With Drama Desk nominations now behind us, the "way too early" thread now nearing 20 pages in length, and the Tony Award nominations set to be announced in just five days, I figured now is the time to distill peoples' thoughts/predictions to one coherent thread, and have the official nominations thread set up and ready to go. We can make a new one in June for the award ceremony/winners themselves, but consider this the official NOMINATIONS thread.
Until Tuesday, feel free to post your final nomination predictions here or continue to bounce around your thoughts.
Nominations Announcement: Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 a.m., announced by Patina Miller and Andrew Rannells
I'll probably still continue to update my predictions, but here they are as of right now...
Best Musical: Hamilton School of Rock Shuffle Along... Waitress
Potential Spoiler: On Your Feet!
Best Play: Eclipsed The Father The Humans King Charles III
Best Revival of a Musical: The Color Purple Fiddler on the Roof She Loves Me
If There's a Fourth Slot: Spring Awakening
Best Revival of a Play: The Crucible Long Day’s Journey Into Night Noises Off A View From the Bridge
Potential Spoiler: Blackbird
Best Performance By a Leading Actor in a Musical: Alex Brightman-School of Rock Danny Burstein-Fiddler on the Roof Lin-Manuel Miranda-Hamilton Leslie Odom, Jr.-Hamilton Benjamin Walker-American Psycho
Potential Spoiler: Zachary Levi-She Loves Me
Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Musical: Laura Benanti-She Loves Me Cynthia Erivo-The Color Purple Audra McDonald-Shuffle Along... Jessie Mueller-Waitress Phillipa Soo-Hamilton
Potential Spoiler(s): Carmen Cusack-Bright Star; Ana Villafane-On Your Feet!
Best Performance By a Leading Actor in a Play: Gabriel Byrne-Long Day’s Journey Into Night Jeff Daniels-Blackbird Frank Langella-The Father Tim Pigott-Smith-King Charles III Mark Strong-A View From the Bridge
Potential Spoiler: Ben Whishaw-The Crucible
Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Play: Jessica Lange-Long Day’s Journey Into Night Lupita Nyong’o-Eclipsed Sophie Okonedo-The Crucible Nicola Walker-A View From the Bridge Michelle Williams-Blackbird
Potential Spoiler: Laurie Metcalfe-Misery
Best Performance By a Featured Actor in a Musical: Gavin Creel-She Loves Me Daveed Diggs-Hamilton Jonathan Groff-Hamilton Christopher Jackson-Hamilton Billy Porter-Shuffle Along...
Potential Spoiler(s): Christopher Fitzgerald-Waitress; Adam Kantor-Fiddler on the Roof
Best Performance By a Featured Actress in a Musical: Danielle Brooks-The Color Purple Renee Elise Goldsberry-Hamilton Jennifer Hudson-The Color Purple Jane Krakowski-She Loves Me Jennifer Simard-Disaster!
Potential Spoiler(s): Jessica Hecht-Fiddler on the Roof; Lesli Margherita-Dames at Sea
Best Performance By a Featured Actor in a Play: Reed Birney-The Humans John Gallagher, Jr.-Long Day’s Journey Into Night Ciaran Hinds-The Crucible Michael Shannon-Long Day’s Journey Into Night Russell Tovey-A View From the Bridge
Potential Spoiler(s): David Furr-Noises Off; Richard Goulding-King Charles III
Best Performance By a Featured Actress in a Play: Pascale Armand-Eclipsed Megan Hilty-Noises Off Jayne Houdyshell-The Humans Saoirse Ronan-The Crucible Saycon Sengbloh-Eclipsed
Potential Spoiler(s): Phoebe Fox-A View From the Bridge; Zainab Jah-Eclipsed; Lydia Wilson-King Charles III
Best Direction of a Musical: John Doyle-The Color Purple Scott Ellis-She Loves Me Thomas Kail-Hamilton Bartlett Sher-Fiddler on the Roof George C. Wolfe-Shuffle Along...
