND the Supreme Court will hear same-sex marriage arguments. April 28th is shaping up to be the best day of the spring. Let's plan a celebration now. I'll being the wine. End of aside.

In other important news: Audra is coming. Broadway's Queen will return next spring in "Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed". The title is obviously much too long, but Audra McDonald is starring so it won't matter. George C. Wolfe will direct, with Savion Glover as choreographer. The show will chronicle the creation of the musical "Shuffle Along", which featured a rare all black cast.

See if my thoughts on this Broadway season line up with yours. Click through The Contenders and see how on point or crazy I am. Now get those cast albums in order and check back for frequent updates.

Your Complete Guide to the Oscars...Even the Shorts

Hello Oscar Watchers

We are just days away from the Academy Awards. Ballots are in and being counted. Potential winners are holding their breath until Sunday.

This is a final breakdown of my thoughts on the season. Every category is included, even those pesky shorts which throw off everyone's Oscar pools. I have pretended to be smart and insightful to those races, but as is the case every year: no one knows what the hell is going to happen with them.

On a personal note, last night I completed my work in a new play (performing to a sold out house!) called "Submission" with Rapidfire Bootleg Theatre. This was the reason I didn't have quite as many postings in February as I would have liked. Though the Contenders section stayed mostly updated, and you can click over there for final rankings and more in depth thoughts on each category. (And in a personal plug: if you wan to know more about "Submission" and the work your favorite blogger has been doing, head to: http://www.rapidfirebootleg.com/)

Without further ado: Who will, could, and should win this years Academy Awards.

BEST PICTURE
Will Win: "Birdman"
Could Win: "Boyhood"
Should Win: "Boyhood"

The most confounding Oscar duel in recent memory. Both "Birdman" and "Boyhood" have strong claims to the throne. There is a lot of sentiment in "Boyhood" and industry respect for its achievements...but will they award its director for that instead? The PGA is what is pushing "Birdman" out front for me. It won using the same preferential ballot the Oscars now use to determine Best Picture.

BEST DIRECTOR
Will Win: Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
Could Win: "Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, "Birdman"
Should Win: Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"

I'm definitely predicting a split for Picture/Director. With my luck it will probably go opposite the way I predicted it, which is the tricky part of predicting a split. If you are voting in an office pool or a friends Oscar party, you should put down the same film for Picture and Director in case you guess the opposite split. But I'm being silly and stubborn. I just can't see filmmakers looking at Richard Linklater's 12 years of dedication and not awarding him for it.

BEST ACTOR
Will Win: Eddie Redmayne, "Theory of Everything"
Could Win: Michael Keaton, "Birdman" (Bradley Cooper?)
Should Win: Michael Keaton, "Birdman"

The only acting race with any suspense. Redmayne has picked up the Globe, SAG, and BAFTA. That almost always spells Oscar. Keaton has Critics Choice and Globe (comedy) wins, and the film serves as a capstone to his career. He could eek out a win on sentiment. Bradley Cooper is a late entry wild card who threatens to upend the whole thing.

BEST ACTRESS
Will Win: Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
Could Win: One of the others could win best dressed?
Should Win: Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"

Ms. Moore finally gets her Oscar moment. Four other actresses get to rest easy and enjoy the evening knowing they aren't coming anywhere near the podium.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will Win: J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"
Could Win: Edward Norton...if J.K. Simmons wasn't nominated
Should Win: J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

This is as locked up as Best Actress is. Nothing to see here.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Will Win: Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"
Could Win: she's got this
Should Win: Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"

Arquette has won every supporting actress trophy under the sun. No reason to think she won't be on stage this Sunday.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Will Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Could Win: "Birdman"
Should Win: "Nightcrawler"

Seems like an easy place to reward "Grand Budapest" in a major category. But if "Birdman" is indeed loved enough to win Best Picture, they may check it off here as well.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Will Win: "Whiplash"
Could Win: "The Imitation Game" or "Theory of Everything"
Should Win: "Whiplash"

Anything could win this one (except "Inherent Vice"). They may even choose this as a place to reward "American Sniper". Put the four films on the wall and throw a dart, and you'll know just as much about this category as anybody.

