The Tony Award Nominations Are In!

The 2012-2013 Broadway season is officially over and what better why to celebrate some good ol' fashioned theatre (pronounced thee-AYE-ter...but, honestly, don't really pronounce it that way.) than with an awards show! Broadway may not be as accessible as film or television, but it's the heart of NYC and nothing quite compares to seeing live theatre! (For those of you that live in NYC or plan on visiting, there's a lot of affordable options to see shows. I LOVE theatre, but I sure ain't paying $130 for a show. If you are 35 and under, Roundabout has a program called Hiptix. It's free to join and the tickets are $22 to all their shows. LincTix is the Lincoln Center version for 35 and under. It's free to join and their tickets are $30. Manhattan Theatre Club has a 30 Under 30 program. And Playbill always lists the Rush ticket policy for the Broadway shows. Don't say I never did anything  for you! Go out and see something!)

The nominations were announced this morning by two-time Tony award winner, Sutton Foster (love her!) and Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson (yep, he was...also there). So without further ado, let's look at the nominees!

Best Play

The Assembled Parties

Lucky Guy

The Testament of Mary

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

The only one of these I haven't seen yet is Lucky Guy. I'll have to try to get a standing room ticket on a Tuesday or something. I am very surprised with the inclusion of Mary here–especially since it's star, Fiona Shaw, isn't nominated for Actress! It's a one-woman show! If you didn't like her in it...what are you nominating?!? Despite enjoying Shaw's previous work with director Deborah Warner (Madea and Happy Days), I can't say I was a fan of this one. Shaw seems lost at what to do and her unnecessary busy work of moving ladders and taking baths combined with her vocal acrobatics distract from the story. The purpose of the work is to give Mary back her humanity after centuries of being glorified. It would have been better accomplished by something more simple and intimate, which doesn't exactly work on Broadway. This afternoon it was announced that it's closing on Sunday. So...congratulations on the nomination?

I would have much preferred to see Douglas Carter Beane's The Nance in Mary's place. The play, about a burlesque performer in the 30s that plays the stock gay character known as a nance and just happens to be gay in real life, is about censorship, being true to yourself and is both ridiculously funny and achingly bittersweet. 

But, the play to beat this year is (for once) a comedy: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. I just saw it last week and really enjoyed it. It's a modern-day, comedic take on Chekov, but you don't really need to know much about that playwright to enjoy it–it only gives the humor more depth. (You can think while you're laughing!) The playwright, Christopher Durang, known for his absurdist comedies, has never won a Tony. I have a feeling this play just might do the trick...

Best Musical

Bring It On: The Musical

A Christmas Story, The Musical

Kinky Boots

Matilda The Musical

I would just like to point out that all these are based on movies (well, technically Matilda is a book. But, there's still a movie!). I get that there's a built in audience from a film (did anyone actually see the movie of Kinky Boots?), but I just wish that new musicals would take more of a chance and show a little more creativity. However, I have not seen any of these, so who am I to judge? I do really wanna see both Matilda and Kinky Boots–and it looks like it's between them for the win. Matilda had more buzz going in, but Kinky Boots received more nominations today. Do we have an actual race here?

Best Revival of a Play

Golden Boy

Orphans

The Trip to Bountiful

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I almost fell asleep typing out those nominees. Granted, I heard good things about Golden Boy and Woolf. But, how did Orphans get here? No one seemed to like it and I know people who literally feel asleep at it. This one is Woolf all the way. Only...I never saw it. Don't tell, but...I don't really like that play.

Best Revival of a Musical

Annie

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Pippin

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

I love that 5 shows were eligible and 4 were nominated. True, Jekyll and Hyde didn't stand a chance (countdown to closing announcement begins...now), but it just seems so cruel. I saw Drood  and liked it a lot. But, Pippin is winning this. I tried to get rush tickets, but didn't get there early enough. But I reeeeallly wanna see it. I've got magic to do!

