I'm always fascinated by the arbitrary decisions that go into awards-show machinations. The Grammys often demonstrate the most entertaining pretzel logic, as they did last week with the Jonas Brothers' nomination for Best New Artist on the strength of their third full-length, or by lumping Kid Rock, Ne-Yo and James Taylor together in the "Pop Performance, Male" category. Hoops, consider yourselves jumped through.
Last week the Tony Awards admin committee decided that the three young actors who rotate in the title role of Billy Elliot would be eligible for a joint nomination as leading actor in a musical. The Times's Patrick Healy notes that the Tonys spokesperson cited precedent for joint nominations: In 1998, Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley received a joint Leading Actress nomination for playing the conjoined twins in Side Show (they lost to Cabaret's Natasha Richardson). That I remember. Even more amusing is this tidbit: "…all of the children in the 1960 production of The Sound of Music were nominated for featured actress in a play (even though some of the children were boys)."
I don't know the last time The Sound of Music was produced in Chicago, but Side Show has been here twice in the last decade. At the 2000 Equity Jeff Awards, Kristen Behrendt and Susie McMonagle were nominated separately for their roles as the Hilton twins in Northlight's Chicago premiere; they lost to E. Faye Butler for Dinah Was at the same theater. And in 2007, Vanessa Panerosa and Andrea Prestinario were nominated separately at the Non-Equity ceremony for Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's revival (which I reviewed here); because the Non-Eq rules at the time allowed for multiple winners, they both got the award.
While we're on the subject of awards shows, A Red Orchid Theatre is throwing an Oscars party this Sunday to celebrate ensemble member Michael Shannon's nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Revolutionary Road. The 7pm performance of The Unseen will be moved up to 3pm, and followed at 6pm by a viewing party with food, beer and wine. Admission to the Oscar party alone is $15, or see the matinee and stay for the awards for $30 total. Make reservations at 312-943-8722.
i heart michael shannon's performance...in that really boring movie.
Posted by: owens | February 16, 2009 at 11:33 PM
um...also...jonas brothers in 3D? there are a lot of things that could be said here...i'm going to save them for the next time i see you. 3D?
Posted by: owens | February 17, 2009 at 06:57 AM