PARADISE SQUARE got so many nominations not because it's good but because the other original musicals this year are that bad. Hell, even Lynn Nottage got nominated for the book of MJ, cause SIX doesn't really have a book worth mentioning, MRS DOUBTFIRE is shit and FLYING OVER SUNSET's libretto is stunningly undramatic.
I am surprised that Johanna Day wasn't nominated. I thought that was a sure thing. But everyone who did get nominated has bigger, more substantial parts. Not Day's fault.
As for Austin Pendleton, the earlier comment by a poster about how Pendleton gets forgotten after the first 30 minutes is right. Again, the part isn't substantial enough, though I'd have nominated him many times over Michael Oberholzer, who's been directed to play that part like a DELIVERANCE reject.
What is clear, and I hope producers take notice, is that if you cast a supposed name in a lead role in a well-known musical and she can't sing the part, she might very well get snubbed. Lenk was simply miscast. Beanie got what she deserved: nada. As expected, FUNNY GIRL was a lot of talk (including on DL) without much substance.
I don't know why some categories have six people. That is weird, and unnecessary. The season didn't warrant that.
A STRANGE LOOP has this one in the bag. SIX is a concert, PARADISE SQUARE is muddled and overlong, MR SATURDAY NIGHT is a play with unnecessary songs, and MJ is about a child predator, and not one who gets his just end like Uncle Peck does in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. The spoiler could be GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Hmm... But that show seems to have zero momentum. Mare Winningham would get my vote.
In the play category, CLYDE'S doesn't really deserve to be in that group, but it's not awful, and the other nominees are all good, sometimes very good, but not great. I'm guessing THE LEHMAN TRILOGY will take it despite having a rather weak third part.
Nominations I'm delighted about: Ruth Negga is easily the highlight of MACBETH, Rachel Dratch is pricelessly funny in POTUS, Deirdre O'Connell was riveting in DANA H, and Chuck Cooper and LaChanze both broke my heart in TROUBLE IN MIND. And two friends got nominated as well, talented men who've been plugging along for years, and I'm thrilled for them both.
