Broadway Babes! (The Nominee Luncheon)

On Tuesday, the nominees for the 2007 Tony Awards were announced. For me, there were not a lot of surprises in the nominations. Most everyone and everything that got a nod had been expected to receive one.

The biggest upsets this year were Kristen Chenoweth and Lea Michele both missing nominations for Best Actress in a Musical. Kristen starred in RoundaboutTheater's "The Apple Tree", and while the show itself was on the verge of painful, she was outstanding. Her performance was critically acclaimed, thus making it a surprise that she missed out this season. Lea Michele is the young female ingenue starring in "Spring Awakening". While two of her co-stars did deservedly get nominations, she was snubbed. It was surprising because I felt she was the strongest person on that stage. What isn't surprising about that category however is all the other women who did get nominations: newcomer Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde), and legends Audra McDonald (110 In the Shade), Donna Murphy (LoveMusik), Debra Monk (Curtains), and Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens). This season was all about the leading ladies. And while there are people that deserved to be nominated, there can only be five.

This morning, the press had the opportunity to do lunch with all of the nominees. Here are some pictures of my Top 5 favorite male and female nominees!

First, of course, is the ladies.

#5 - Xanthe Elbrick (Best Featured Actress in a Play)

Nominated for her work in "Coram Boy", Xanthe has received rave reviews both here on Broadway and across the pond in it's initial West End run. In the first act of the show she plays a young boy. Friends of mine who have already seen the production said that they were amazed when they looked over their playbills at intermission. Apparently this actress is so good that they were fooled into thinking that she really was a boy!

Luckily for Xanthe, she's not all that masculine in real life. She is very well put-together (in a very British sort of way) with perfect skin and a great smile. I can't wait to see "Coram Boy" and see for myself what everyone is talking about!

#4 - Angela Lansbury (Best Actress in a Play)

A few weeks ago I went and saw "The Drowsy Chaperone". After the show, I was walking up the street, past where "Deuce" is playing, and walked straight into Ms. Lansbury. It was a little bit surreal! I couldn't help but think - "Oh my god! It's Jessica Fletcher!"

Yes, she is older than dirt. But one can only dream of having the kind of career that she has been able to maintain over the last 150 years. And I must say, for such a very old wonderful woman, she still looks pretty great!

#3 - Julie White (Best Actress in a Play)

I don't know how many people are very familiar with Julie White. She's one of those Broadway actresses that we've seen here and there in TV and Film roles. She's never really done anything that stands out all that much or been the center of attention. To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about her.

A few months ago I was watching NY1's Breakfast with the Arts, and they had Julie, Swoosie Kurtz, and a couple other women on the show talking about the Broadway season. During the interview, they showed a few clips from her show "The Little Dog Laughed". From what I saw in those few short moments in her sharp wit and light-hearted charm, I became a big fan.

#2 - Audra McDonald (Best Actress in a Musical)

Everyone knows who Audra is. Or I suppose I should rephrase that...

Anyone who follows Broadway even just a little bit knows who Audra is! This is her sixth Tony nomination, and has already won four times for her roles in "Raisin in the Sun", "Ragtime", "Master Class", and "Carousel". I think she is one of the most elegant women I have ever seen. She is well-spoken, naturally beautiful, and MY GOD can she SING!

This Tony Nomination is for her work in RoundaboutTheater's "110 In The Shade", and is a little bitter-sweet for her having just lost her biggest fan: her father. Papa McDonald was in a plane crash a few weeks ago, and Audra took a few days away from the show to be with her family. And then she came right back to her home - The Stage!

I haven't seen the show yet (I'm seeing it this weekend) but I have heard that she is magical. And if her past work is anything to guess on, I'm sure she is!

#1 - Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde)

OHMIGOD, YOU GUYS! Of all the nominees this year, I am the most happy for Laura Bell Bundy! Like I said before, this has been a big year for women on Broadway. This season has brought many past Tony winners and bright new stars to the Great White Way. Laura Bell is the only newcomer to get the Best Actress nod this year, and it is completely and wonderully deserved!

