With nominations for this year’s Tony Awards being announced soon, I thought now would be a good time to share with you my predictions. On this page, I’ll be discussing my predictions for the play categories. For each category, I’ll be listing all the candidates that I think will most likely be nominated, as well as possibilities for the last one-two slots.
Best Play:
The Children
Farinelli & the King
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Junk
What’s Getting the Last Slot?: You might as well throw a dart on the board to figure out which play will end up taking it. Out of all the other new plays this season, Steve Martin's comedy, Meteor Shower, seems to be the one that was the most liked. While it usually is hard for pure comedies to make the cut for Best Play, I think this year could make an exception to that rule. Not to mention that Martin's previous Broadway outing, Bright Star, was a surprise nominee for Best Musical two years ago.
Best Revival of a Play:
Angels in America
The Iceman Cometh
Three Tall Women
Travesties
What’s Getting the Last Slot?: I think Lobby Hero is going to take it not only given its positive response, but also how relevant it is in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Best Lead Actor in a Play:
Andrew Garfield-Angels in America
Tom Hollander-Travesties
Jamie Parker-Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Mark Rylance-Farinelli & the King
Denzel Washington-The Iceman Cometh
Who Could Sneak In?: While I do feel pretty good about the five performances I’m predicting, I think Steven Pasquale could be a dark horse candidate for Junk. His performance as the lead of a nearly two-dozen ensemble was well-lauded by critics. Though given how that play ended its limited run back at the beginning of the year, it’s hard to tell how much it will be remembered at this point.
Best Lead Actress in a Play:
Glenda Jackson-Three Tall Women
Condola Rashad-Saint Joan
Lauren Ridloff-Children of a Lesser God
Who’s Getting the Last Two Slots?: This is another category where you might as well throw some darts on the board to figure out who’ll be taking them. While Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Time and the Conways took place way back in the fall (and received such a tepid reception), Elizabeth McGovern’s performance was appreciated by critics. Amy Schumer received rapturous reviews for her Broadway debut in Meteor Shower. While the Broadway premiere of Marvin’s Room took place way back in the summer of last year, Lili Taylor’s performance was pretty much seen as a highlight regardless of whatever critics thought of the production as a whole.
Best Featured Actor in a Play:
Anthony Boyle-Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Nathan Lane-Angels in America
Who’s Getting the Last Three Slots?: While the precursors do not by any means overlap with the Tonys, it is interesting to note that David Morse has been the one featured player from The Iceman Cometh who’s been singled out by the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk. Brian Tyree Henry has also been the one cast member from Lobby Hero who’s been singled out by the Drama Desk as well. Though I could see a scenario where four featured actors from Angels in America (Lane, along with James McArdle, Lee Pace, & Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) receive Tony nominations while Anthony Boyle completes the category. However, given that Ron Cook had the only male character in The Children, could he be remembered for his performance?
Best Featured Actress in a Play:
Noma Dumezweni-Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Denise Gough-Angels in America
Laurie Metcalf-Three Tall Women
Who’s Getting the Last Two Slots?: When the Administration Committee ruled that Francesca Annis & Deborah Findlay would both be eligible in this category for The Children, it seemed that they both had solid shots at Tony nominations. But then, Laurie Metcalf & Alison Pill were ruled eligible in this category for Three Tall Women as well. I’d say Pill is safe to get in given how strong of a contender I’m expecting the production to be. As for the last slot, Susan Brown could end up riding a wave of acting nominations for Angels in America. Though Laura Benanti was seen as a highlight in Meteor Shower back in the fall.
You can stream the nominations announcement at www.tonyawards.com this Tuesday morning at 8:30.
Best Play:
The Children
Farinelli & the King
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Junk
What’s Getting the Last Slot?: You might as well throw a dart on the board to figure out which play will end up taking it. Out of all the other new plays this season, Steve Martin's comedy, Meteor Shower, seems to be the one that was the most liked. While it usually is hard for pure comedies to make the cut for Best Play, I think this year could make an exception to that rule. Not to mention that Martin's previous Broadway outing, Bright Star, was a surprise nominee for Best Musical two years ago.
Best Revival of a Play:
Angels in America
The Iceman Cometh
Three Tall Women
Travesties
What’s Getting the Last Slot?: I think Lobby Hero is going to take it not only given its positive response, but also how relevant it is in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Best Lead Actor in a Play:
Andrew Garfield-Angels in America
Tom Hollander-Travesties
Jamie Parker-Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Mark Rylance-Farinelli & the King
Denzel Washington-The Iceman Cometh
Who Could Sneak In?: While I do feel pretty good about the five performances I’m predicting, I think Steven Pasquale could be a dark horse candidate for Junk. His performance as the lead of a nearly two-dozen ensemble was well-lauded by critics. Though given how that play ended its limited run back at the beginning of the year, it’s hard to tell how much it will be remembered at this point.
Best Lead Actress in a Play:
Glenda Jackson-Three Tall Women
Condola Rashad-Saint Joan
Lauren Ridloff-Children of a Lesser God
Who’s Getting the Last Two Slots?: This is another category where you might as well throw some darts on the board to figure out who’ll be taking them. While Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Time and the Conways took place way back in the fall (and received such a tepid reception), Elizabeth McGovern’s performance was appreciated by critics. Amy Schumer received rapturous reviews for her Broadway debut in Meteor Shower. While the Broadway premiere of Marvin’s Room took place way back in the summer of last year, Lili Taylor’s performance was pretty much seen as a highlight regardless of whatever critics thought of the production as a whole.
Best Featured Actor in a Play:
Anthony Boyle-Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Nathan Lane-Angels in America
Who’s Getting the Last Three Slots?: While the precursors do not by any means overlap with the Tonys, it is interesting to note that David Morse has been the one featured player from The Iceman Cometh who’s been singled out by the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk. Brian Tyree Henry has also been the one cast member from Lobby Hero who’s been singled out by the Drama Desk as well. Though I could see a scenario where four featured actors from Angels in America (Lane, along with James McArdle, Lee Pace, & Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) receive Tony nominations while Anthony Boyle completes the category. However, given that Ron Cook had the only male character in The Children, could he be remembered for his performance?
Best Featured Actress in a Play:
Noma Dumezweni-Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Denise Gough-Angels in America
Laurie Metcalf-Three Tall Women
Who’s Getting the Last Two Slots?: When the Administration Committee ruled that Francesca Annis & Deborah Findlay would both be eligible in this category for The Children, it seemed that they both had solid shots at Tony nominations. But then, Laurie Metcalf & Alison Pill were ruled eligible in this category for Three Tall Women as well. I’d say Pill is safe to get in given how strong of a contender I’m expecting the production to be. As for the last slot, Susan Brown could end up riding a wave of acting nominations for Angels in America. Though Laura Benanti was seen as a highlight in Meteor Shower back in the fall.
You can stream the nominations announcement at www.tonyawards.com this Tuesday morning at 8:30.