The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1396: Bad Luck
Two months ago, he clinched his first Olivier Award for his outstanding performance in Les Misérables at the Almeida Theatre.
A month ago, he triumphed at the Cannes Film Festival, winning Best Actor for his mesmerizing portrayal in The Ballad of the Drunken Country.
Now, as the 67th Tony Awards prepare to commence at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the question looms—can Renly keep his winning streak alive?
Renly Hall! Renly Hall! Renly Hall! Or Renly Hall!
For some, his name is a beacon of talent and artistic brilliance. For others, it's becoming tiresome, an overexposed phenomenon that seems inescapable. There is no denying, however, that audiences are witnessing the rise of an era-defining performer.
Renly may not be the universally beloved actor that Robert Downey Jr. or Johnny Depp is—his filmography is light on commercial blockbusters, and his dedication to artistic integrity sometimes distances him from mainstream audiences. But his talent is undeniable, and he has carved out a distinct space in the industry.
History has seen countless actors enjoy their moments of glory, yet only a select few leave a lasting imprint. Fame is fleeting—unless one becomes a cultural icon like Rita Hayworth or Marilyn Monroe. True cinematic immortality comes from the works that withstand the test of time, those that define an era. And Renly, step by step, is on that path.
No one can predict if he will reach the pinnacle of greatness, but he is undoubtedly moving in the right direction. This is the beauty of history—it unfolds before our eyes, only to be fully understood in retrospect.
This year's Tony Awards could mark one such moment.
The Tony Awards: A Fierce Battleground
In early May, shortly after the Olivier Awards, the Tony nominations were announced, with Kinky Boots leading the pack.
Originally a 2005 British film based on a true story, Kinky Boots gained attention in the UK before Broadway adapted it. Its journey was slow and uncertain, but after extensive touring and revisions, it officially debuted on Broadway in April to critical acclaim.
With thirteen nominations—including Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, and Best Musical Screenplay—Kinky Boots dominated the nomination stage.
Close behind were two highly anticipated revivals: Matilda and Pippin, earning twelve and ten nominations, respectively.
Matilda, adapted from the beloved children's book, had already swept ten Olivier Awards in 2010 and made a successful leap to Broadway, while Pippin, a revival of the 1972 classic, reignited Broadway fever, selling out performances and creating a ticket frenzy.
Then there's Les Misérables, another major contender.
With eleven nominations—including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Set Design—it remains a formidable player, making this year's Tony race more competitive than ever.
In fact, the musical category has completely overshadowed the drama category this year. The four nominees for Best Revival of a Musical—Pippin, Matilda, Les Misérables, and Cinderella—are also the top nominees overall, proving that Broadway is experiencing a golden age of musical revivals.
The Battle for Best Actor in a Musical
Yet, no category is as fiercely contested as Best Actor in a Musical.
Even members of the American Theatre Wing privately admit that this might be the most competitive Best Actor race in Tony history. Simply put, Renly is up against the toughest competition of his career.
At the Olivier Awards, despite some suspense, Renly had a clear edge over his competitors. But at the Tonys, the playing field is level, and every nominee is a powerhouse in their own right.
The nominees:
Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) – A 44-year-old veteran, known for Grease, Dreamgirls, and Angels in America, a true Broadway stalwart.
Stark Sands (Kinky Boots) – A Tony-winning performer with acclaimed roles in Journey's End and Twelfth Night, as well as a strong film and TV resume.
Bertie Carvel (Matilda) – The original West End lead, Olivier Award winner, and a seasoned performer in film and theatre.
Santino Fontana (Cinderella) – A versatile talent, known for Frozen (as the voice of Hans) and acclaimed Broadway performances.
Renly Hall (Les Misérables) – The youngest nominee and an outsider in the Broadway circuit.
What's remarkable is that none of the five have won a Tony for Best Actor before, meaning a first-time winner is guaranteed. But the decision is anything but easy. Each performance has been lauded as career-defining, and each actor has a legitimate claim to the prize.
For Renly, a victory would mean achieving EGOT status—an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—an accomplishment that cements an artist's place in entertainment history.
However, this is where things get tricky. While the general public might assume Renly is the natural choice, the Tony voters face a dilemma: should they make history or prevent it?
Renly's competitors have delivered exceptional performances, and any one of them would be a deserving winner. But if Renly wins, it will be seen as a coronation, an inevitable moment in his meteoric rise. If he loses, it will be proof that Broadway still operates on its own merit, independent of Hollywood's influence.
The judges must make an impossible decision—crown a phenomenon or uphold Broadway tradition?
And so, as the ceremony approaches, Renly's fate remains uncertain. History is in the making, but whether he will be on the winning side is a question only time can answer.