Going for 2012 Tony Gold! Handicapping the Race for Best Featured Actress in a Play
It’s almost Tony time, and let's face it: We’re obsessed! In anticipation of the 2012 Tony nominations, which will be announced on May 1, the Broadway.com editorial staff clocked 12 of the top races. Take a look at our forecast, including frontrunners, hopefuls and a “shout out” to one performer or show we hope the Tony nominators won’t forget. Below, our cheat sheet on the race for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
FRONTRUNNERS
Linda Emond, Death of a Salesman
Playing exhausted wife Linda Loman, Emond displays both tenderness and strength as her suicidal husband, Willy, falls apart. Tony nominators gravitate to this role, which further improves Emond's chances.
Celia Keenan-Bolger, Peter and the Starcatcher
As adventure-seeking Molly, Keenan-Bolger stands her ground alongside Peter's all-male ensemble while maintaining a sweet innocence, which should lead to her second Tony nod.
Judith Light, Other Desert Cities
Light shows off both her comic and dramatic sides as the Wyeth clan’s acerbic alcoholic Aunt Silda, stirring the familial pot at every turn. Her interplay with Stockard Channing, in particular, is unforgettable.
IN THE MIX
Spencer Kayden, Don't Dress for Dinner
Hamming things up as a meek chef turned con artist, Kayden steals the show with sight gags and tango skills.
Christina Kirk, Clybounre Park
With dual roles as a flighty housewife and realtor, Kirk injects Clybourne with dark humor from the start.
Angela Lansbury, The Best Man
A five-time winner, Lansbury earns some of The Best Man's best laughs as the chattering Mrs. Gamadge.
Daphne Rubin-Vega, A Streetcar Named Desire
The two-time nominee brings a charged sex appeal to Stella not seen in previous productions of Streetcar.
Marlo Thomas, Relatively Speaking
The show wasn't a hit, but Thomas' ditzy blonde was the undeniable highlight of Speaking's three short comedies.
Also possible: Sierra Boggess (Master Class), Margaret Colin (The Columnist), Crystal A. Dickinson (Clybourne Park), Kate Jennings Grant (The Lyons), Carla Gugino (The Road to Mecca), Deirdre O’Connell (Magic/Bird), Annie Parisse (Clybourne Park), Lily Rabe (Seminar).
BROADWAY.COM SHOUT OUT
Condola Rashad, Stick Fly
In a fabulous Broadway debut, Rashad emerged as the stand-out in this ensemble play thanks to her hilarious and heartbreaking turn as a self-centered family's straight-talking teen housekeeper. Remember her, Tony nominators!