Her turn as the infamously blonde Elle Woods was amazing. She is this bright, bubbly, and completely believable POWER-HOUSE! "Legally Blonde" is a fast, young, and poppy show that could have been a big ole' bomb. Laura Bell carries the show (almost completely on her own...) and has made is a smash hit with Broadway audiences. I loved her in the show, and I am so SO happy that she is getting the recognition that she truly deserves for it!

And now, on to the gentlemen!

(And for the record, the following rankings are based more on the funny feelings in my tummy than their theatrical performances...)

#5 - Liev Schreiber (Best Actor in a Play)

A man that everyone can surely recognize. He has had numerous Film, Television, and Theatrical roles. In 2005, he won both the Tony and Drama Desk awards for his Featured Actor role in "Glengarry Glen Ross". This season, he returned to the Broadway stage in "Talk Radio", and has had one of the most talked about stage performances of the season.

He's got that hot-older guy thing going on. He's rugged, and while not traditionally "hot", there is something about him that just gives me butterflies. Perhaps it's the amazing talent that just seeps out of him...

#4 - Gavin Lee (Best Actor in a Musical)

Gavin Lee is an import to Broadway this season. He originated his role in "Mary Poppins" last year in London, and then came to New York to make a Broadway debut with the production.

He was by far one of the best things about the show. He created a character different from the one famously played by Dick Van Dyke, but just as (if not more) lovable! He is a charismatic performer, whether acting opposite children or dangling upside-down from the top of the giant proscenium while tapping and belting out a show-stopper!

It helps that he's got those thick-rimmed glasses that make him look sophisticated, approachable, and completely in a league all his own.

#3 - The Boys of Spring Awakening (Ok, so I'm cheating a little...)

"Spring Awakening" led the nominations with a total of 11 nods in different categories. The show was incredible and definitely the most deserving of all the nominations this year.

The show was scored by Duncan Shiek, who did an amazing job creating an emotionally haunting score that wasn't beyond the reach of the atypically young cast.

The show starred Jonathan Groff (Best Actor in a Musical) and John Gallagher, Jr. (Best Featured Actor in a Musical) and both were phenomenal. Groff plays the charming and mysteriously enticing Melchior, and twice exposes his bare behind in the show. Gallagher plays the troubled and darkly quirky best friend Moritz. These two characters carry most of the emotional weight in the show, which I think is the reason it has been able to create such a following. So my #3 gets to include all three of them.

Hey, it's my blog...

#2 - Jerry Mitchell (Best Choreography)

Jerry Mitchell is the man behind "Legally Blonde". He is both the Choreographer and Director of the show, but only got nominated in the one category. It's not surprising that he was passed over for the Director nom because of the other people in that category this season, like Michael Mayer and John Doyle. But at least he was able to get nominated in the Choreography category and not passed over completely.

He is one of the dreamiest men on this list, on Broadway, in this city! He's very tall, probably 6'2 or 6'3, has dark eyes, and is slightly greying. Oh, so sexy! He's the kind of man that make you weak in the knees by just looking at him! He photographs extremely well, and is just as yummy in person!

He's the kind of homo that all young homos want to be like, and be with. So to Mr. Mitchell I say "Congratulations!"...

And "call me!"...

#1 - Raul Esparza (Best Actor in a Musical)

Nominated for his role as Bobby in "Company", Raul Esparza tops my list!

This season has earned Raul rave reviews, like "...the best Bobby to ever be on Broadway" and "...the ultimate leading man!" I agree on all accounts.

He was phenomenal. He delivered the most complex and believable performance that I have seen in my life.

Yes, it helps that he's got those deep brooding eyes, that could look right into your soul. And the kind of good looks that are very much "the guy around the corner".

But more than good looks he is intelligent, composed, and un-freaking-believably talented! He is definitely my favorite to win in his category, and I will be really surprised if he doesn't. The other nominees were great, but he was phenomenal.

So that's my list! The Tony Awards will air on CBS on June 10th. I hope ya'll are as excited as I am!