I haven't seen or heard anything from the contenders this year, so I'm not really pleased/displeased either way. But man, best musical must have been slim pickings this year. Obviously either "Passing Strange" or "In the Heights" is going to win (unless there's going to be a huge upset) and a I have a feeling Patti LuPone is going to win this year, since I've heard practically everywhere that she's amazing.

I wonder if the fact that he won so recently worked against him?

Xanadu got very good reviews too, but agreed. Revival was stronger. I'm thinking Patti will take it too.

And I dont know about Butz. Because its never hurt Brian F. O'Byrne.

The nomination for Grease hurts my soul. It is SO BAD, you guys. I could understand one or two individual performance noms at most because a couple of the cast actually managed to shine despite the horrible, horrible... everything else. But the whole show?! Damn.

I am very excited for all of the Xanadu and In The Heights noms. Those are two very different, very strong shows. (Well okay, I'm basing my In The Heights love on when I saw it off-Bway, but I heard that despite all of the changes before it went to Broadway it's still amazing.) I only wish Cheyenne Jackson had gotten a nomination for Xanadu because he really stepped up and did an incredible job when the original lead got injured.

Also the Boeing-Boeing nominations were spot on. Mary McCormack stole that play hands down. I didn't know she had it in her but she was really just unbelievable.

I was also surprised Ian McShane didnt get a nomination. Or James Earl Jones because a lot of people were predicting that he was going to WIN featured actor.

I haven't been this excited for Tony Nom day in years! Ian McShane was robbed because he was phenomenal in The Homecoming, but GO RAUL! (You knew that was coming, right?) I'm so happy that I've been making an effort to see more shows this year, since everything that I've seen has been nominated for something. I am pulling like mad for Sunday in the Park to win best revival, even over South Pacific, because I loved it so completely and it's such an incredibly innovative revival.

In topic-related (and Raul-related) news, next week at this time, I will be sitting in Avery Fisher Hall listening Raul and Kristin Chenoweth! I can't even tell you how excited I am that Raul is going to sing "Soliloquy" from Carousel, because it's probably my most favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein show and piece of all time.

Kristen and Raul? Lucky!

I am pulling for Raul, but I'm kinda not, because if he doesnt win, I get the feeling his reaction will be hella entertaining.

Aw, I'm pulling for Raul mostly because I actually SAW the Homecoming and I'm shallow enough to want him to win for something I got to experience firsthand.

Plus, he's pretty...

Did anyone watch Camelot on PBS last week? I love Gabriel Byrne, and I thought he was quite charming as Arthur but he seemed way out of his element. Or quite toasted, I really couldn't figure out which. The staging was ok, if not a little odd. I did love the interpretation of Mordred though!

Oh I normally would be too, but I found his shitfit last year crazy entertaining. If he doesnt win this year, maybe he'll grab the wife/beard and march out while the cameras are rolling.

I was also stunned at the lack of Kevin Kline in the noms. Wasnt his performance in Cyrano raved about? Particularly since it followed his surprisingly not great performance in King Lear? Weird.

And I saw Camelot. I liked GB a lot, even though he couldnt sing. Whatevs, Gabriel, unless the other dude is Christian Bale and hes Laurie, I would never pick anyone over you in a triangle.

Edit. ugh, I can't believe I mixed up Kevin Kline with a random Bway dude.

Camelot was hard because Gabriel Byrne's Arthur was so disarming and sweet, but he seemed to have no self esteem whatsoever and by halfway through the first act, he gave up even trying to hit the notes in the songs. (Although I did love his "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight" because he's supposed to be freaking out.) Nathan Gunn was smoking hot as Lancelot though. Where has this guy been?

Was it just me or did Mordred look like Daniel Radcliffe as an extra in Taboo?

I haaaated Gabriel Byrne. He just seemed nervous and awkward to me, and not in a character decision way, but in a afraid he might forget his lines way. Nathan Gunn was way hot though. He was on the Colbert Report the other night, too. Suddenly I find myself a lot more interested in opera.

I also loved Mordred, and was very impressed with his running around in those gigantic heels.

Also, did Marin Mazzie have some bad plastic surgery? Her mouth has always been big, but now it's like 60% of her head, which to me screams botched face lift.

Yeah Nathan Gunn is a hottie.

Marin looked a little...botoxed.

AND HE COULD NOT SING. At all. I was so disappointed. "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight" is one of my favorite songs, and right off the bat I couldn't handle it. So he does that rapping stuff for the entire thing? I still have it on the DVR, but I haven't gotten past the second song yet.

Really I just want it to be Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. Why do people have to get old and die and stuff?

Also: Fran Drescher? You've got to be kidding me.

At least Marin Mazzie can sing. After that first song, I wasn't going to be picky. In fact, if Fran Drescher can carry a tune, I will be cool with her too.

/is sad.

Fran Drescher doesn't so much sing sing, but she's surprisingly inoffensive. Or maybe I was blinded by Hot Goth Mordred.