Kinky Boots (13 nominations) and Matilda (12 nominations) Lead the Tony Award Nominations

In what could be described as a bit of a lackluster year, no musicals or plays making too much of a tremendous splash, there is still some which step out, and have become seen as the best of the year.  In the musical category the two stand out (new) musicals of the season were Matilda, and Kinky Boots.  Both will probably do well, considering the weaker revival line-up with Pippin and surprisingly Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella getting the most in the revival category.  Annie was expected to get more, but only scored one nomination.  From what I have seen, and heard of the shows I would like to see Kinky Boots, and Pippin win.

Tom Hanks is on his way to that EGOT; he has the E, and the O, and I think this is where he adds the T.  Hanks is starring in the play Lucky Guy, which received the most nominations for a new play, along with Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.  These two are the front runners for this prize.  I would love to see Lucky Guy win as a tribute to the great work of the late Nora Ephron.  Golden Boy leads the nominations in the revival category with 8, but look out for Virginia Woolf, this revival is the one to beat!

So obviously the next question is who was snubbed?  Sigourney Weaver was the biggest snub of the day in my book, I was shocked not to hear her name called.  Motown: The Musical, also missed out, and after a last minute box office surge right before the Tony Awards.  I swore it would have knocked out Bring it On or A Christmas Story, but Motown lost out to these two.  The curse of Macbeth continues, Alan Cumming was snubbed.  Annie only receiving one one nomination was also very surprising, and no Anthony Warlow too.

Best Play
The Assembled Parties
Lucky Guy
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Best Revival of a Play
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to the Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Musical 
Bring it On: The Musical
A Christmas Story
Kinky Boots
Matilda 

Best Revival of a Musical 
Annie
Pippin
The Myster of Edwin Drood
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Actor in a Play 
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tom Sturridge, Orphans

Best Actress in a Play 
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Amy Morton, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Featured Actor in a Play 
Danny Burstein, Golden Boy
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy

Best Featured Actress in a Play 
Carrie Coon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Actor in a Musical 
Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical
Santino Fontana, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots

Best Actress in a Musical 
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Valisia LeKae, Motown The Musical
Patina Miller, Pippin
Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Best Featured Actor in a Musical 
Charl Brown, Motown The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Gabriel Ebert, Matilda The Musical
Terrence Mann, Pippin

Best Featured Actress in a Musical 
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Lauren Ward, Matilda The Musical

Best Direction of a Play 
Pam MacKinnon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Bartlett Sher, Golden Boy
George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy

Best Direction of a Musical 
Scott Ellis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for Theatre

A Christmas Story, The MusicalMusic and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Hands on a HardbodyMusic: Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green
Lyrics: Amanda Green

Kinky BootsMusic & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper

Matilda The MusicalMusic & Lyrics: Tim Minchin

Best Book of a Musical 

A Christmas Story, The MusicalJoseph Robinette

Kinky BootsHarvey Fierstein

Matilda The MusicalDennis Kelly

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CinderellaDouglas Carter Beane

Full nomination tally:
“Kinky Boots” – 13
“Matilda The Musical” – 12
“Pippin” – 10
“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” – 9
“Golden Boy” – 8
“Lucky Guy” – 6
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” – 6
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” – 5
“The Nance” – 5
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” – 5
“Motown The Musical” – 4
“The Trip to Bountiful” – 4
“The Assembled Parties” – 3
“A Christmas Story, The Musical” – 3
“Hands on a Hardbody” – 3
“The Testament of Mary”- 3
“Bring It On: The Musical” – 2
“The Heiress” – 2
“Orphans “- 2
“Ann” – 1
“Annie” – 1
“The Big Knife” – 1
“Chaplin” – 1
“Cyrano de Bergerac” – 1
“The Other Place” – 1
“Scandalous” – 1

Tony Nomination Predictions

It makes me sad that I have not seen a brand new Broadway Play or Musical in over a year (I need to change that).  With that said I always pay attention to the shows of the season.  Tomorrow the Broadway community will have Sutton Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek, Anything Goes), and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) announce the nominees.  Who will make the cut?

