Tony Predictions and Winners

• The results are in. 
• By Joel Markowitz

June 13 — This year’s Tony Awards promises to be better than ever; Broadway is showing its best with 13 big production numbers and a real neck and neck race to the finish in some categories.

Here are predictions from a panel of some of our favorite theatre reporters. First, their comments, followed by a summary of the voting. Don’t forget to make your own predictions at the end, then tune in to CBS this Sunday, June 15^th starting at 8 pm ET to see who wins. UPDATE:  June 15 — Winners are announced in red.

THE DISCUSSION                                 

Joel Markowitz DC Theatre Scene

“Will The Tony voters go for the critic’s darling Passing Strange, or the high-energy traditional Broadway-type musical In the Heights? Many of them will think about which show will sell on the road, so the edge is to In the Heights. (I love this show, and I hope it sweeps the Awards.)  The revival of South Pacific will share the most musical awards with In The Heights. Watch for the Pulitzer Prize winner August: Osage County to do well in the play categories. A possible upset? Daniel Breaker beating Boyd Gaines. I’ve had this recurrent dream of Kelli O’Hara tying with Patti LuPone. Can dreams come true? We’ll find out on Sunday.”

Jayne Blanchard Washington Times

“I would like “Passing Strange” to win big, as well as “Rock and Roll,” but I think there is a lot of momentum surrounding “In the Heights” and “August Osage County” and they will get most of the awards.”

Peter Filichia Peter Filichia’s Diary, Theatremania.

“The shoo-ins are Patti LuPone as Best Musical Actress, SOUTH PACIFIC Best Musical Revival, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY best play, Deanna Dunagan Best Play Actress, Bartlett Sher for Best Musical Director, and Anna D. Shapiro for Best Play Director.

But after those, anything’s up for grabs. IN THE HEIGHTS should win Best Musical, but PASSING STRANGE has been picking up some enthusiastic response since it made a big effort to invite voters back. (IN THE HEIGHTS didn’t.) I see HEIGHTS squeaking by in the book and score categories, but Douglas Carter Beane has a lot of support for his XANADU book.

I see Paolo Szot as Best Musical Actor, though Daniel Evans has plenty of admirers. Laura Benanti should be Best Featured Musical Actress, but De’Adre Aziza has her fans. Daniel Breaker is Best Featured Musical Actor, though he has tough competition from Danny Burstein and Christopher Fitzgerald, either of whom could sneak in. Patrick Stewart for MACBETH (I’m not in a theater, so I can say it) deserves it more than Mark Rylance for BOEING-BOEING, and I’ll make that same choice for Best Play Revival. Supporting Play People? Martha Plimpton, almost as a body of work prize. And I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Tony voters will make it up to Raul Esparza for that stunning last-second take-away of last year.”

Susan Berlin Talkin Broadway

“What to watch for: August: Osage County and South Pacific are going to bring home the most awards, and Gypsy will sweep its acting categories with wins for Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, and Boyd Gaines. (Daniel Breaker is a great talent, but this is his first Tony nomination and it won’t be his last.) Raúl Esparza will get the Tony this year (for The Homecoming) that he didn’t get last year for Company.

One upset: Best Book, Douglas Carter Beane for Xanadu. While I loved In the Heights, I laughed more at Xanadu than at any other show I’ve seen in a long time.”

Richard Seff  DCTS’s NY Theatre Buzz

“My thoughts on upsets. I dunno. Maybe Kelli Ohara will win over Patti LuPone.That would be an upset, no? I think Laura Benanti and Boyd Gaines should win, but they probably won’t , so that would be an upset – for me. Arthur Laurents should win but nobody likes him so Bartlett Sher might win, for he did a fine job too.

I’m no good on the ‘smaller’ awards — don’t know enough about sound, lighting, orchestrations etc. so I tend to vote for personal favorites. Wish there was a sound engineer award so I could give the booby prize to whoever did YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, LEGALLY BLONDE and XANADU. And a real prize to the guy who did SOUTH PACIFIC and a few others.”

James Howard BroadwayWorld

“Look for Tony voters to be more conventional/traditional in their voting this year.  They voted the “modern ticket” last year with Spring Awakening, and are probably satisfied that they recognized Passing Strange with nominations.  (I still don’t see the appeal there.)  In the Heights is a wonderful show, worthy of all of its accolades, but I still would be thrilled if Xanadu won the big prize – it is the most fun, complete musical in years.  That would be a huge upset, but I’m going with Daniel Breaker – the only outstanding thing about Passing Strange – over perrenial favorite Boyd Gaines from Gypsy.”

