The 2017 Tony Awards are almost here, so let’s make some predictions, shall we? We’ll now be talking about the play categories.
 
Best Play:

1. Oslo
2. A Doll’s House, Part 2
3. Sweat
4. Indecent​

The momentum really seems to be behind Oslo, a very important play that tells the true story of the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993. Though what might be in striking distance is A Doll’s House, Part 2. A play many people would probably think going in is an old-fashioned, dramatic sequel to the Henrik Ibsen classic, but it actually is a contemporary dramedy that stands on its own. Not to mention the fact that it was recently announced that the play will be extending its run to January 7th, 2018. Sweat may have a shot since it recently won the Pulitzer Prize, though there have been several winners for that which didn’t go on to win big at the Tonys.

Best Revival of a Play:

1. Jitney
2. The Little Foxes
3. Six Degrees of Separation
4. Present Laughter​

According to the New York Times’ recent Tony voter poll (which interviewed about 67 out of 839 voters), Jitney is out front in this category. It has the narrative of being the final August Wilson play to have made it to Broadway. Plus, if Tony voters want to show some diversity among the winners, this is pretty much the only place they can. Though it is not only hurt by the fact that it’s closed, but it was open during a very narrow time in the season (January 19th-March 12th). So were enough Tony voters (especially those from out-of-town) even able to see it? I think because of that, The Little Foxes may have a slight edge since it is still running. I also wonder how many Tony voters have seen it twice just to see Laura Linney & Cynthia Nixon take on both roles they’ve been alternating together.

Best Lead Actor in a Play:

1. Kevin Kline-Present Laughter
2. Jefferson Mays-Oslo
3. Corey Hawkins-Six Degrees of Separation
4. Chris Cooper-A Doll’s House, Part 2
5. Denis Arndt-Heisenberg

Despite his invisibility factor during Tony season, Kevin Kline was recently able to show up at the Drama Desk to accept his award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play. Having started his career in the theatre, Kline was able to win two Tony Awards for his work in musicals (On the Twentieth Century and The Pirates of Penzance) before going on to make a name for himself in Hollywood. Nowadays, he rarely ever appears on Broadway, he’s turned down so many offers which has earned him the nickname ‘Kevin De-Kline’. Not only is he finally back on Broadway in Present Laughter, but is also starring in a role that seems tailor made for him. Though Gold Derby contributor, David Buchanan recently wrote an article about the possibilities of Jefferson Mays pulling an upset for Oslo. Mays previously won in 2004 for I Am My Own Wife, where he even managed to beat Kline for Henry IV.

Best Lead Actress in a Play:

1. Laurie Metcalf-A Doll’s House, Part 2
2. Laura Linney-The Little Foxes
3. Jennifer Ehle-Oslo
4. Cate Blanchett-The Present
5. Sally Field-The Glass Menagerie

A few weeks ago, it seemed this race was Laurie Metcalf’s to lose, but Laura Linney has been building a lot of momentum with wins at the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards (not that the precursors mean much when it comes to the Tonys). I could see this being a case where a win for Linney would go hand-in-hand with a win for her co-star down in Featured Actress, Cynthia Nixon. But are Tony voters really going to let A Doll’s House, Part 2 go home empty handed? I guess since Laurie Metcalf has already been announced to come back to Broadway next season in Three Tall Women, some of them could probably be saving their votes for next year.

Best Featured Actor in a Play:

1. John Douglas Thompson-Jitney
2. Michael Aronov-Oslo
3. Danny DeVito-The Price
4. Richard Thomas-The Little Foxes
5. Nathan Lane-The Front Page​

Best Play usually takes an acting award, and Michael Aronov probably is Oslo’s best chance of winning one. Though if Jitney ends up being strong with Tony voters, I could see John Douglas Thompson winning here. He could also be helped by the fact that he's currently appearing in Shakespeare in the Park's production of Julius Caesar​ through June 18th. Danny DeVito may have won lots of acclaim for his Broadway debut in The Price, but he’s the only nomination that production received. You have to go all the way back to 2003 when a sole nominee ended up winning an acting award (which was Michele Pawk for Hollywood Arms). If Tony voters have been able to see The Little Foxes twice, could that elevate Richard Thomas’ chances? Nathan Lane is not only hurt by the fact that The Front Page ended its limited run back in January, but he’s also been in London during Tony Season due to his commitments to the National Theatre’s production of Angels in America.

​Best Featured Actress in a Play:

1. Cynthia Nixon-The Little Foxes
2. Johanna Day-Sweat
3. Jayne Houdyshell-A Doll’s House, Part 2
4. Condola Rashad-A Doll’s House, Part 2
5. Michelle Wilson-Sweat

Cynthia Nixon is the only nominee in this category who isn’t up against one of her co-stars, so it seems that she has an edge. I’m not really sure which nominee from A Doll’s House, Part 2 nor Sweat​ could possibly prevail here. Plus, if The Little Foxes wins Best Revival of a Play, I can’t see it how wouldn’t take an acting award.

​Best Direction of a Play:

1. Bartlett Sher-Oslo
2. Ruben Santiago-Hudson-Jitney
3. Sam Gold-A Doll’s House, Part 2
4. Daniel Sullivan-The Little Foxes
5. Rebecca Taichman-Indecent​

11 times out of the last 17 years, the awards for Best Play and Best Director have pretty much gone hand-in-hand. Another five of the remaining six, Best Director went hand-in-hand with Best Revival of a Play. Bartlett Sher has admitted in interviews that directing Oslo was harder than any musical he’s ever directed. Though Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who started out his career as an actor (even appearing in some of August Wilson’s work) before making a transition into directing, made his Broadway directorial debut this past season with Jitney. If Sam Gold pulls an upset here, this could be where we see a surge for A Doll’s House, Part 2. Rebecca Taichman has also won a lot of acclaim for her work on Indecent. Could she pull a Mary Zimmerman (Metamorphoses) by winning this category while the play doesn’t win anything else?

Be sure to watch the Tonys this Sunday night at 8/7c on CBS. Here is a quick rundown of my predictions for the design categories…
 
Best Lighting Design of a Play:

1. Christopher Akerlind-Indecent
2. Donald Holder-Oslo
3. Jennifer Tipton-A Doll’s House, Part 2
4. Jane Cox-Jitney

 
Best Scenic Design of a Play:

1. David Gallo-Jitney
2. Michael Yeargan-Oslo​
3. Douglas W. Schmidt-The Front Page
4. Nigel Hook-The Play That Goes Wrong

 
Best Costume Design of a Play:

1. Jane Greenwood-The Little Foxes
2. Susan Hilferty-Present Laughter
3. David Zinn-A Doll’s House, Part 2
4. ​Toni-Leslie James-Jitney