The 2019 Tony Awards nominations are announced Tuesday, April 30 beginning at 8:30 AM (you can watch them streamed on the Tony Awards Facebook page). After OCC and Drama Desk nominations, some performances appear to lead the pack while others are up for intense debate.
Below, BroadwayBox highlights six performances which have not been nominated for OCC or Drama Desks but (IMHO) 100% deserve some Tony love.
Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice)
A Tony nominee for School of Rock, Alex Brightman is everything you’d want to see as the title character in the Broadway musical version of Beetlejuice. He’s crass and dangerous but charming and hilarious. He’s juggles his duel job as the musical’s narrator and its villain with ease. He creates a character you’d want to spend eternity with. Not to mention, he still manages to shred some faces with his huge voice.
Eva Noblezada (Hadestown)
Speaking of very big singing, Eva Noblezada is singing for the old gods and the new in Hadestown. A Tony nominee for her debut in Miss Saigon, Eva shows us an entirely new side of herself as Eurydice. She grounds the show in truth. She exudes joy in those opening numbers; she sells the love story; and her character’s desperation to survive keeps you on the edge of your seat in Act II. She’s the heart of Hadestown.
Laura Donnelly (The Ferryman)
The role of Caitlin Carney was written for Laura Donnelly by her partner, Jez Butterworth, and she deservedly won a 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actress. Watching Laura inhabit Caitlin was one of those rare instances you knew you were watching something you’d always remember seeing. To think how in a three-hour span, she went from her flirty and fun opening scene to that crazy (surprising!) ending. By the end, she made you believe that she hadn’t slept in days and that her world was ending. It was magnificent.
Robin de Jesús (The Boys in the Band)
Let’s think back to last summer when two-time Tony nominee Robin de Jesús was basically Charity Hope Valentine leading the band over at the first Broadway revival of the seminal gay drama The Boys in the Band. Not only did he give you all the kiki, fan-clacking comedy you’ve come to expect from Robin, but he stole the show with his heartbreaking phone call to his childhood love. He delivered the full arc of Emory. Thank goodness his performance will be preserved for Netflix.
Ethan Hawke (True West)
Oscar and Tony nominee Ethan Hawke was nothing short of electrifying starring as Lee in the RTC revival of Sam Shepard’s True West. Everything about his performance felt unexpected. He was menacing and wild, and absolutely captivating.
Annette Bening (All My Sons)
Oscar nominee Annette Bening hasn’t been on Broadway since her Tony-nominated debut in 1987, and her return in RTC’s All My Sons is worth the wait. Her Kate Keller is a raw bundle of nerves. At any point in play, you can look at Annette and know that she’s making the most interesting choices on stage, most of the time listening in silence. Then when she turns on the charm in Act II for George, you see another side of this performance and this very real character created by one of the most gifted actresses of her time.
CREATIVE BONUS
For shame people! How has not a single choreography category included The Prom choreographer, Casey Nicholaw?!? Not since Footloose has a prom moved with more power and skill. That young ensemble dancing “Tonight Belongs to You” is joyful and jaw-dropping, and Casey should be recognized for that number and the finale alone.