Best Play 
"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"
"Lucky Guy"
"The Assembled Parties"
"The Nance"

Best Play Revival
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"
"The Trip to Bountiful"
"Golden Boy"
"Glengarry Glen Ross"

Best Actor in a Play 
Tom Hanks, "Lucky Guy"
David Hyde-Pierce, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"
Nathan Lane, "The Nance"
Alan Cumming, "Macbeth"
Tracy Letts, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"

Best Actress in a Play 
Cicely Tyson, "A Trip to Bountiful"
Bette Midler, "I'll Eat You Last"
Laurie Metcalf, "The Other Place"
Sigourney Weaver, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"
Holland Taylor, "Ann"

Best Musical 
"Matilda"
"Kinky Boots"
"Motown"
"A Christmas Story"

Best Musical Revival
"Pippin"
"Annie"
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood"
"Cinderella"

Best Actor in a Muscial 
Billy Porter, "Kinky Boots"
Bertie Carvel, "Matilda"
Brandon Victor Dixon, "Motown"
Anthony Warlow, "Annie"
Rob McClure, "Chaplin"

Best Actress in a Musical
Patina Miller, "Pippin"
Lilla Crawford, "Annie"
Laura Osnes, "Cinderella"
Stephanie J. Block, "Edwin Drood"
Carolee Carmello, "Scandalous"

Tony Awards Honor Once and Clybourne Park

Tonight Neil Patrick Harris took to the Tony stage for the third time, and like he stated the third time in the trilogy is when the series gets it right.  Harris as usual, sang and danced his way into the hearts of his audience.  While the show opened with a number from The Book of Mormon, when NPH took the stage he sang about the beauty of a life full where singing and dancing supported everyday life.  Like in a trilogy the number was not as great as the number he did last year, but it was solid.  Watching NPH mock Spiderman: Turn off the Dark by hanging upside down was another highlight of his hosting.  I love watching this man; he is one great award show host.


When it comes to the actual awards Once and Clybourne Park took the top honors in a predictable manner for Best Musical and Best Play.  Once won 7 other trophies (8 total) besting the strong favorite Newsies in several categories including Best Lead Actor in a Musical.  Steve Kazee won besting Jeremy Jordan and Danny Burstein the two favorites in the category.  Meanwhile Clybourne Park's win was the shows only win for the night.  The big winner for plays was the adaptation of the Peter Pan story entitled Peter and the Starcatcher, which won five trophies.


In the other lead acting categories there was also an upset in the Lead Actor in a Play category where the predicted winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Death of a Salesman) lost to James Corden from One Man, Two Guvners.  On the actress side Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur) bested the more famous women in her category, and won Best Actress in a Play.  Audra McDonald tied record making her one of the few people with five Tony awards for Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.  Although McDonald tied the record this was her first win in lead category.  In the revival categories Death of a Salesman won for Best Revival of a Play, and in a more surprising turn Gershwin's Porgy and Bess beat Follies to win the Best Revival of a Musical.

Choreography: Christopher Gattelli, "Newsies."

Orchestration: Martin Lowe, "Once."

Book of a Musical: Enda Walsh, "Once"

Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Judith Light, "Other Desert Cities."

Sound Design of a Musical: Clive Goodwin, "Once."

Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Michael McGrath, "Nice Work If You Can Get It."

Sound Design of a Play: Darron L. West, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Direction of a Musical: John Tiffany, "Once."

Direction of Play: Mike Nichols, "Death of a Salesman."

Costume Design of a Play: Paloma Young, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Christian Borle, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Costume Design of a Musical: Gregg Barnes, "Follies."

Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Judy Kaye, "Nice Work If You Can Get It."

Scenic Design Play: Donyale Werle, "Peter and the Starcatcher"

Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre: "Newsies."

