The Tony nominators have had the discretion to bump performers up or down in a category, regardless of their billing.
Stritch, of course, was nominated for Leading Actress in ''Company'' (though I consider Joanne a Featured role).
And in 1995, the Drama Desk nominated Stritch in ''Show Boat'' for Leading Actress in a Musical.
After she wasn't Tony-nominated, she said: ''I don't want to win a Tony for Support at my age. When I have billing on the same line as [John McMartin as] Cap'n Andy, I wanted to be nominated for Leading Lady. I don't give a [bleep] how many lines I have or how many songs I have. I don't want to be up for Support. Not that I have anything supporting players - the name itself is my idea of theater - but very much like 'Company,' everybody in 'Show Boat' is an ensemble player. There is no star in 'Show Boat.' ''
[For the record, McMartin WAS nominated for Leading Actor in a Musical in ''Show Boat.''] |
