Here are the women nominated for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play” and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical”:
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Geneva Carr, “Hand to God”
Helen Mirren, “The Audience”
Elisabeth Moss, “The Heidi Chronicles”
Carey Mulligan, “Skylight”
Ruth Wilson, “Constellations”
Here are a few fun facts:
– Geneva Carr is making her Broadway debut at age 44 in “Hand to God,” but you’d also recognize her recurring role as the mom in the AT&T Mobility phone commercials.
– Helen Mirren has played a Queen a total of six times: The Queen (2006), Elizabeth I (2005), The Prince of Egypt (1998), The Snow Queen (1995), The Madness of King George (1994), and Caligola (1979).
– You know Elisabeth Moss best from her portrayal as Peggy Olson on the AMC series “Mad Men.”
– Carey Mulligan’s Broadway debut was in a 2008 production of Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”
– Ruth Wilson won the Golden Globe for best actress in a TV drama for her role in “The Affair” and days later made her Broadway debut in “Constellations.”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Kristin Chenoweth, “On the Twentieth Century”
Leanne Cope, “An American in Paris”
Beth Malone, “Fun Home”
Kelli O’Hara, “The King and I”
Chita Rivera, “The Visit”
Here are a few more fun facts:
– Kristin Chenoweth’s birth name is Kristi Dawn. She became “Kristin” when her musical theater teacher at Oklahoma City University, Florence Birdwell, suggested adding the “n” to make it sound more professional.
– Leanne Cope is currently on leave from London’s Royal Ballet to be performing in “An American In Paris.”
– Beth Malone made her Broadway debut in “Ring of Fire,” which played at the Barrymore Theatre in 2006.
– This year marks Kelli O’Hara’s 6th Tony nomination. Her previous nominations have been for her performances in “The Light in the Piazza,” “The Pajama Game,” “South Pacific,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and “The Bridges of Madison County.”
– Chita Rivera has gained 9 Tony Award nominations throughout her career, with two wins for “The Rink” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”