Gary McMillan DC Theatre Scene

I didn’t see Passing Strange, so a lot of my musical choices are shows I have seen.

I guessed a lot on the play awards, too. Sunday In The Park With George was visually stunning, and I think it will win many technical awards. I can’t imagine Patti LuPone losing, but stranger things have happened at the Tonys – right, Tonya Pinkins and Wicked?

HERE ARE THE NOMINEES AND OUR PREDICTIONS!

• Best Play:
• WINNER: August: Osage County
• Joel:     August: Osage County
• Peter:   August: Osage County
• Jayne:  Rock ‘n’ Roll
• Susan:  August: Osage County
• James: August: Osage County
• Gary:    August: Osage County
• Best Musical:
• WINNER:  IN THE HEIGHTS
  Joel:      In the Heights
• Peter:     In the Heights or Passing Strange
• Jayne:    Passing trange
• Susan:   In the Heights
• James:  In the Heights
• Gary:     In the Heights
• Best Book of a Musical
• WINNER:  PASSING STRANGE
  Joel:    Xanadu, Douglas Carter Beane
• Peter:  In the Heights, Quiara Allegria Hudes
• Jayne: Passing Strange, Stew
• Susan: Xanadu, Douglas Carter Beane
• James: Xanadu, Douglas Carter Beane
• Gary:   In the Heights, Quiara Allegria Hudes
• Best Original Score
• WINNER:  IN THE HEIGHTS
  Joel:      In the Heights, Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Peter:    In the Heights, Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Jayne:   Passing Strange, Music: Stew and Heidi Rodewald Lyrics: Stew
• Susan:  In the Heights, Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• James:  In the Heights, Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
  Gary:    In the Heights, Music & Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Best Revival of a Play
• WINNER:  BOEING-BOEING
  Joel:      Boeing-Boeing
• Peter:    Boeing-Boeing
• Jayne:   Boeing-Boeing
• Susan:  Boeing-Boeing
• James:  Boeing-Boeing
  Gary:    The Homecoming
• Best Revival of a Musical
• WINNER:  SOUTH PACIFIC
  Joel:       Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Peter:    Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Jayne:   Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Susan:  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• James:  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
  Gary:     Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• WINNER:  MARK RYLANCE
  Joel:     Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing
• Peter:   Patrick Stewart, Macbeth
• Jayne:  Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
• Susan:  Patrick Stewart, Macbeth
• James: Patrick Stewart, Macbeth
• Gary:    Laurence Fishborne, Thurgood
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• WINNER:  DEANNA DUNAGAN
  Joel:      Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County
• Jayne:   Eve Best, The Homecoming
• Susan:  Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County
  James:  S. Epatha Merkerson, Come Back, Little Sheba
  Gary:     S. Epatha Merkerson, Come Back, Little Sheba
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• WINNER:  PAULO SZOT
  Joel      Paulo Szot, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Peter:   Paulo Szot, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Jayne:  Stew, Passing Strange
• Susan:  Paulo Szot, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• James:  Paulo Szot, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Gary:    Lin-Manuel Miranda, In the Heights
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• WINNER:  PATTI LUPONE
  Joel:      Patti LuPone, Gypsy
• Peter:    Patti LuPone, Gypsy
• Jayne:   Kelli O’Hara, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Susan:  Patti LuPone, Gypsy
• James:  Patti LuPone, Gypsy
• Gary:     Patti LuPone, Gypsy
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• WINNER:  JIM NORTON, The Seafarer
  Joel:      Raúl Esparza, The Homecoming
• Peter:    Raúl Esparza, The Homecoming
• Jayne:   Conleth Hill, The Seafarer
• Susan:  Raúl Esparza, The Homecoming
• James:  Raúl Esparza, The Homecoming
• Gary:     David Pittu, Is He Dead?
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• WINNER:  RONDI REED
  Joel:     Rondi Reed, August: Osage County
• Peter:   Martha Plimpton, Top Girls
• Jayne:  Sinead Cusack, Rock ‘n’ Roll
• Susan:  Rondi Reed, August: Osage County
• James: Rondi Reed, August: Osage County
• Gary:    Martha Plimpton, Top Girls
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• WINNER:  BOYD GAINES
  Joel:      Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
• Peter:    Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
  Jayne:   Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
• Peter:    Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
• Susan:  Boyd Gaines, Gypsy 
• James:  Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange
• Gary:     Boyd Gaines, Gypsy 
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• WINNER:  LAURA BENANTI
