My Tony Predictions - 2016

I can't believe it's almost Tony Awards time again! Seems like I was just getting ready for last year's awards and hoping for a Fun Home sweep (which I mainly got, woo hoo, though I wish some of it had been on the air, goshdarnit!).  Some people have dubbed Sunday's ceremony as the Hamil-tonys, because Hamilton is sure to be the big BIG winner of the night.  Although I've imagined myself winning the Hamilton lottery many times, I still haven't, so I still haven't seen the show, so I still can't vote for any of its categories.  Or can I...

Even with taking Hamilton out of the mix, I still haven't seen very many of the musical nominees.  As I told a friend the other day, I'm trying to see fewer shows and save money so I can go to Italy in November.  Well, I'm seeing fewer shows but I haven't saved any money.  I need to figure this out more successfully.  But I'm hoping to catch a few shows via TDF over the summer; the shows that don't win the major awards will hopefully hang around at least until Labor Day so I can check them out.

I'm looking forward to James Corden hosting the broadcast - I enjoy his fun car karaoke things that I watch online and as a former Tony winner, I think he'll have the right combination of respect and exasperation for the whole thing.  At least I hope he will. Anyway, without further ado, here are some predictions and hopes for how things turn out Sunday (I'm not listing every category here, some of them just render me clueless, but I will of course list the category that lets me post the picture I will keep posting from now until the end of time of me and the most popular guy in town):

BEST PLAY

My prediction:  The Humans by Stephen Karam
My hope:  Eclipsed by Danai Gurira

I haven't seen The Humans yet, as it is rarely on TDF.  I'm sure I will enjoy it - I've enjoyed Karam's other plays that I've read.  I'm just rooting for Eclipsed and Danai because I'm thinking of the power of seeing a woman of color accept the Best Play award.  And I thought the play was wonderful.

BEST MUSICAL  (also Best Book and Best Score)

My prediction:  Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hello, I'm not an idiot.  Of course it's going to win.  I've listened to the cast albums of two of the other nominees and...not so much.  I love Lin - he has the biggest heart in show business and I'm so ready to hear the roar of love that will come his way when he wins everything (except maybe Best Actor).

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY

My prediction:  A View from the Bridge
My hope:  Long Day's Journey Into Night

I might've been ok with Bridge winning until I saw The Crucible. Now my hope is that this particular director does not get rewarded at all.  I know.  I'm mean.  Sue me.

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL

My prediction:  The Color Purple
My hope:  She Loves Me

I haven't seen The Color Purple, but I've heard so many people talk about how revelatory it is in comparison to its previous production, so I guess I feel like it will win.  But She Loves Me is perfect, always has been perfect and always will be perfect.  So it has my heart.

BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY

My prediction:  Frank Langella, The Father
My hope:  Tim Pigott-Smith, King Charles III

I haven't seen The Father, so I can't make comment on Frank Langella, but he IS always wonderful and he has been winning most of the previous awards this season, so I'm pretty sure he's going to win.  But I really thought Pigott-Smith was magnificent in King Charles III; he might've had more of a chance to win had the play still been running.

BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY

My prediction:  Jessica Lange, Long Day's Journey into Night
My hope:  Lupita Nyong'o, Eclipsed

I'd actually be fine with anyone in this category winning (well, except for one gal, but I'll keep that name to myself since I've been mean enough already and will probably be mean again in a bit), but I thought Nyong'o was amazing as the young girl who tries to find herself in all the degradation of her life, but finds that taking power isn't quite what she thought it would be.  Nyong'o finds so many layers, it's wonderful.  And I would love to see her in many more plays, so a Tony might get her to come back sooner.

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

My prediction:  Danny Burstein, Fiddler on the Roof
My hope:  Zachary Levi, She Loves Me

Wait, what?!  I didn't pick EITHER of the guys from Hamilton??  I know.  Call me crazy.  I do think Odom has a huge chance here, but Burstein is so well-loved in the community, and his performance has been huzzahed from top to bottom, that I think it might be his year. Maybe voters will be thinking - we're voting for Hamilton everywhere else, let's give someone else some love.  Maybe.  Of course, I love me some charm, so I would love Levi to win here.  Charm.  Though, if charm were the only criteria, Lin-Manuel would win win win.  He's a charmer.

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

My prediction:  Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple
My hope:  Laura Benanti, She Loves Me

Again, haven't seen Purple, but I've heard Erivo tears the place apart night after night. But I just loved Benanti.  Oh well.

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

My prediction:  Reed Birney, The Humans
My hope:  Richard Goulding, King Charles III

May I just point out here that Richard Goulding did NOT receive a nomination from any other award body, but after I pointed him out in my Tony nominee prediction blog post, THEN he got a nom.  Coincidence?  I think not. I didn't know I had so much power!  :) Anyway, I'm on the record as having loved his performance, so I'm sticking with him.  He won't win.

BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

My prediction:  Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton
My hope:  Jennifer Simard, Disaster!

I have loved Goldsberry in several shows over the years, so I'm happy to see her win.  I'd also be happy to see Jane Krakowski win here.  But Jennifer Simard gave me more laughs and more joys in that dingaling show of hers than I've had in years.  So I'm rooting for her. 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN, PLAY

My prediction and hope:  Jane Greenwood, Long Day's Journey Into Night

I'm not sure, I think Greenwood has been nominated 77 times in this category but has never won.  It has to be her year, right???

BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

My prediction:  Joe Mantello, The Humans
My hope:  Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed

Again, woman of color.  Powerful statement.  Yes.  As long as I don't hear the name of the director of View From the Bridge/Crucible, I'll be happy.  Remember, I said I'd be mean again.

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

My prediction:  Thomas Kail, Hamilton
My hope:  Anyone but John Doyle.

Oop.  Oh my, I was mean yet again.  Sorry.

BEST ORCHESTRATIONS

My prediction and hope:  Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton

I worked with Alex once on one of my events here.  He was charming, delightful, kind and oh so talented.  I want to see him onstage.

Please, everyone pray with me that Best Book and Best Score will be on the broadcast this year.  I'm hoping with the Hamilton zeitgeist, things will be different and those important awards won't get relegated to the commercial breaks.  And if we could see Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori on that stage, too, maybe presenting to Lin-Manuel Miranda?  My night will be complete.  Good luck to everyone!