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Tom Hanks Lucky Guy

Nathan Lane The Nance

Tracy Letts Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

David Hyde Pierce Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Tom Sturridge Orphans

I think the biggest shocker here is that Alan Cumming didn't receive a nomination for his tour-de-force performance of playing all of the characters in Macbeth. His spot was taken by Tom Sturridge, who is gonna have to be happy just to be nominated because this one is going to Tom Hanks in his Broadway debut. Since I don't see Lucky Guy winning Best New Play, it would be a way of honoring the late Nora Ephron as well. Lane, Hyde Pierce, and Letts are all great (and all previous Tony winners), but I really don't see any of them beating America's favorite actor of the 90s.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Laurie Metcalf The Other Place

Amy Morton Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Kristine Nielsen Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Holland Taylor Ann

Cicely Tyson The Trip to Bountiful

Jessica Chastain, Scarlett Johansson, Sigourney Weaver, Bette Midler, Jessica Hecht, Fiona Shaw–just a list of actresses who didn't receive a nomination in a (surprisingly) really crowded year. I think an even bigger surprise is that Kristine Nielsen was able to get a nod here when it was originally considered featured. I thought there was no way she could break in, but I'm glad to see her here as I thought she was best in show from V&S&M&S. She does a Maggie Smith impression! I think she has a shot to win, but she has stiff competition in Metcalf and Tyson. But, I'm still bummed that the Divine Ms. M didn't get a nom. Bette!

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bertie Carvel Matilda the Musical

Santino Fontana Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

 Rob McClure Chaplin

Billy Porter Kinky Boots

Stark Sands Kinky Boots

It could only happen on Broadway– the battle of the drag performers: Carvel Vs. Billy Porter. I'm gonna give the slight edge to Porter since Carvel's performance is technically featured.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Stephanie J. Block The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Carolee Carmello Scandalous

Valisia LeKae Motown The Musical

Patina Miller Pippin

Laura Osnes Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

Everyone was shocked when the 4 actresses playing Matilda were deemed ineligible for this nomination. And now little Annie herself, Lila Crawford, is snubbed as well. The Tonys hate childern. It's as simple as that. It'll just make it easier for Patina Miller to walk away with that Tony...

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Danny Burstein Golden Boy

Richard Kind The Big Knife

Billy Magnussen Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Tony Shalhoub Golden Boy

Courtney B. Vance Lucky Guy

I'm kinda confused by the inclusion of Magnussen. He was just so annoying in that show. But, that is his character, so I guess he did a good job. But, let's be honest, he's hot and in his underwear for most of the show. The nomination is for his abs. I just wish that Jonny Orsini who plays Nathan Lane's lover in The Nance had been included here instead. As for the winner? Shalhoub. I really have no idea.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Carrie Coon Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Shalita Grant Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Judith Ivey The Heiress

Judith Light The Assembled Parties

Condola Rashad The Trip to Bountiful

After I saw The Assembled Parties, I turned to my friend and said, "Judith Light is winning her 2nd Tony." And in the second act when she came out on stage, the guy next to me said aloud, "I. Loooove. Her." Angela from Who's the Boss?– 3 back-to-back Tony nominations and a possible back-to-back win. Raise your hand if you saw that one coming. 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Charl Brown Motown The Musical

Keith Carradine Hands on a Hardbody

Will Chase The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Gabriel Ebert Matilda The Musical

Terrence Mann Pippin

The only one I've seen is Will Chase...so, yeah. I've got nothing for this. 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford Kinky Boots

Victoria Clark Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

Andrea Martin Pippin

Keala Settle Hands on a Hardbody

Laurence Ward Matilda The Musical

All I've been hearing about is how great Andrea Martin is in this. I think she's hilarious, so I'm game. I'm surprised that Chita and Jessie Mueller didn't make it from Drood. How do you not include Chita?! She's 80 years old and still got it!

More Nominations after the jump

Tony! Tony! Tony!