Scenic Design of a Musical: Bob Crowley, "Once."

Revival of a Play: "Death of a Salesman."

Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz, "Once"

Play: "Clybourne Park."

Lighting Design of a Play: Jeff Croiter, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Revival of a Musical: "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Steve Kazee, "Once."

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: James Corden, "One Man, Two Guvnors."

Performance by an Actress in Leading Role in a Play: Nina Arianda, "Venus in Fur."

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Audra McDonald, "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."

Musical: "Once."

Predicting the Tony Awards! Not Many Sure Bets

Tonight Neil Patrick Harris is back as the host of the Tony Awards, with an opening number from The Book of Mormon, and lots of live performances from this years new musicals and revivals.  The Tony's always put on the best show, and tonight with NPH in toe I think it will be a fun year.  The other reason the show will be great is because unlike most years the award categories are more unpredictable than ever.

Best Musical
Leap of Faith 
Newsies 
Nice Work if you can Get it
Once 

This is the battle of two former movies, Newsies vs. Once.  Both have a great shot at winning.  Newsies is more likely to be a bigger commercial success while Once is the most nominated show of the night (11 nominations).  This reminds of the race between Wicked and Avenue Q, and the smaller show came out on top.  Newsies does not need to win here to make commercial success it has the shows name.  I think Once has more passionate support as well, and squeak out a win.

Prediction: Once
Very Close Second: Newsies

Best Play
Clybourne Park
Other Dessert Cities
Peter and the Starcatcher
Venus in Fur

From what I have heard every one of these plays has its ardent fan base.  Venus looks to be the biggest long shot, while many like it its a long shot. Peter the prequel to Peter Pan could be a massive spoiler, but the main race is between the other two plays.  While Other Dessert Cities has a strong chance, my money is on Clybourne Park a satire about race relations, and 2011 winner of the Pulitzer prize for drama.

Prediction: Clybourne Park
Very Close Second: Other Dessert Cities
Spoiler: Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Musical Revival
Evita
Follies
The Gershwins Porgy and Bess
Jesus Christ Superstar

Another two way horse race, this time between Follies and and Porgy and Bess.  Follies did not win during its original run, nor during its abysmal revival in the early 2000s, but this show had great reviews and was one of the best reviewed shows of the season.  While Porgy and Bess has a shot this is one place it seems Follies will clean up its much deserved trophy of the evening.

Predictions: Follies
Second in Line: Porgy and Bess

Best Revival of a Play 
Death of a Salesman
Gore Vidal's The Best Man 
Master Class
Wit

This is one of the sure bets of the evening, the Mike Nichols helmed versions is poised to take this honor with ease.

Best Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein-Follies
Jeremy Jordan-Newsies
Steve Kazee-Once
Norm Lewis-The Gershins Porgy and Bess
Ron Raines-Follies

Raines and Lewis should be honored for their nominations.  This is a tight race between the three other men.  Kazee has a shot being in a best musical nominee, but the other two men in this race are the ones to watch.  Jordan was in two shows and this would be a chance for Tony to honor a new young upcoming talent.  Meanwhile Danny is a Broadway Baby with three previous nominations and no wins.  This is a tight race.

Will Win: Jeremy Jordan-Newsies
Very Very Close Second-Danny Burstein
Spoiler Steve Kazee

Best Actor in a Play
James Corden-One Man Two Guvners
Phillip Seymour Hoffman-Death of a Salesman
James Earl Jones-The Best Man
Frank Langella-Man and Boy
John Lithgow-The Columnist

Cordern has a small chance to spoiler, but like in the Best Play category Hoffman moved audiences to tears and reminds the Tony people about the struggles of the working man.  Hoffman is one step closer to that elusice EGOT.