Best Direction of a Play: Rupert Goold-King Charles III Jonathan Kent-Long Day’s Journey Into Night Joe Mantello-The Humans Liesl Tommy-Eclipsed Ivo van Hove-A View From the Bridge
Potential Spoiler: Jeremy Herrin-Noises Off
Best Original Score: Bright Star-Music By Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Lyrics By Edie Brickell Hamilton-Music & Lyrics By Lin-Manuel Miranda School of Rock-Music By Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics By Glenn Slater Waitress-Music & Lyrics By Sara Bareilles
Best Book of a Musical: Hamilton-Lin-Manuel Miranda School of Rock-Julian Fellowes Shuffle Along...-George C. Wolfe Waitress-Jessie Nelson
Best Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler-Hamilton Warren Carlyle-She Loves Me Savion Glover-Shuffle Along... Hofesh Shechter-Fiddler on the Roof Sergio Trujillo-On Your Feet!
Potential Spoiler(s): Spencer Liff-Spring Awakening; Randy Skinner-Dames at Sea
Best Orchestrations: Joseph Joubert-The Color Purple Alex Lacamoire-Hamilton Ted Sperling-Fiddler on the Roof Daryl Waters-Shuffle Along...
Potential Spoiler(s): Sara Bareilles & the Waitress Band-Waitress;August Eriksmoen-Bright Star; Larry Hochman-She Loves Me
I'm not going to post a list of every category... but aside from the locks, here are my big hopes:
• Carmen Cusack in leading actress in a musical. I want this for her so badly. (I'd frankly be fine with her bumping Audra.)
• Spring Awakening for direction and choreography, and (fingers crossed for a 4-nominee tie!) Best Revival.
• I'm sure it won't get all three, but Megan Hilty, Andrea Martin, and Rob McClure for Noises Off
• Danielle Brooks for featured actress... and, long shot (!), Joaquina Kalukango. Stranger things have happened. I'm fine with Hudson not being nominated, even though I thought she was great.
• Relatedly, Isaiah Johnson for featured actor. I don't think Jonathan Groff should be nominated this year, which I say as a fan of his. There are just too many stronger choices.
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson for Best Actor in a Play. I saw it last night and to be honest thought he was a little bit miscast. But MAN is he giving it his all, and I'd love to see him recognized for that. It's such a competitive category this year... no guarantees.
Mostly, I just want them to spread the love. Hamilton is revolutionary (heh) and wonderful, but to me its biggest strength is in its concept, writing, and out-of-the-box casting. I do think it should win Best Musical and Book/Score (at least), but I'm hoping the other categories are spread out a bit. It's a hell of a season, and there are so many other deserving shows and performances.
Loved King Charles III. Does it have a chance of winning, since it closed earlier in the season? Seems people only remember the shows that are still playing at the time of the Tony Awards.
MadonnaMusical said: "Does anyone have a full list of everything that's eligible in every category? Someone posted one last year and it was very helpful."
If a list like this comes to fruition, it won't be valid until after tomorrow, when the nominating committee is expected to have its final rulings meeting (to decide on most recently opened productions—importantly, Shuffle Along).
MadonnaMusical said: "Does anyone have a full list of everything that's eligible in every category? Someone posted one last year and it was very helpful."
I believe the final Committee meeting to determine eligibility occurs tomorrow so we will have the final list of category placements and eligibility then.
The only two listed as TBD on the Tony site are Fully Committed and Shuffle Along. So that gives us:
Best Play: Act of God China Doll Eclipsed The Father The Humans King Charles III Misery Our Mother's Brief Affair Therese Raquin
Best Musical: Allegiance Amazing Grace American Psycho Bright Star Disaster! Hamilton On Your Feet! School of Rock Tuck Everlasting Waitress
Best Revival of a Play: The Crucible A View from the Bridge Blackbird Fool for Love The Gin Game Hughie Long Day's Journey Into Night Noises Off Old Times Sylvia
Best Revival of a Musical: The Color Purple Dames at Sea Fiddler on the Roof She Loves Me Spring Awakening
Plus the two TBD shows in whatever category they fall.
for the most part I completely agree with Jeffrey save for one or two spots here or there... the only thing that could throw it completely off is SHUFFLE being deemed a revival... either way I doubt it would be nominated for best book considering that is the main obstacle the show has been trying to overcome.