By now, I'm sure you've all seen the Tony nominations that were announced this morning by Emmy award winners (and stage vets!) Jim Parsons (see he him in Roundabout's production of Harvey this summer!) and Tony award winner Kristen Chenoweth (Kristen, honey, leave GCB and come back to Broadway!). You know, if you're into that sort of thing. And just be reassured by returning host Neil Patrick Harris, the Tonys aren't just for gays anymore! And if you're not into it...how did you get to this site? Anyway, on to the nominees and my thoughtful insights because I live in New York! I see Theatre! And I love awards...

For the longest time, when I saw the production stills I thought they had light sabers. They don't. But they would have fit in just fine with the production...

Best Play
Clybourne Park
Other Desert Cities
Peter and the Starcatcher
Venus in Fur

The only one of these four that I haven't seen is Claybourne Park (which won the Pulitzer Prize last year!). It's probably gonna win, so I should probably get on that. Of the three I've seen, Peter and the Starcatcher was my favorite. It's just a great example of why we go to Theatre. It's the kind of magic that can only happen on a stage. Your imagination is just free to roam when you see the creativity they are achieving onstage. And I kept getting choked up at certain points. I really enjoyed Other Desert Cities as well, but there are some plot points that are a little questionable. And I didn't really care for Venus in Fur all that much. It got really repetitive, there's only so much you can do with just two people on the stage the whole time. 

Best Musical
Leap of Faith
Newsies
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Once

Three musicals based on movies and a musical written around the songs of Gershwin–yep, all really original. I haven't seen any of these yet (I'm more of a play kinda guy), but I really want to see Once and Newsies. I really love the movie Once and have seen Swell Season (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from the film) a couple of times in concert. And people keep telling me they didn't like the movie (including the person I saw it in the theatre with when it came out. You liked it then!), but that this musical is ah-MAZ-ing (it also has the most nominations this year with 11)! I didn't see the movie version of Newsies until I was in my late 20s and let's just say it's one of those movies you would have had to see as a child to enjoy. But, I've only heard good things about the musical. You could not pay me to see Leap of Faith or Nice Work. Seriously. No Spiderman. Is anyone really surprised by that? 

Best Revival of a Play
Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Master Class
Wit

Do Death of a Salesman and The Best Man officially have to have the author's name attached to them from now on? I didn't know there were other productions with the same name? But can't get them confused with Neil Simon's Death of a Salesman or Shakespeare's The Best Man. Also, those are the two shows I haven't seen yet. I'm dying to see Death (oh, I just realized what I did there...) and it's probably gonna win. I'm surprised Master Class made it on here as it was the first show to open the 2011-2012 season way back in August. Faye Dunaway must be happy people remember it. I didn't love this production of Wit mainly because I think Cynthia Nixon had to work too hard to make us believe her in the role. She just doesn't have that innate academia intelligence naturally about her the way Emma Thompson did in the HBO version.

Best Revival of a Musical
Evita
Follies
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Jesus Christ Superstar

The only one of these that I saw was Follies and it's most likely gonna win, so good thing I did. I enjoyed it a lot. Many people consider tis one of the greatest musicals ever written. I wouldn't go that far...I really want to see Evita. I love the music and it's the first revival since the original production made Patti LuPone a star. But, everyone keeps saying Elena Roger is screaming her way through the performances. Maybe that's why she didn't get nominated...I heard people are surprised Godspell wasn't nominated, but that production was awful. I left at intermission. I was also really drunk, which may have contributed to my strong dislike. But I couldn't sit through that twee Christian propaganda. 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

James Corden, One Man, Two Guvnors
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
James Earl Jones, Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Frank Langella, Man and Boy
John Lithgow, The Columnist

It's really between Corden and Hoffman in what are so completely different performances, how can you choose who's "best"? I mean, I haven't seen either, yet (oh, god. The only one I've seen is Frank Langella. Yikes.), Corden is doing slapstick comedy and Hoffman is doing one of the most iconic characters in dramatic history. Tough call. Jones, Langella, and Lithgow seem to be here on name recognition as none have really been praised all that much. Too bad Alan Rickman's name is further down alphabetically...

