Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Pulitzer Prize Predictions
#1Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 11:49am
As the year is coming to a wrap, what plays do people think will make the Pulitzer list next year? So far this year I've been most impressed with HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, DADDY, OCTET, WHITE NOISE, and HURRICANE DIANE. And I could see any of them getting onto the list with how much the committee emphasizes current and social relevance when determining what're the landmarks of the year. Is INHERITANCE eligible for this year, or was that submitted for last year?
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#2Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 12:01pm
INHERITANCE is eligible, because this is the first U.S. production.
HEROES could be a contender, and possible A STRANGE LOOP. I doubt OCTET would make the cut, enjoyable as it is.
#3Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 12:07pm
In addition to the titles already mentioned, I think “Ain’t No Mo’” should definitely be in the mix.
“inheritance” is probably the biggest front runner at this point.
#4Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 12:28pm
Heroes, Strange Loop, Is This a Room (if eligible), Dr. Ride's American Beach House seem like possible contenders of works so far. Possibly Soft Power.
The Inheritance is maybe too big to ignore, at least for a finalist slot.
For things opening soon: maybe Lucas Hnath's The Thin Place.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
LarryD2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
#5Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 12:37pm
If we widen our scope to plays that haven't been seen in NYC yet, Hnath's DANA H. and Adam Bock's BEFORE THE MEETING could be contenders.
Falsettolands
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
#6Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 12:43pm
"Heroes" seems like such a contender to be a finalist. Subject matter and relevance considering.
I really loved "Dr. Ride's" but I don't think it has much chance considering how masked the themes are. It's a damn good play but not what I suspect they look for.
I would be so disappointed if "The Inheritance" did win.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#7Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 12:43pm
I was coming here to say SOFT POWER, too. Even though the reviews were all over the place, it's undeniably ambitious and speaks to the theatre's troubled past in telling Asian stories.
But also remember, last year it looked like SLAVE PLAY and Bruce Norris's DOWNSTATE would be clear finalists or winners. DANCE NATION was kind of a surprise. In prior years, Cost of Living, Everybody, 24 Decade History..., and The Flick weren't totally expected either.
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#8Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 1:00pm
I would not be disappointed at all if OCTET was at least a finalist. I feel like THE INHERITANCE ha a good shot too.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the Pulitzer committee has been really good with representation. The last 8 Pulitzers for Drama have gone to women or people of color. The last time a white guy received the prize was Bruce Norris for CLYBOURNE PARK (a play which was itself a commentary on racist real estate practices and gentrification). I could definitely see A STRANGE LOOP being a finalist as well.
#9Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 1:35pm
Nantucket Sleigh Ride, Gary, Marys Seacole, BLKS, and Hurricane Diane are all contenders, as well.
JSquared2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
#10Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 1:40pm
There's also GREATER CLEMENTS by Samuel D. Hunter
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#12Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/18/19 at 3:33pm
Synecdoche2 said: "Nantucket Sleigh Ride, Gary, Marys Seacole, BLKS, and Hurricane Diane are all contenders, as well."
Did you see Nantucket Sleigh Ride? Also, I would think Hurricane Diane was eligible last year?
The Sound Inside was at WTF the summer of 2018--does that mean it was eligible last year as well?
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
LightsOut90
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
#14Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/21/19 at 1:38pm
We have lots of time to go but I think Heroes and A Strange Loop are strong contenders. There is always one that is a left-field choice nominee though.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#15Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/21/19 at 4:16pm
little_sally said: "We have lots of time to go but I think Heroes and A Strange Loop are strong contenders. There is always one that is a left-field choice nominee though."
A Strange Loop is an interesting piece for this because while I think the book and concept are absolutely Pulitzer-type material, I think the music and lyrics are absolutely not Pulitzer-type material.
#16Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 11/21/19 at 4:37pm
I saw Dana H. at Goodman and, while good, do not see it getting nominated.
