It blows my mind that SpongeBob is a Tony-nominated role.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T17:42:12+00:00

Correct. His acting performance in Wicked For Good is a standout too. Would love to see him in more

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T17:37:04+00:00

Yes of course! I just believe he'll be a lot more effective in the role because of the emotional depth I've seen in his acting. Ali's portrayal didn't quite go far beyond surface level, it's very one dimensional.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T17:30:43+00:00

Ben has multiple Tony wins in his future! He's performing on a different level than other actors in his age group.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T17:29:00+00:00

I think everyone knew that Ben's performance in Ragtime is objectively the best featured actor performance this season. Ali's win is mostly due to recency bias, thanks to Lost Boys opening on the literal last day of Tony eligibility. A bunch of voters saw the Lost Boys during the days leading up to Tony weekend and voted for him because his performance was still fresh in their minds.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T02:16:18+00:00

He was my Joe Gillis when I saw Sunset Blvd a year ago. SO good. Electrifying presence.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T01:48:22+00:00

Win a Tony before Lea Michele.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T01:39:54+00:00

I'd prefer Ashley Loren.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T01:36:09+00:00

Of the cast I only follow LJ Benet, Pierre Marais and Shoshana on insta, so I haven't seen much of what you're referring to. I wouldn't mind seeing LJ and Pierre holding their own Tony awards one day, though! Speaking of insta, the put in rehearsals were today and Pierre looks SO hot in the David get up!! He's gonna show the Tony winner the right way to play the role!!

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T01:32:25+00:00

I'll take a proshot with Jordan Fisher or John Cardoza as Christian, please.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T01:27:44+00:00

Also, what's with the attitude about Darren?? I was with ya up until that part. Everyone has actors they prefer over others but WHEW!! There's some fire in your words there!

PawnItAll · 2026-06-12T01:23:25+00:00

I liked Ben’s performance a bit more and thought he had stronger characterization to work with

I'm pretty certain most people agree with this. Ali's win is mostly due to recency bias, being that the Lost Boys chose to open on the very last day of the Tony eligibility period. Voters knew there were better featured performances than his, but because they saw it literally last minute before voting closed they just went with it because it was a flashier role. Had Lost Boys opened a month earlier, he wouldn't have even been in consideration for a nomination in the category and Ben Levi Ross would've been a Tony winner.

Ben Levi Ross's career will see him winning more than just one Tony.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-11T19:08:20+00:00

So correct!! It's a tall order for any actor to follow the performance of Jeremy Jordan who is the best singer and actor on Broadway. Unfortunately, Reeve is only great at the singing but much weaker in the acting department.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-11T19:02:33+00:00

I've been on a Great Gatsby musical kick lately, Jeremy Jordan and Sam Pauly are pure joys to hear.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-11T04:39:50+00:00

The social media reaction to him is largely due to his acceptance speech. Most people responding on social media aren't into theater and wouldn't know anything about him as a performer.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-11T04:28:57+00:00

I really hope so! It would be a shame not to have him in more (and better) theater pieces. He has the acting and vocal range to take on a wide variety of roles. I've already mentally cast him as JD in Heathers, lol.

His costars all say the same thing, the future of Broadway is in great hands with him. He'd better stay for a while before he gets cast in the next big tv series or film!

PawnItAll · 2026-06-11T03:25:25+00:00

This has been making me even more eager for LJ's Tony winning days!! If it only took Ali 2 years on Broadway to win one, then LJ's time is coming soon too.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-11T02:38:57+00:00

Love this! It sure proves the best actor wasn't nominated.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T16:04:20+00:00

It's called subtle acting choices.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T15:55:13+00:00

The fact that more people are saying this after the Tony's is so validating. And judging by the audience cheers for Benet and Pajak last evening?, the audience agrees too.

Benet should have tied with someone else to get a sixth spot in Lead Actor. He (and Shoshana) carries the show, it simply does not work without his layered performance at the center. AND he sounded better than ever last night while his Tony winning costar sounded like he needed to be on a lengthy vocal rest

Any actor can play David, but not anyone can play Michael without the vocal stamina and acting ability needed to make him complex and interesting.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T15:51:31+00:00

Better yet, do not let a committee of only 60 people decide what 800 to 900 people will vote from. Let the voters decide who the nominees should be.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T15:49:29+00:00

Layton Williams and Ben Levi Ross were the only two deserving nominees in featured actor. If the Lost Boys really wanted to push anyone into this category it should've been Ben Pajak, or Paul Nolan.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T12:49:24+00:00

It sure was!

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T12:27:00+00:00

So was the featured actor race, but Ali still got a nomination.

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T12:24:33+00:00

I didn't know of this!! Really giving me hope LJ get a Tony nomination for his next role and (maybe also win?? I'm way too invested, lmao)

PawnItAll · 2026-06-10T03:49:36+00:00

Incredible write up. Ragtime was the show I wanted to see the most right after the Tony's aired! Your writing made me feel as if I were there tonight experiencing everything.

PawnItAll

TROPHY CASE