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Nina Arianda, Venus in Fur
Tracie Bennett, End of the Rainbow
Stockard Channing, Other Desert Cities
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Cynthia Nixon, Wit

Like last year, this category looks to be pretty competitive. Nina gets her second Tony nom in a row in this category (She was in my group for final semester of school. She's since worked with Woody Allen and has two Tony noms and I'm typing away at this blog, Yeah...). Stockard was wonderful in Other Desert Cities. Sat in the front row, so I was close for all the action (also close to see Judith Light's bunions). I still have to see Bennett playing Judy Garland and Linda Lavin (who didn't take her Follies role to Broadway so she could be the lead in this. I bet she's happy with her choice), but I plan on before Tony night. Surprised that they remembered Master Class for Revival but not Tyne Daly here. She kinda is the play. Don't know who she would replace though. Maybe Cynthia Nixon.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Danny Burstein, Follies
Jeremy Jordan, Newsies
Steve Kazee, Once
Norm Lewis, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Ron Raines, Follies

Another close race. I don't think it'll be either of the Follies guys (that show is really about the gals anyway). A couple of new stars and a veteran. If someone twisted my arm until I made a pick, I guess I'd go with Kazee.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Jan Maxwell, Follies
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Cristin Milioti, Once
Kelli O'Hara, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Laura Osnes, Bonnie & Clyde

I think a lot of people were shocked that Bernadette Peters didn't make the cut in this category while Osnes in the long-closed Bonnie & Clyde did. I can't vouch for Osnes because I didn't see her show. I was busy that week. But she really seems like she's being groomed to be Broadway's next leading lady (like a Kelli O'Hara type). She just played Maria in an anniversary concert of Sound of Music at Carnegie Hall and it was announced that she's gonna be Cinderella in a Broadway revival of the Rogers and Hammerstein version. So, obviously things are going good for her. Bernie, whom I love, was no at her best in Follies. The night I saw her she could barely get through her songs. I'm all for emotion in the song, but you do actually have to be able to sing it as well. I think it's down to Maxwell and McDonald and I'm leanin' towards Jan because she's never won and she was snubbed twice in 2010 when she was a double nominee . 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Christian Borle, Peter and the Starcatcher
Michael Cumpsty, End of the Rainbow
Tom Edden, One Man, Two Guvnors
Andrew Garfield, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Jeremy Shamos, Clybourne Park

After seeing Peter, my friend wondered if Christian Borle was gay. I didn't think there was any question about it after seeing him in Angels in America onstage, his role in Smash, and his hilariously flamboyant performance in this. But, then my friend said he used to be married. To a woman. And not just any woman–Sutton Foster. Which really doesn't help his case because what guy man wouldn't marry two-time Tony award winner Sutton? Oh, and he's winning this Tony. Sorry, Andrew Garfield. You can go cry on the pile of money your unnecessary Spiderman movie will make. 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Linda Emond, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Spencer Kayden, Don't Dress for Dinner
Celia Keenan-Bolger, Peter and the Starcatcher
Judith Light, Other Desert Cities
Condola Rashad, Stick Fly

The biggest surprise here is that Angela Landsbury isn't nominated for The Best Man, excuse me–Gore Vidal's The Best Man (don't want to get you confused). Every time she's in a new production I rush to se her in it as who knows how long she'll be able to do 8 live shows a week? The woman is 86! But, as soon as I see her in something, it's announced she's on to another Broadway show. I can't keep up with her! She needs her own Kardashian like reality show...And she needs to take Spencer Kayden's place. Who was the best part of a really flat, unfunny show. Which isn't good in a comedic farce, y'all. Celia is more of a lead in Peter. Which means it's between Emond and Judith Light. I'm hoping for TV's Angela Bower only to see if she thanks Tony Danza in her acceptance speech.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Phillip Boykin, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Michael Cerveris, Evita
David Alan Grier, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Michael McGrath, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Josh Young, Jesus Christ Superstar