Prediction:Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Spoiler: James Corden

Best Actress in a Musical
Jan Maxwell-Follies
Audra McDonald-The Gershwins Porgy and Bess
Cristin Millioti-Once
Kelli O'Hara-Nice work if you can get it
Laura Osnes-Bonnie and Clyde

McDonald is on her way to becoming part of an elusive club, the 5 winner club, and at a young age this is an incredible feat.  The only spoiler in my mind is Jan Maxwell from Follies who was the best in my book.

Prediction: Audra McDonald
Spoiler: Jan Maxwell

Best Actress in a Play
Nina Arianda-Venus in Fur
Tracie Bennett-End of the Rainbow
Stockard Channing-Other Dessert Cities
Linda Lavin-The Other Lyons
Cynthia Nixon-Wit

Nixon who won this award a few years and she is the one already out of the race while the other four women battle out for the prize.  Logic says Bennett is the winner for her portrayal as Judy Garland just seems bound for glory, but my gut has told me that Arianda has such an ardent fan base, and that she is the hip pick.  Channing and Lavin still have a shot and are spoilers.

Predicition: Nina Arianda
Very Close Second: Tracie Bennett
Spoiler Linda Lavin and Stockard Channing

Other categories
Best Featured Actor in a Play-Christian Borle-Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Featured Actress in a Play-Judith Light-Other Dessert Cities
Best Featured Actor in a Musical-David Allan Grier-The Gershwins Porgy and Bess
Best Featured Actress in a Musical-Judy Kaye-Nice work if you can get it
Best Director (Play)-Mike Nichols-Death of a Salesman
Best Director (Musical)-Jeff Calhoun-Newsies
Best Musical Book-Once
Best Musical Score-Newsies
Best Choreography-Newsies

Tony Nominees Announced...Once Leads the Pack with 11

Today at 8:30 am (EST) Kristin Chenowith and Jim Parsons announced the nominees for the Tony Awards.  I have only seen one show this past season, and that was Follies.  I enjoyed the performances of this show immensely.  The show received 8 nominations in total.  The other shows that are on my list to see (which are still open) are Once and Evita.  Once is based on the film of the same title, and its a wonderful film.  Once leads the nominations with 11 nominations.  Newsies the odds on favorite up until today has 8 nominations, but with Disney behind it it still has a great shot of winning.  

The notable snubs are Matthew Broderick for Nice Work if you can get it, which received 10 nominations.  Bernadette Peters is getting a lifetime achievement award, but she was not nominated for Follies (she was the weakest of the main cast). A Streetcar Named Desire continues the curse and failed to get nominated for Best Revival of a Play.  Thankfully the Tony's did not see fit to nominated the web singer and its cast, and kept a shred of their dignity.  

I am excited to see this show with host Neil Patrick Harris in June.  Listed below is a full list of the nominees, and the nominations tally.  Post your thoughts in the comments section.

Best Play

Clybourne Park

Other Desert Cities

Peter and the Starcatcher

Venus in Fur

Best Musical

Leap of Faith

Newsies

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Once

Best Revival of a Play

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Gore Vidal’s The Best Man

Master Class

Wit

Best Revival of a Musical

Evita

Follies

The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess

Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Book of a Musical

Lysistrata Jones

Douglas Carter Beane

Newsies

Harvey Fierstein

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Joe DiPietro

Once

Enda Walsh

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Bonnie & Clyde

Music: Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics: Don Black

Newsies

Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Jack Feldman

One Man, Two Guvnors

Music & Lyrics: Grant Olding

Peter and the Starcatcher

Music: Wayne Barker
Lyrics: Rick Elice

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

James Corden, One Man, Two Guvnors
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
James Earl Jones, Gore Vidal’s The Best Man
Frank Langella, Man and Boy
John Lithgow, The Columnist

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Nina Arianda, Venus in Fur
Tracie Bennett, End of the Rainbow
Stockard Channing, Other Desert Cities
Linda Lavin, The Lyons
Cynthia Nixon, Wit

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Danny Burstein, Follies
Jeremy Jordan, Newsies
Steve Kazee, Once
Norm Lewis, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Ron Raines, Follies