BEST FILM EDITING
Will Win: "Boyhood"
Could Win: "Whiplash"
Should Win: "Whiplash"

"Boyhood" seems like the clear winner here, but "Whiplash" gave everyone pause when it took the BAFTA. Both have passionate fanbases and very different styles of editing. In the end Sandra Adair's monumental 12 year task puts "Boyhood" in the lead.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Will Win: "Birdman"
Could Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Should Win: "Birdman"

"Birdman" has one guaranteed win of the night here. Lubezki will win his second consecutive Oscar for his dizzying long shots.

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Will Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Could Win: "The Imitation Game"
Should Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Production design is a key element of any Wes Anderson film and the iconic pink and purple motif should score an easy win. "The Imitation Game" has potential for an upset with similar period decorations as "Lincoln" did, but I don't think team "Budapest" needs to worry.

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Will Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Could Win: "Guardians of the Galaxy"
Should Win: "Guardians of the Galaxy"

The race is always close in a three-nominee category. But I see no reason why the voters won't stop "Grand Budapest's" domination of the crafts categories stop here. The intricate body makeup of "Guardians of the Galaxy" does provide an opportunity to reward a popular film, so a surprise here is certainly possible.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Will Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Could Win: "Into the Woods"
Should Win: "Into the Woods"

"Into the Woods" has under-performed in this category all season long, in what should have been a locked in win for beloved designer Colleen Atwood. So, the stylized garb from "Grand Budapest" steals the gold.

BEST SCORE
Will Win: "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Could Win: "The Theory of Everything"
Should Win: "Birdman" (stupidly deemed ineligible)

I'm less confident about "Grand Budapest" here. Johann Johannsson's sweeping score to "Theory of Everything" has won over a great many viewers. But, it seems time for veteran composer Alexandre Desplat to finally win an Oscar, and he's contributed a score to the presumed tech/craft juggernaut of the awards season.

BEST SONG
Will Win: 'Glory' from "Selma"
Could Win: 'I'm Not Gonna Miss You' from "Glenn Campbell: I'll Be Me"
Should Win: 'Everything is Awesome' from "The LEGO Movie"

Common and John Legend have been pushing "Glory" hard. And in a year without a mega hit like "Let it Go" or "Skyfall", it allows the Academy to say "see, we gave 'Selma' something!". Though the opportunity to award the Alzheimer afflicted Glenn Campbell a final trophy could give him the sentiment vote.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Will Win: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"
Could Win: "Interstellar"
Should Win: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"

"Interstellar" would appear to have more support given its multiple nominations tally. But it has proven to be a divisive film. And the team on "Apes" has taken home multiple guild awards and pushed the boundaries of visual effects.

BEST SOUND EDITING
Will Win: "American Sniper"
Could Win: "Birdman"
Should Win: "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies"

Most voters have no idea what good sound design entails, so usually the loudest film wins. War films do very well, and they will want to give the highest grossing best picture nominee something. It should be an easy get for "American Sniper".

BEST SOUND MIXING
Will Win: "Whiplash"
Could Win: "American Sniper" or "Birdman"
Should Win: "Whiplash"

Those who don't know the difference between editing and mixing might be tempted to check off "American Sniper" for both categories. But they have the opportunity to vote for "Whiplash" in this one, and there is more passionate support for that movie in the Academy. And the drums are, you know, loud.

BEST FOREIGN FILM
Will Win: "Ida"
Could Win: "Wild Tales"
Should Win: "Ida"

"Ida" has a cinematography nomination, and many voters probably saw this on Netflix before they even received screeners. It has a powerful story and wide enough reach to take home the trophy. But, if voters aren't in the mood for a depressing film about the Holocaust, the stylish and fun "Wild Tales" will pick up their vote.

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Will Win: "How to Train Your Dragon 2"
Could Win: "Big Hero 6"
Should Win: "The LEGO Movie" (not nominated for reasons beyond comprehension)

Animation professionals might vote for the hand drawn "The Tale of Princess Kaguya", but "How to Train Your Dragon 2" looks gorgeous and works on basically every level. Unless voters simply check off the Disney title, "Dragon" should repeat its Globe win this Sunday.

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Will Win: "CitizenFour"
Could Win: "Virunga"
Should Win: "Finding Vivian Maier"

"Citizenfour" has been picking up basically every documentary prize. I don't think the heart wrenching tale of the mountain gorillas in "Virguna" can surpass it, as hard as Netflix has been campaigning.

BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT
Will Win: "The Phone Call"
Could Win: "Boogaloo and Graham" or "Parvaneh"
Should Win: "The Phone Call"

"The Phone Call" features Academy award nominee Sally Hawkins as a crisis hotline operator who tries to talk a widower (Jim Broadbent) out of committing suicide. She gives a powerful performance that anchors the film. Its competitor is the upbeat and ridiculous "Boogaloo and Graham" about two young brothers whose chickens face euthanasia amidst a war in Ireland...hard to describe, just watch it. The adorable film will stand out for its upbeat tempo, but will it be enough to overcome the emotional gut punch of "The Phone Call"?

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Will Win: "Johanna"
Could Win: "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1"
Should Win: "Our Curse"

A tough race to call between a worthy crop of nominees. "Johanna" follows a dying Polish women trying to pass on wisdom to her 5 year old son in her last months before she dies. "Crisis Hotline" follows a crisis phone room where responders attempt to talk down suicidal veterans. I expect the vote will be very close. "Crisis Hotline" feels more important, and successful suicide interventions stir powerful emotions. But the story of Joanna is so deeply personal, and her strength in facing death leaves too deep an impact to ignore.

BEST ANIMATED SHORT
Will Win: "Feast"
Could Win: "The Dam Keeper"
Should Win: "The Dam Keeper"

"Feast" has the Disney touch and played before "Big Hero 6", so it will be the most widely seen nominee. "The Dam Keeper" features gorgeous animation and a poignant (though dark) story of a bullied pig who runs a windmill that protects his anthropomorphic town from pollution. Its probably the better film than the cutesy Disney fare, but with the entire Academy now voting on the short categories, Disney has the edge.

"Surveying the Field" Oscar Edition: Best Original Screenplay

The nominations for the two screenplay categories can be tough to predict correctly. Unlike most other top categories, where we can look to the coming guild nominations as a guide, the Writer's Guild often leaves us flying blind. Many eligibility rules of the WGA run contradictory to the Oscars and always leaves several contenders out of the running. So, without any help from precursor nominations, lets look at the contenders for Best Original Screenplay.

The race for Original Screenplay appears to be the most competitive its been in years. The scripts which I will say are safe for nominations are "Boyhood" and "Birdman". The twelve year process for Richard Linklater's coming of age drama will allow it to find tons of support here. It's a compelling narrative and a solo undertaking. If we look at screenplay winners from year's past, nominees with a single writer tend to have a leg up over efforts with multiple scribes.

That being said, "Birdman" will assuredly find a nomination here even with it's team of four writers. The script is an enormous aide in the overall dreamlike, surreal quality of the film. And voters in the branch worshipping well crafted wordplay will likely be drawn to the way the symbolic dialogue threads the many themes of the story together from scene to scene.

The other two which I feel relatively confident about, but not enough to call them locks are "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Whiplash". Wes Anderson isn't always able to find broad Academy appeal for his quirky films, but he has absolutely won over the writer's branch. Even films that weren't major Oscar players have found success in this category. Anderson has a singular voice and they dig it. "Whiplash" has proven to have staying power even if it hasn't lit up the box office. And the writer/director Damien Chazelle has worked his way into the conversation in for both Original Screenplay and Director. He's new to the Oscar game, but could become a new favorite face with this thrillingly paced story.

What gets the last slot? As of right now, I'm tempted to say the love being poured onto Selma will pull it along into several top categories, including this one. But writers Ava DuVernay and Paul Webb have lots of people nipping at their heels. Past nominees Mike Leigh and J.C. Chandor have projects that could make a splash. But, the Academy might think of "Mr. Turner" as merely a showcase for great design. "A Most Violent Year" needs to get past the dark and brooding vibe it gives off to attain some passionate fans.

Beyond that are all films that will need to find a larger well of support. "Foxcatcher" could come off as too cold and unflinching. "Interstellar" wins points for originality of concept, but will also fly over man voter's heads. "Dear White People" would be a wonderful choice, but this is the only race it has a decent chance at, and the campaign isn't as strong as other films in its way.  "The LEGO Movie" is certainly going after a nomination here like gangbusters, but they are an animated film that wasn't made by Pixar. Unfortunately, that's tough prejudice to overcome.

Disagree with what I've said? Do you think perhaps something like "Annabelle" has this one locked down instead? Let me know in the comments, and head over to The Contenders to check out my rankings for Best Original Screenplay and other categories.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Before I jet off to escape the polar vortex fast approaching New York (Vegas baby!), I decided I'd launch a second portion of the site. It is Oscar season after all! I know I'm a theatre guy at heart, and I don't live in LA, and as opposed to my Tony coverage there are many more people talking about movies. But screw it, I love the Oscars too! Especially in a year with a Julianne Moore performance.