Here are my guesses/wish lists. (I have not seen China Doll, Our Mother's Brief Affair, Allegiance, Amazing Grace, Disaster!, Tuck Everlasting, Fool for Love, Gin Game, Hughie, Old Times, Fully Committed, or Shuffle Along, so I'm just basing anything from those shows on what I've heard/read. The only one of those I may see before nominations come out is Tuck Everlasting.) These could be totally inaccurate but I might as well join in the predicting fun. :)
Best New Musical (I'm predicting a tie gets us 5 nominees, but if not I think American Psycho might be out, although I'd like to see it get a nomination since it was my second-favorite new musical this season) American Psycho Hamilton School of Rock Waitress Shuffle Along Would like to see: Bright Star
Best Revival of a Musical The Color Purple Fiddler on the Roof She Loves Me Would Like to See: Spring Awakening
Best Play (doesn't seem to be a lot of disagreement for this category) Eclipsed The Father The Humans King Charles III
Best Revival of a Play Blackbird The Crucible Noises Off A View from the Bridge (Definitely not on my wish list for a nomination, but I know it will end up getting one) Could possibly see: Long Day's Journey Into Night, but I think it's more likely to be rewarded in the acting categories given the reviews
Best Score: Bright Star Hamilton School of Rock Waitress Would like to see: American Psycho
Best Book (honestly seems to me to be a pretty weak category so I wouldn't be surprised at whatever is nominated) American Psycho Hamilton Shuffle Along Waitress
Best Choreography (I don't know all the names for choreographers/directors, so I'm just using show names) American Psycho Hamilton On Your Feet Shuffle Along Spring Awakening
Best Direction of a Musical The Color Purple Fiddler on the Roof Hamilton Shuffle Along Spring Awakening Would like to see: American Psycho, She Loves Me
Best Direction of a Play: Eclipsed The Humans King Charles III Noises Off A View from the Bridge Would Like to See: Ivan Van Hove for the Crucible rather than a View from the Bridge, which I didn't particularly like, but I know that's not the common view. I could also see him getting nominated twice, and Noises Off being left off.
Best Leading Actress in a Musical (Really hoping for a tie--if not, I predict Cusack gets in and upsets either Soo or McDonald for a nomination.) Laura Benenti (She Loves Me) Carmen Cusack (Bright Star) Cynthia Erivo (the Color Purple) Audra McDonald (Shuffle Along) Jessie Mueller (Waitress) Philippa Soo (Hamilton)
Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Alex Brightman (School of Rock) Danny Burstein (Fiddler) Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) Benjamin Walker (American Psycho) Would like to see: Zachary Levi (She Loves Me)
Best Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple) Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) Jennifer Hudson (The Color Purple) Jane Krakowski (She Loves Me) Lesli Margherita (Dames at Sea) Would like to see: Jasmine Cephas Jones (Hamilton--that will never happen but I think she's a future star), Helene York (American Psycho), Keala Settle or Kimiko Glenn (Waitress)
Featured Actor in a Musical: Daveed Diggs (Hamilton) Christopher Fitzgerald (Waitress) Christopher Jackson (Hamilton) Terrance Mann (Tuck Everlasting) Paul Alexander Nolan (Bright Star--assuming he's in featured; if he's lead I'd love to see him recognized, but I have no idea who else I could imagine getting bumped from that list) Would like to see: Jonathan Groff (Hamilton)--I actually think Jackson has a better chance, Oak (Hamilton), Kyle Scatliffe (The Color Purple), Adam Kantor (Fiddler)
Best Leading Actress in a Play: Annaleigh Ashford (Sylvia) Jessica Lange (Long Day's Journey Into Night) Lupita Nyong'o (Eclipsed) Sophie Okonedo (The Crucible) Michelle Williams (Blackbird)
Best Leading Actor in a Play: Gabriel Byrne (Long Day's Journey Into Night) Jeff Daniels (Blackbird) Frank Langella (the Father) Tim Pigott-Smith (King Charles III) Mark Strong (View from the Bridge) Would like to see: Ben Winshaw (the Crucible)
Best Featured Actress in a Play Pascale Armand (Eclipsed) Megan Hilty (Noises Off) Jane Houdyshell (the Human) Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed) Saoirse Ronan (the Crucible) Would like to see: Zainab Jah (Eclipsed--she was actually my favorite in the play)
Best Featured Actor in a Play Reed Birney (the Humans) Richard Goulding (King Charles III) Michael Shannon (Long Day's Journey) David Furr (Noises Off) Bill Camp (the Crucible) Would like to see: Rob McClure (Noises Off)
I think y'all are giving a little too much love to Shuffle Along. I expect it to be left of Best Musical, hopefully Bright Star or American Psycho will take its place.
