I didn't get a chance to see The King and I. I figured I'd go for something different since I've seen The King and I so many times, including the installment with Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy.
As much as I love the show, I would like to see something else get it this time.
If, of the three, The King and I is the best, then by all means, it should win. Even if it did win for revival less than two decades ago.
After seeing both On the Town and On the Twentieth Century, The King and I would have to hit a grand slam on every level for it to overtake these other two. Especially as great as they were.
After seeing OTTC, The King and I, by comparison seems safe and full proof. It's such a perfect show already (R&H made sure of that) that if you have two strong leads who can sing and act, it should be a good production. Particularly if it's on Broadway.
OTTC though requires so much physicality and timing, in addition to great vocal and acting performances, that IMO if it's a great production (and it is), it should get a nod over something like The King and I. Seems to be more risk involved in staging a show like OTTC. If the timing, or any of the performances are off, it could ruin the impact of the show.
And this revival of OTTC hits it on all cylinders.