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#17Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 3/28/20 at 5:33pmWill the announcement of the awards be postponed? I don’t see any reason why they would. It’s not a formal awards show, it’s just listing the recipients over a live stream
#18Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 3/28/20 at 5:48pm
^I agree, especially since none of the cancelled shows would have been eligible anyway (until next year). I don't really know how their system works, but theoretically, all of the eligible shows would have been submitted for consideration before all of this went down, right?
The only obstacle I can think of offhand is if the shutdowns and social distancing are causing logistical issues in the voting/evaluation process. But it seems like it shouldn't be too difficult to find workarounds for those issues, should it?
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#19Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 3/29/20 at 3:57pm
I don't know much about how voting works, but I can't imagine it's anything that can't be done remotely
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#20Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 3/29/20 at 4:06pm
Website says "Winners and Nominated Finalists will be announced on April 2020" [sic] --- was there ever a date announced prior to COVID?
Inheritance and Greater Clements seem like the biggest contenders, with perhaps Soft Power and A Strange Loop being the only two worthy musicals in the mix.
#21Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 4/7/20 at 3:36pm
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/The-Pulitzer-Prize-Announcement-Will-be-Postponed-by-Two-Weeks-Due-to-the-Global-Health-Crisis-20200407
Announcement delayed by 2 weeks - at least it isn't cancelled altogether (though as I said in my post above, I don't see why it would have been).
The reason they give is interesting - that the journalists who comprise the Pulitzer committee have been focused on covering COVID.
#22Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 4/21/20 at 6:04pm
Don't forget HALFWAY BITCHES GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN came out of nowhere at the end of the year and blew everyone away. (read the reviews if you missed it. It's a masterpiece that rivals Ruined and Death of a Salesman)
I also wouldn't be surprised if OCTET won the pulitzer for music instead of Drama considering the groundbreaking style of a chorale musical. If it did, it would be the first musical to win a pulitzer for music since Menotti's Broadway Operetta "The Saint of Bleeker Street" in 1955.
My predictions: Pulitzer will go to Halfway Bitches go Straight to Heaven. The other Finalists will be: A Strange Loop, and the Inheritance.
But agree Octet or Heroes of the Fourth turning are also in consideration.
#23Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 4/21/20 at 6:12pm
@MadonnaMusical
I enjoyed Halfway Bitches, but wasn't head over heels for it. I certainly wouldn't peg it as the next great play of the 21st century. Having said that, I think you're right to point out that it has become a more and more viable option for the Pulitzer. It ticks all the boxes, and it got a lot of love from both the Drama Desks and the Lortel awards, and that will probably turn some of the heads of the Pulitzer committee. It's possible that the attention it's getting will help it to edge out the other major contenders.
As for me personally, I'm still crossing my fingers for Ain't No Mo' - though I doubt that will win at this point. Still, you never know with the Pulitzer folks! Last year I said the same thing about Fairview, and we all know what happened there!
#24Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 4/21/20 at 6:15pm
Ah Crap. Now I'm mad I missed "Ain't no more"
#25Pulitzer Prize Predictions
Posted: 4/21/20 at 6:28pm
JBroadway said: "@MadonnaMusical
I enjoyed Halfway Bitches, but wasn't head over heels for it. I certainly wouldn'tpegit as the next great play of the 21st century. Having said that, I think you're right to point out that it has become a more and more viable option for the Pulitzer. It ticks all the boxes, and it got a lot of love from both the Drama Desks and the Lortelawards, and that will probably turn some of the heads of the Pulitzer committee. It's possible that the attention it's getting will help it to edge out the other major contenders.
As for me personally, I'm still crossing my fingers for Ain't No Mo' - though I doubt that will win at this point. Still, you never know with the Pulitzer folks! Last year I said the same thing about Fairview, and we all know what happened there!"
I don't think the Pulitzer committee cares anything about other awards. They pick the play they want and that's it. It's supposed to say something new about the American Experience... so really I think these six plays we've mentioned are all great contenders.
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