Best Play thoughts?

Any early ideas on what will win? For some reason, this category really interests me this year.

With ENRON (which was, in my mind considered the front-runner from the day it was announced) splitting the critics, not getting nominated, and closing this week, what do you guys think will win?

I liked Next Fall and Vibrator the best. I would choose Next Fall. But I have a feeling it will be Red.

Red

It seriously baffles me how anyone could like the inane simplicity of NEXT FALL more than the smart and searing drama of RED. But I digress, to each his own and that's not the point of the thread anyways.

At least we can agree on MEMPHIS (I just read your signature LMAO).

Honestly, I think it's between Vibrator Play, Next Fall, and Red at this point (even though I adore Time Stands Still). It's probably going to go to something that's open, but it could go to Ruhl since she was a Pulitzer finalist and a critics darling. I feel like the Best Play award always goes to something that has a really strong dramatic hook. Talky plays typically don't win. Look at the past few: God of Carnage, August: Osage County, Coast of Utopia, The History Boys, Doubt. Even the talky ones (Coast of Utopia, History Boys, Doubt) have a dramatic hook that really grabs at the audience and, presumably, the voters. For that reason I would think a play like Red wouldn't win. But who knows. I still think Next Fall gets it, but I think it's really a toss up at this point.

I'm rooting for RED, personally.

Fela is excellent but it is not for everyone but the play will be difficult Red will win.

Based on reviews, box office, etc. I would say Red will take it. Historically, though, it seems that the only time limited-run plays (like Red) win is when they're a big "event" like The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby or The Coast of Utopia. Since Red doesn't seem to fit in that category, and since there's been no mention of an extension, I wouldn't be completely surprised if Next Fall managed to take it.

screw it...i dont care if it's closed...TIME STANDS STILL was the best play of the season imo, and am thrilled it was remembered.

RED put me to sleep, and was more of a college classroom history lesson than a well told play.

NEXT FALL was amateurish writing at best and felt like a 1980s movie of the week or after school special...not even a lifetime 2010 movie of the week.

IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY would be my runner up after TIME STANDS STILL, but I do think TSS was the best written play of the season and think its high time that Donald Margulies, one of our best current living playwrights is honored with a TONY award.

JMO.

Best Play is usually given to the most commercially viable choice, so I'd put my money on Red.

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I don't know. I think NEXT FAll might win. I mean, it's written by an American, and I don't know, but I feel like that has some sort of clout. Maybe not, but it just seems like something that would grab voters more than RED, even though it's a more financially successful show. And IN THE NEXT ROOM didn't really do well, so it might be all but forgotten.

I think Red should win, but Next Fall will win. I just can't see them voting for a show that has closed (no matter how wonderful the production was).