Hello everyone! It's Evan, and I've returned with another blog post for you all! It's Tony Season you guys, and I'm especially pumped this year, so I wanted to share my predictions for who I think will be taking home a trophy this year. Note: I haven't seen any of these shows live, so all of my predictions will be based on background knowledge, reviews, and my own opinions. Another thing to add is that I can't include all descriptions for all of the categories because I don't know enough about them to have a strong opinion. Hope you enjoy!
BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
I think this award will be going to Joshua Henry this year. Billy Bigelow is one of the most demanding male roles ever written for musical theatre, and I've heard that what he does with the role is extraordinary and that his performance of Soliloquy steals the entire show and brings down the house.
BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
I think this award will be going to Lauren Ambrose or Katrina Lenk. I say Lauren Ambrose because I've heard marvelous things about her performance as Eliza Doolittle and I’ve heard that the role really showcases her singing abilities. I say Katrina Lenk as well because I’ve heard that her performance as Dina in The Band’s Visit is phenomenal and I loved her on the cast album.
BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
I really think Gavin Lee or Norbert Leo Butz will be getting this award. He takes the character of Squidward and makes him as animated as he is on TV. He absolutely steals the show with his tap number, I’m Not a Loser, and he stays true to his character, while also being new and keeping it original. I’ve heard that Norbert is PHENOMENAL as Alfred P. Doolittle and that his performance of Get Me to the Church on Time is one of My Fair Lady’s highlights.
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
I’m almost sure that Lindsay Mendez will be taking this award home. I’ve heard that her performance as Carrie Pipperidge is completely original and that she adds lots of humor and creativity to it, plus, she’s in a completely new musical atmosphere. She’s singing soprano which is something that she typically doesn’t do.
BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Andrew Garfield is amazing as Prior Walter. I’ve watched the professionally-filmed West End production of this show and I can’t comprehend how phenomenal he was. Plus, he’s received many accolades and awards for his performance, so I really think that says something about his performance.
BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Glenda Jackson
BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
I think that Nathan Lane or Anthony Boyle will be winning this award. Nathan Lane, because his performance as Roy Cohn in Angels in America is moving and heart-wrenching all at the same time. Anthony Boyle, because he had the challenge of making one of the most beloved book characters, Scorpius Malfoy, be original, unique, and true onstage all at the same time, and he succeeds.
BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Laurie Metcalf
BEST NEW MUSICAL
I’ve fallen in love with the cast recording of The Band’s Visit because it’s so unique and original and it’s not typically something heard on Broadway before, plus I’ve heard that the book, the cast, and the direction of the show are all amazing, so I think that this musical will be taking home Best Musical.
BEST NEW PLAY
This is, without a doubt, going to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I’ve read the script and I LOVED it and plus, the show got amazing accolades in the West End and on Broadway as well, so I think that this show will be winning Best Play.
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
I can’t decide between Carousel or My Fair Lady. Carousel, while having had mixed reviews, is one of the most timeless musicals ever written and people really seem to love having it back on Broadway, especially with a star-studded cast. My Fair Lady has gotten exceptional reviews and I’ve heard nothing but positivity from people who have seen the show, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if it won.
BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
I think that Angels in America will be getting this award. The revival of this show was directed perfectly and everyone in the cast is putting on exceptional performances, plus the story is necessary, ESPECIALLY now.
BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
I think that Tina Fey will be winning this award. Her work on Mean Girls is amazing! She had the very hard job of making all of the characters seem likable without going in to being overly-suggestive of the stereotypes that the characters could come across as.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
I think that all of the music artists who wrote songs for SpongeBob SquarePants will be winning this award. They all managed to write a song based on their own style of music and when it’s all put together, it creates a musically diverse show and it works perfectly.
BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
I think David Zinn will win this award. The set of SpongeBob SquarePants is so immersive, colorful, and unique and it truly makes it feel as if you’re in an episode of SpongeBob. David did an incredible job with the set and that’s why I think he’ll be taking home this award.
BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Christine Jones
BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
I think David Zinn will also be taking home this award. He had the challenge of making iconic cartoon characters look creative, recognizable, and unique onstage and with the costumes he created for SpongeBob SquarePants are all of those things.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Katrina Lindsay
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY OF A MUSICAL
I think that Justin Peck will be taking home this award. The choreography he created for Carousel is STUNNING and GORGEOUS and can manage to tell a story with no dialogue needed. It works so well with the story and it fits perfectly with the music.
BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
I can’t decide between Tina Landau or Michael Arden. What Tina does with SpongeBob is so imaginative and creative, the way she helped with envisioning is amazing. I also say Michael because he directs Once on this Island with so much creativity and it really gets highlighted in the show.
I hope you all watch Tony Sunday, I’m really excited to see Sara Bareilles host!! Thank you so much for reading, keep conquering the stage!
~ Evan