  Joel:     Laura Benanti, Gypsy
• Peter:   Laura Benanti, Gypsy
• Jayne:  Andrea Martin, The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein
• Susan:  Laura Benanti, Gypsy
• James:  Laura Benanti, Gypsy
  Gary:     Olga Merediz, In The Heights
• Best Direction of a Play
• WINNER:  ANNA D. SHAPIRO
  Joel:     Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
• Peter:   Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
• Susan:  Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
• Jayne:  Conor McPherson, The Seafarer
  James: Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
• Gary:    Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
• Best Direction of a Musical
• WINNER:  BARTLETT SHER
  Joel:      Bartlett Sher, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Peter:    Bartlett Sher, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Jayne:   Bartlett Sher, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Susan:  Bartlett Sher, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• James:  Bartlett Sher, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Gary:    Sam Buntrock, Sunday in the Park With George
• Best Choreography
• WINNER:  ANDY BLANKENBUEHLER
• Joel:      Andy Blankenbuehler, In the Heights
• Jayne:   Rob Ashford, Cry-Baby
• Susan:   Rob Ashford, Cry-Baby
• James:   Rob Ashford, Cry-Baby
• Gary:      Andy Blankenbuehler, In the Heights
• Best Orchestrations
• WINNERS:  ALEX LACAMOIRE & BILL SHERMAN
  Joel:      Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman, In the Heights
• Jayne:   Stew and Heidi Rudenwald, Passing Strange
• Susan:  Stew and Heidi Rudenwald, Passing Strange
• James:  Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman, In the Heights
• Gary:     Alex Lacamoire & Bill Sherman, In the Heights
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• WINNER:  TODD ROSENTHAL
  Joel:      Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
• Jayne:    Todd Rosenthal, August: Osage County
• Susan:   Todd Rosenthal, August: Osage County
• James:   Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
• Gary:      Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• WINNER:  MICHAEL YEARGAN, South Pacific
  Joel:      David Farley and Timothy Bird & The Knifedge Creative Network,
•                 Sunday in the Park with George
• Jayne:   Robin Wagner, The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein
• Susan:  Michael Yeargan, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• James:  David Farley and Timothy Bird & The Knifedge Creative Network,
•                  Sunday in the Park with George
  Gary:     David Farley and Timothy Bird & The Knifedge Creative Network,
•                 Sunday in the Park with George
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• WINNER:  KATRINA LINDSAY
  Joel:       Katrina Lindsay, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
• Jayne:   Rob Howell, Boeing-Boeing
• Susan:   David Farley, Sunday in the Park with George
• James:  Gregory Gale, Cyrano de Bergerac
• Gary:     TIE
•                  Katrina Lindsay, Les Liaisons Dangereuses & Gregory Gale, Cyrano de Bergerac
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• WINNER:  CATHERINE ZUBER
  Joel:      Catherine Zuber, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Jayne:    Paul Tazewell, In the Heights
• Susan:   David Farley, Sunday In The Park With George
• James:  Catherine Zuber, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Gary:     David Farley, Sunday In The Park With George
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• WINNER:  KEVIN ADAMS
  Joel:      Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
• Susan:   Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
• James:  Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
• Gary:     Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• WINNER:  DONALD HOLDER
  Joel:      Donald Holder, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Jayne:   Ken Billington, Sunday In The Park with George 
• Susan:  Ken Billington, Sunday In The Park with George 
• James:  Donald Holder, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Gary:     Ken Billington, Sunday In The Park With George 
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• WINNER:  MIC POOL
  Joel:     Mic Pool, The 39 Steps
• Jayne:  Ian Dickson, Rock ‘n’ Roll
• Susan:  Adam Cork, Macbeth
• James:  Mic Pool, The 39 Steps
• Gary:    Simon Baker, Boeing-Boeing
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• WINNER:  SCOTT LEHRER
  Joel:      Scott Lehrer, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Jayne:   Scott Lehrer, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Susan:  Scott Lehrer, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• James:  Scott Lehrer, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
• Gary:     Dan Moses Schreier, Gypsy