Eclipsed, The Father, the Humans and King Charles III
Best Musical
Hamilton, School of Rock, Shuffle Along... and Waitress
Best Revival - Play
The Crucible, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Noises Off and A View From the Bridge
Best Revival - Musical
The Color Purple, Fiddler On The Roof, She Loves Me and Spring Awakening
Best Score
Bright Star, Hamilton, School of Rock and Waitress
Best Book
Bright Star, Hamilton, School of Rock and Waitress
Director - Play
Jonathan Kent, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Joe Mantello, The Humans; Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed; Ivo van Hove, The Crucible; and Ivo van Hove, A View From the Bridge
Director - Musical
Michael Arden, Spring Awakening; John Doyle, The Color Purple; Scott Ellis, She Loves Me; Thomas Kail, Hamilton; and Diane Paulus, Waitress
Choreography
Hamilton; On Your Feet!; She Loves Me; Shuffle Along...; and Spring Awakening
Orchestrations
The Color Purple; Hamilton; School of Rock; Shuffle Along... and Waitress
Actor - Play
Gabriel Byrne, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Frank Langella, The Father; Tim Pigott-Smith, King Charles III; Mark Strong, A View From the Bridge; and Ben Whishaw, The Crucible
Actress - Play
Jessica Lange, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Lupita Nyong'o, Eclipsed; Sophie Okonedo, The Crucible; Nicola Walker, A View From the Bridge; and Michelle Williams, Blackbird
Actor - Musical
Alex Brightman, School of Rock; Danny Burstein, Fiddler On The Roof; Zachary Levi, She Loves Me; Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton; and Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton
Featured Actor - Play
Reed Birney, The Humans; Bill Camp, The Crucible; David Furr, Noises Off; Michael Shannon, Long Day's Journey Into Night; and Russell Tovey, A View From the Bridge
Featured Actress - Play
Megan Hilty, Noises Off; Jayne Houdyshell, The Humans; Zainab Jah, Eclipsed; Saoirse Ronan, The Crucible; and Saycon Sengbloh, Eclipsed
Featured Actor - Musical
Nicholas Barasch, She Loves Me; Daveed Diggs, Hamilton; Christopher Fitzgerald, Waitress; Jonathon Groff, Hamilton; and Christopher Jackson, Hamilton
Featured Actress - Musical
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple; Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton; Jennifer Hudson, The Color Purple; Jane Krakowski, She Loves Me; and Keala Settle, Waitress
Scenic Design - Play
Fully Committed; The Humans; Noises Off; and Therese Raquin
Scenic Design - Musical
Hamilton; She Loves Me; Tuck Everlasting; and Waitress
Costume Design - Play
Eclipsed; King Charles III; Long Day's Journey Into Night; and Therese Raquin
Costume Design - Musical
Hamilton; On Your Feet!; She Loves Me and Shuffle Along...
Lighting Design - Play
Eclipsed; The Humans; Noises Off; and Therese Raquin
Lighting Design - Musical
American Psycho; Hamilton; She Loves Me; and Shuffle Along...