I don't know whether Raul Julia was thought to be a lock, but I was a bit surprised when Harney was announced. I was not a fan of the show Nine but I admired the performances, Julia and Montevecchi most of all. Julia certainly carried that show. I didn't see Dreamgirls till later. Harney was excellent, but the role is not the lead in the way that Guido Contini is. At the time I saw Nine, I thought no one could act the role better than Julia, even if his singing left a bit to be desired. But it was hardly unbearable (perhaps it was for some), and his acting seemed all that could possibly have been hoped for.
Re the Morris and Montevecchi discussion: I was impressed by Morris, but to me Montevecchi was a show in herself. I would not have argued with Morris winning, but at least in 1982 I probably would have voted for Montevecchi had I been a voter. |