You'll notice a second "Contenders" section has been added to the site. Behold my personal rankings of where the Oscar races stand. I will obviously be adding more as soon as possible. Or as soon as my dual rehearsal schedules will allow (I'm a working actor for once twice!). I will update the lists with my current thoughts on how the races are shifting. So come back often to stay on top of things. Hopefully I can help you win your Oscar pool in February!

It's an unusual awards season in that no clear front-runner has yet emerged to dominate the conversation. "Boyhood" seems to be leading the pack with sheer originality. But, with its low budget and limited below-the-line appeal, something could easily come along and knock it off its pedestal. "American Sniper" and "Selma" just roared onto the scene last night at the AFI fest. They are already making me reconsider my best picture lineup. It also cements David Oyelowo and Bradley Cooper as serious Best Actor threats in an already over-crowded field.

Could it help Bradley Cooper that he's getting some acting "street cred" by performing to over capacity houses on Broadway with The Elephant Man?  Another Oscar hopeful, Emma Stone, is also on the boards as Sally Bowles. See LA people? Sometimes New York is the place to be. Where else can you see an actor in American Sniper during the day and The Elephant Man at night? (In related new: if anyone has a ticket to said Elephant Man, I'm right over here. And I'm not above begging. Or cleaning apartments. #helpmeimpoor).

So peruse my rankings. Tell me how right or wrong I am. I'm heading out  west before the sub-zero temperatures hit (hmm maybe those LA people are onto something) and my workload makes me delirious. I hope you'll follow along with my Oscar season adventure. I have lots of opinions to share, and we can all discuss the one question that'll be on everyone's mind til February: What the hell happened at the end of "Birdman"?

New Season

Hello World!

I've taken quite a break from writing here. But now that changes. After last years' foray into the awards season I've done some travelling, a whole lot of work, and a deal of performing myself.  I have also begun to lend my voice to theatre reviews at smashcutreviews.com.  I do my best to see and write about as much as possible...but being a non-union actor with a survival job at a non-profit theatre company often limits the spending (and time) I can give. My expenses generally shake out in the following priorities: 1.) Rent 2.) Wine 3.) Seamless 4.) Theatre 5.) scraping together what's leftover towards new headshots and/or acting classes...and also seeing movies.

The new Broadway season began with Holler if ya Hear Me...well at least technically. The rap musical failed to make much of a dent on Broadway. But the fall has brought us a slew of shows to take in. It might actually be too many.  I don't know about you, but there are just more plays on Broadway than this theatre nerd has time to see. I've done a decent job so far; taking in This Is Our Youth, Love Letters, and The Real Thing. And I have tickets to A Delicate Balance in a few weeks (if you see me at the stage door, just get the eff out of my way. I love Glenn Close more than you do). But I have yet to take in You Can't Take it With You, Disgraced, Curious Incident, or It's Only a Play.

It speaks to the curious development over the past few years, where some of the most worthy straight plays of the season are now debuting in the fall. It used to be that shows in the fall, with only a few exceptions, failed to make much of an impact. They certainly didn't compete for Tonys. But success stories of early bowing productions like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Glass Menagerie have changed the game. Whereas producers used to backload the season with their would-be Tony players in the spring, you can now see definite Tony contenders in October. Though it's hard to keep up with, I'll take this incessant assault of (mostly quite good) straight plays over a barren fall season anyday.

And since most of the current season has been announced at this point, I'm introducing a new feature to the blog: The Contenders pages. On the right side of the site you'll see several links where I have laid out all the currently known contenders for a given category. These will be edited and updated as we learn more about the season, and I will hopefully expand them to include each Tony category very soon. And Mary, before you get up in my face about "But Im oh so sure what's-her-face will be considered featured for this show"; I'm using the best information I have at this given moment to compile the lists. No category placement is technically official til the Tony committee's decision. I'm sure we all know someone "in the know", but I'm just a theatre gay doing the best he can.

Anywhoo, I'm Back! And ready to give you lots of opinions about what's going on with Broadway.
I will leave you with a LEGO recreation of the original staging for Fiddler on the Roof...which I can't stop watching. Danny Burstein: Take a good look at your costume for next season.