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Jan Maxwell, Follies
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Cristin Milioti, Once
Kelli O’Hara, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Laura Osnes, Bonnie & Clyde

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Christian Borle, Peter and the Starcatcher
Michael Cumpsty, End of the Rainbow
Tom Edden, One Man, Two Guvnors
Andrew Garfield, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Jeremy Shamos, Clybourne Park

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Linda Emond, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Spencer Kayden, Don’t Dress for Dinner
Celia Keenan-Bolger, Peter and the Starcatcher
Judith Light, Other Desert Cities
Condola Rashad, Stick Fly

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Phillip Boykin, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Michael Cerveris, Evita
David Alan Grier, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Michael McGrath, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Josh Young, Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Elizabeth A. Davis, Once
Jayne Houdyshell, Follies
Judy Kaye, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Jessie Mueller, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Ghost the Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play

John Lee Beatty, Other Desert Cities
Daniel Ostling, Clybourne Park
Mark Thompson, One Man, Two Guvnors
Donyale Werle, Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Bob Crowley, Once
Rob Howell and Jon Driscoll, Ghost the Musical
Tobin Ost and Sven Ortel, Newsies
George Tsypin, Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark

Best Costume Design of a Play

William Ivey Long, Don’t Dress for Dinner
Paul Tazewell, A Streetcar Named Desire
Mark Thompson, One Man, Two Guvnors
Paloma Young, Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Follies
ESosa, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Eiko Ishioka, Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark
Martin Pakledinaz, Nice Work If You Can Get It

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Jeff Croiter, Peter and the Starcatcher
Peter Kaczorowski, The Road to Mecca
Brian MacDevitt, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Kenneth Posner, Other Desert Cities

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Christopher Akerlind, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Natasha Katz, Follies
Natasha Katz, Once
Hugh Vanstone, Ghost the Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play

Paul Arditti, One Man, Two Guvnors
Scott Lehrer, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Gareth Owen, End of the Rainbow
Darron L. West, Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Acme Sound Partners, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Clive Goodwin, Once
Kai Harada, Follies
Brian Ronan, Nice Work If You Can Get It

Best Choreography

Rob Ashford, Evita
Christopher Gattelli, Newsies
Steven Hoggett, Once
Kathleen Marshall, Nice Work If You Can Get It

Best Direction of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, One Man, Two Guvnors
Pam MacKinnon, Clybourne Park
Mike Nichols, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Direction of a Musical

Jeff Calhoun, Newsies
Kathleen Marshall, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Diane Paulus, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
John Tiffany, Once

Best Orchestrations

William David Brohn and Christopher Jahnke, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Bill Elliott, Nice Work If You Can Get It
Martin Lowe, Once
Danny Troob, Newsies

Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Emanuel Azenberg

Regional Theatre Award

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, D.C.

Isabelle Stevenson Award

Bernadette Peters

Special Tony Award

Actors’ Equity Association

Hugh Jackman

Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre

Freddie Gershon

Artie Siccardi

TDF Open Doors

Tony Nominations by Production

Once - 11

The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess - 10

Nice Work If You Can Get It - 10

Peter and the Starcatcher - 9

Follies - 8

Newsies - 8

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman - 7

One Man, Two Guvnors - 7

Other Desert Cities - 5

Clybourne Park - 4

End of the Rainbow - 3

Evita - 3

Ghost the Musical - 3

Bonnie & Clyde - 2

Don’t Dress for Dinner - 2

Gore Vidal’s The Best Man - 2

Jesus Christ Superstar - 2

Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark - 2

Venus in Fur - 2

Wit - 2

The Columnist - 1

Leap of Faith - 1

The Lyons - 1

Lysistrata Jones - 1

Man and Boy - 1

Master Class - 1

On A Clear Day You Can See Forever - 1

The Road to Mecca - 1

Stick Fly - 1

A Streetcar Named Desire - 1