My 2008 Tony predictions, right at this point in time (Musical)

I agree with most except I definitely don't think Xanadu deserves, or will win best book.

The jury's out as far as SOUTH PACIFIC is concerned. I have yet to make my way to the Beaumont (with hiiiigh hopes of making the venture much, much sooner than later!) I'd like to think that the toughest ones to call are Lead Actor and Actress. I have an inkling that Mr. Tom Wopat will offer some stiff competition, and of course, my main man, Daniel Breaker of PASSING STRANGE acclaim, and then there's Mr. Music himself, Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda. What of James Snyder? Must we push the hiiiighly-praised Daniel Evans for his work in SUNDAY? Hmm... As for Leading Actress, I say it'll come down to PATTI, Jenna Russell and Faith Prince. Just my .02, of course!

Updated On: 3/9/08 at 11:03 PM

Most of that seems pretty accurate, although I gotta say lighting will go to Passing Strange,

Also, I would give director of a musical to Buntrock for SUNDAY.

Don't count out Boyd Gaines for featured actor, and don't count out Faith Prince and Jenna Russell for lead actress.

Yankeefan is saying at THIS point, so all "Catered Affair" affiliated things to count at the moment.

I still think that Jenna Russell is far superior in "SUNDAY" then Patti in "GYPSY."

---

I think SUNDAY could take set design.

---

Also, while I agree Choreography probably go to HEIGHTS...I wouldn't count out XANADU.

I still wouldn't count out XANADU for Best Musical, neither.

---

I think IN THE HEIGHTS for best musical. It'll probably get favorable reviews, and it's the most commerical of all the new musicals (I know I'm overlooking Cry-Baby, but I just dont' see it getting raves. The music doesn't seem to be that great).

Leading Actress - Patti LuPone, Gypsy
Featured Actress - Laura Benanti, Gypsy

These are my predictions and some are just guesses:

Set design- South Pacific
Lighting- Passing Strange
Sound-Passing Strange
Costumes-Cry-Baby
Choreography-In The Heights
Direction-Sunday...George
Score-In The Heights
Book-A Catered Affair
Orchestrations- Passing Strange
Actor-Lin-Manuel Miranda or Stew*
Actress-Faith Prince
Supporting Actress-Laura Benanti
Supporting Actor-Stew* or Christopher Fitzgerald
Revival-South Pacific
Musical-In The Heights

---

Updated On: 3/10/08 at 11:35 PM

Why does it HAVE to win?

---

Only 4 shows can be nominated...

---

Cheyenne Jackson will not win over Miranda. I'm not even sure that Evans will. Miranda seems to be getting the kind of love-letters that the likes of Sutton Foster, John Lloyd Young, and Kristin Chenoweth got in the roles that earned each of them their Tonys when they were up-and-coming young actors. Jackson might be nominated, but he won't win.
Jenna Russell is not going to win the Tony over LuPone, nor should she. She gives a swell performance but does not achieve the brilliance that Peters did back in '84, and if it's true that LuPone's Broadway turn is miles better than what she did at Encores! then she basically has it in the bag...unless the usually-reliable Faith Prince gives the kind of performance in a NEW musical (major brownie points, especially since everyone and their mother has played Momma Rose) that will have us all talking about her.
I think Sher has once again assembled a creative team that will sweep the design categories, not sure if he'll take the major prize though.
I highly doubt that Fitzgerald will win for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, but I'm not sure this is a strong year for featured male performances like it was last year.
Featured actress will be incredibly interesting, with Benanti giving the performance of her career so far, and with up-and-comers like Leigh Ann Larkin, Leslie Kritzer, and Alli Mauzey earning raves for their performances. We'll see what happens.

---