People are shocked that Ricky Martin didn't get nominated? Really? They do know he was just cast to sell tickets (like Uma Thurman's Rebecca Duvall on Smash!), right? Did anyone really think he would be nominated? I only know who Michael Cerveris and David Alan Grier are in this category. And Michael has already won before and the part of Peron isn't really that good. So, I'm gonna go with DAG for the win. 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Elizabeth A. Davis, Once
Jayne Houdyshell, Follies
Judy Kaye, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Jessie Mueller, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Ghost the Musical

I really need to see Once cause who the hell is the other female character? I don't recall any other females other than the lead in the film. Not even like a woman in the background that puts some money in Glen Hansard's guitar case. People really love this musical. I don't even remember Jayne Houdyshell in Follies. It'll be nice for Jessie Mueller to add "Tony Award Nominee" when she plays Cinderella in the park with Amy Adams. And the role of Oda Mae won Whoopi an Oscar, but from what I hear, Da'Vine ain't no Whoopi. Sooooo...random girl from Once! Your show has the most nominations and you deserve it!

The Tech nominees after the jump. They aren't even good enough for the actual ceremony on Broadcast TV, so why start acting like I care now...

The Tonys air LIVE on June 10th at 8:00PM EST on CBS

An Ode to Lynn Collins

How is that not the face of a star?

Whenever I see casting news for Lily Collins I always get really excited because in my head they're actually talking about Lynn Collins (I sometimes have the same problem with Emma Watson/Emily Watson. Their names are too similar!). You see, ever since I saw Lynn Collins on stage as Rosalind in the Shakespeare in the Park production of As You Like It back in 2005, I've been one of her biggest fans. She had such an ease on stage and a charisma that drew you in. Her Rosalind had a natural sexiness, even when disguised as a man. Equally adept at both the comedy and the drama and a wonderful command of the language–she made it all look so effortless. I was completely enchanted and left the theatre thinking, 'she's gonna be a big star.'

Apparently, Hollywood had other plans. Lynn Collins is hardly a household name. And despite starring in some big-budgeted projects, she never gained that fame I thought she was destined for. Stardom is such a strange beast. If it was based on talent alone, Collins would already be there. But, there's so many elements at play that are completely elusive. It all depends on what you appear in and what connects with the audience. And sometimes the public is not always the best judge of character. I mean, we're talking about moviegoers that have made Adam Sandler a movie star.

Lynn Collins spent most of her childhood in Asia, which allowed her to learn about different cultures and people–perfect training for a future actor. When she returned to the Houston area, she attended Klein High School with classmates Lee Pace and Matt Bomer. At 17, she attended Juilliard in New York. After graduation, her first professional job was starring as Ophelia opposite Liev Schriber's Hamlet at the Public Theatre. Her first big break came when she was cast as Portia in the film version of The Merchant of Venice opposite Al Pacino as Shylock in 2004. She won the role after a pregnant Cate Blanchett had to drop out. The film was to be a showcase for Pacino, but most reviews praised Collins– signaling a sign of (hopeful) big things to come. Hot off the success of Venice, her Rosalind in the park the next year showed that she was one of her generation's best interpreters of the Bard. But after that is when things started going off-track. She started to appear in indies that no one had heard of or she appeared in forgettable girlfriend roles in things that were a success. (Quick–try to remember her in True Blood or X-Men Origins: Wolverine. ) It was frustrating for me to see her in those roles as I know she was capable of better.

