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| re: If you think the Tonys are all Moishe Kapoyr | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 02:16 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
| In reply to: re: If you think the Tonys are all Moishe Kapoyr - BroadwayTonyJ 10:08 am EDT 08/31/20 | |
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| Does McKechnie's book mention why Bennett was pushing so hard for LuPone and Williams to be up for Leading Actor in a Musical? It's been a while since I've seen ''A Chorus Line,'' but Zach doesn't even have his own song; Paul doesn't either, but he has his monologue. I'd never consider either role a Leading part. Was there another male performer that Bennett wanted to pitch for Featured Actor instead? |
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| re: If you think the Tonys are all Moishe Kapoyr | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 03:00 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
| In reply to: re: If you think the Tonys are all Moishe Kapoyr - WaymanWong 02:16 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
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| It's actually been about 14 years since I read Time Steps. I skimmed the chapter on A Chorus Line before posting so specifically about it here. She does not mention any other actor that Bennett was pushing. I would guess that if he had been successful in getting either LuPone or Williams deemed Lead, he would have dropped his lobbying for the other actor. My recollection is that Sammy Williams was heavily favored to win Best Featured for his touching portrayal of Paul. George Rose was apparently superb as Alfie Doolittle. IMO his performance on the revival cast album CD is certainly the most distinctive portrayal of that role I have ever heard. Had he been nominated as Featured, I would imagine he would have won. The previous year he had been nominated as Featured Actor in The Fat Friend, but complained that he should have been nominated as Lead. Perhaps the Tony people were trying to make up for an earlier mistake by nominating him for Lead in My Fair Lady. Alfie is the lead singer in 2 major numbers, but (I think) he only appears in 4 scenes. It's clearly a featured role. I haven't seen A Chorus Line since the '06 revival. I think Zach only sings as part of the ensemble in "One". It's an important role like that of Cassie, but it's not a lead. |
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| 1976 Tonys: Mako, Orbach and Rose | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 06:20 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 06:15 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
| In reply to: re: If you think the Tonys are all Moishe Kapoyr - BroadwayTonyJ 03:00 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
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| Actually, Rose was billed above the title in that ''My Fair Lady,'' alongside Ian Richardson, Christine Andreas and Robert Coote. Anyway, I once had the great honor of interviewing Mako for The Sondheim Review (Spring 1998), so I asked him about the 1976 Tonys. What did he think of his chances to win? Mako said: ''I had run into [newspaper columnist] Earl Wilson and he told me that he had inside information that I was going to win [for 'Pacific Overtures']. I said, 'Come on!' I didn't place that much emphasis on the outcome, except I was renting a floor from Jerry Orbach, who had a brownstone, and he was also nominated for Best Actor in a Musical [for 'Chicago']. I thought Jerry would win. I didn't care for myself. If I got it, I'd have to go up and give a speech. [George Rose] and Ian Richardson were also nominated for 'My Fair Lady,' but that was a revival, so I didn't think they stood a chance. But [George] won. Anyway, I got home late, about 2:30 in the morning. At about 4:30, I heard Jerry Orbach shouting from the floor below, 'Hey, Mako! What the f*ck happened? I can't believe it; we lost to a f*cking revival!' '' |
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| re: 1976 Tonys: Mako, Orbach and Rose | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 06:40 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
| In reply to: 1976 Tonys: Mako, Orbach and Rose - WaymanWong 06:15 pm EDT 08/31/20 | |
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| I assume Rose was billed above the title because he had a good agent, and by 1976, he had had such a truly illustrious career. He earned the right to have top billing. However, that doesn't make the role a leading one. The decision just makes the Tony Award look like a joke. Great story, BTW! |
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