Being cast as Dejah Thoris, the Princess of Mars, in Andrew Stanton's sure-to-be hit, John Carter, seemed like it would be just the thing to bring her to that next level. Unfortunately, I think we all know how that guaranteed success is turning out. But, the thing is, I saw the movie last weekend (in IMAX 3-D!) and Lynn is great in it. I actually really enjoyed the film as well. It was a lot of fun and gorgeous to look at. I don't understand the hostile critical reaction. It's like they all went in deciding they were gonna hate it. When it was over, the kid in front of me excitedly exclaimed, 'now that's a movie!'

Collins's Dejah isn't just a damsel in distress, but an intellectual (working at the Helium Academy of Science) and a sword-welding warrior. Her years of training in Shakespeare allows Collins to give a depth and believability to what has been criticized for being clunky dialogue. With a reddish-tinged tan (complete with tribal tattoos) and outfitted in skimpy dresses, she's never looked more beautiful on screen. I started to fall in love with her all over again. The film may not have been the hit it was supposed to be, but at least Collins can be proud of the work she did. Hopefully it will just be a stumbling block on the way to a long and successful career. I've kinda given up hope that she'll be the next big thing, but I'm happy as long as I get to see her on stage or screen. And there's always Mirror, Mirror to look forward to...Wait, that's Lily Collins. Dammit...

The Hit of All of Europe and Cannes

Twitter is officially the new place to debut a still from your new movie. Just days after Jerry Bruckheimer tweeted a pic from the set of the upcoming, big-budget blockbuster, The Lone Ranger, Best Actress Oscar winner (but, please don't mention Mommie Dearest), Faye Dunaway, tweeted this picture from the set of her feature film directing debut–the film version of Terrence McNally's play Master Class. She also stars in the film as opera diva, Maria Callas.

You haven't mentioned the Johnny Depp picture. Which I was brilliant in.

The play focuses on the legendary singer as she preformed master classes at Juilliard in the 70s and flashes back to when the opera star was with oil tycoon (and future Jackie O husband), Aristotle Onassis. The play debuted on Broadway in the fall of 1995 and won Tonys for Best Play, Best Actress in a Play (Zoe Caldwell), and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Audra McDonald). Faye did the National Tour of the production in 1996 and bought the film rights over a decade ago. Judging from the looks of that pic, it looks like the movie was filmed back in the 90s as well. 

I had no idea this was even happening. And after seeing the recent Broadway revival this summer with Tyne Daly, I'm not so sure it's necessary. The play is essentially a one-woman monologue as Maria Callas berates 3 students and tells tales of her glory days (complete with outlandish impressions of Onassis!). It's just so theatrical. I don't really see how it would work as a movie. And that picture isn't exactly inspiring confidence in Faye's ability as a director. This is the shot you choose to get people excited about your film? What's even going on? It looks like a staged shot from a community theatre production. 

Faye's been in the news in recent years for starting a feud with Hilary Duff and being evicted from her bug-infested New York apartment, so it's good to see her acting in something of value again. Faye really is a living legend. Even though things haven't been so great for her over the past few years decades, her body of work (Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, Network, and, yes, even Mommie Dearest) has already stood the test of time. She's brilliant in them. And if you don't believe me, just have her tell you herself. This is perhaps her greatest performance:

Let's Put On a Show

Vanity Fair has a great gallery of photographer Simon Annand's work of actors backstage. It's part of an exhibit of his work in the UK at the Idea Generation Gallery and coincides with the release of a book on the same subject entitled, The Half: Photographs of Actors Preparing for the Stage. Almost all of the photos are of actors who may have become famous because of their film work, but who have a history with the stage. Some, like Cate Blanchett and Kevin Spacey, still find time to return to the theatre, and others in the photos, like Tom Hardy and Carey Mulligan, were just getting their start. I've always loved behind-the-scenes photography of theatre and film productions. There's a romanticism to trying to capture that creative energy at work while the actor prepares.

I've actually had the pleasure of seeing a couple of these productions that the photographs chronicle, when they transfered to Broadway. It got me thinking about all the great actors I've gotten to see on stage. Since I always love a list, I've compiled the 10 Best Stage Performances by Film Actors (that I've seen). I'm focusing on famous actors known more for their film work since that is the main focus of the photos. So I'm gonna have to leave off the stage work of such theatrical greats as Zoe Caldwell and Patti LuPone or actors, like Fiona Shaw, Stockard Channing, and Cynthia Nixon, who have done film but aren't necessarily famous in that medium. Also, if a said one of the best performance I've ever seen was Mary Louise Wilson in 4000 Miles, that would mean nothing to you. You wanna hear about movie stars like Scarlett Johansson and John C. Reilly (neither will be on this list, but I have seen them) and I don't blame you. On to the stars!

10. Geoffrey Rush Exit the King (2009)
The Oscar winner has a tendency to go a little over the top in performances. But, you know where that works really well– on the stage where everything is exaggerated and a performance where you're going slightly crazy to avoid death! Rush won a Tony for his performance in this absurdist play by Ionesco. His comic performance definitely reached me in my cheap seats. His energy and humor are what really stuck with me.


9. Liam Neeson The Crucible (2002)
I must confess–I don't entirely remember everything about this performance. So, why have I included it here? Because it holds a special place in my heart. It is one of my favorite plays and this production (which also starred Laura Linney) was the first Broadway production I ever saw the first time I ever came to NYC. I was worried about taking the wrong subway and missing the show, so I walked all the way from NYU in Greenwich Village to 52nd Street in Times Square. Let me tell you, it's a long walk. But, I was thrilled to have seen it and I remember Liam Neeson's commanding presence on stage. His earthy, soulfulness is exactly right for the character of John Procter.


8. Jane Fonda 33 Variations (2009)
The two-time Best Actress Oscar winner has only appeared in two US theatrical releases since 1990 (Monster-in-Law and Georgia Rule. Lord, help me–I've seen them both) and the last time she was on Broadway was in 1964, so I was more than excited to see a living legend like Jane Fonda on stage. She played a Beethoven expert studying a minor piece of music of the composer while at the same time battling Lou Gehrig's disease. The play also concerns mother/daughter relationships and spans centuries as Beethoven, himself, is also a character in the play. Such a chaotic structure has the risk of getting out of control, but it was held together with Fonda's centered performance. And what a treat it was to hear that rich, honey voice in person. Her efforts were rewarded with a Tony Nomination.


7. Anne Hathaway Twelfth Night (2009)
This was definitely a hot ticket that summer as Annie was just coming off her Best Actress Oscar nomination for Rachel Getting Married. Her career had entered a new level and I think there were certain expectations that followed. This was a really smart move for her to make as taking on Viola, one of the greatest female stage roles, showcased her talents as a comedic actress–doing Shakespeare, no less–and allowed her to shine in an all-star ensemble. It really seemed like she was enjoying herself and that effortlessness came across on stage. The night I saw it, she started to cough after taking a drink of wine on stage and quickly ad-libbed, 'Tis strong. It was a charming moment that only increased my enjoyment of her performance and the production.


6. Frances McDormand Good People (2011)
When I first saw Frances on stage in The Country Girl in the role that brought Grace Kelly an Oscar (cause they're the same type...) a few years earlier, I was really disappointed. It was a ho-hum production and she never seemed to connect with the character or her co-stars. But, she was outstanding in her Tony award winning performance last year in this MTC production. This time around, she had no problems connecting with this character and she had a lived-in quality that made you believe that this was a real person. It helped that the play was so smartly written. She played a woman with a special-needs adult child in Southie, Boston. When she gets laid-off of her job at a dollar store, she reconnects with an old boyfriend who has since become a successful doctor. Her scenes in the second act with Tate Donavon as the ex and Renée Elise Goldsberry as his wife had a kinetic energy, edge-of-your-seat excitement that makes you appreciate live theatre.

The Stars do Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Tennessee Williams after the jump