Pulitzer Prize Predictions- Page 2

[MadonnaMusical]

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. 

[Ledaero]

Posted: 4/21/20 at 6:51pm

I agree that Halfway Bitches... has entered the race since I first made this thread. I really enjoyed it, especially on paper. With the awards buzz, it seems like the big contenders are Halfway Bitches..., Heroes of the Fourth Turning, A Strange Loop, and Octet. Maybe The Inheritance still has a shot? It's hype has died significantly over the past few months, and I personally found it to be an incredibly messy script.

Octet would be a cool consideration for music! I could definitely see it happening since its a groundbreaking composition, especially on paper if you read through the score. There weren't any landmark albums last year either, so it could easily go to a theatre piece. But will its inclusion of book dialogue omit it from competition, what're the rules surrounding that? 

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 5/1/20 at 12:47pm

The awards are on Monday. Any last predictions? My guess is that Heroes takes the prize (though I'd disagree on its merits) and Halfway Bitches and Soft Power are nominees, with White Noise, Greater Clements, and Hurricane Diane as possible upsets.

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 5/1/20 at 1:01pm

Synecdoche2 said: "The awards are on Monday. Any last predictions? My guess is that Heroes takes the prize (though I'd disagree on its merits) and Halfway Bitches and Soft Power are nominees, with White Noise, Greater Clements, and Hurricane Diane as possible upsets."

Those are my exact choices! :) Though in a just world, A Strange Loop will surprise and come and take the spot of any of those mentioned.

[Ledaero]

Posted: 5/1/20 at 2:04pm

I also expect (and hope) that HEROES takes the top prize. I’d think likelihood is:
WINNER: HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING
FINALISTS: HALFWAY BITCHES GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN, OCTET

UPSETS: WHITE NOISE, A STRANGE LOOP, THE INHERITANCE

I’m uncertain about the eligibility of DANA H. and SOFT POWER. Would DANA H. be eligible with its transcription nature? And was SOFT POWER eligible in 2018 when it ran in CA for tryouts?

I expect OCTET to be a finalist for an award, just not sure whether they’ll award it for Drama or Music. Could easily go to music, especially since one of the pieces it’s based off of, Caroline Shaw’s PARTITA FOR 8 VOICES, won the Pulitzer for Music in 2013.

Updated On: 5/1/20 at 02:04 PM

[Ledaero]

Posted: 5/1/20 at 2:04pm

Double post 

Updated On: 5/1/20 at 02:04 PM

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 11:49am

Winner: A Strange Loop

Finalists: Heroes of The Fourth Turning, Soft Power

count on it. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 12:04pm

I'm excited for the announcement in a few hours!

It just occurred to me: we may also be underestimating Greater Clements. It wouldn't be my personal pick, but it fits the bill perfectly, and IIRC, it has gotten a number of awards nominations, and was well-received by critics. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 12:30pm

Since I'm bored in quarantine, I compiled a list of all the titles mentioned in this thread, and ranked them in terms of my personal preference (not in order of likelihood). I also threw in a few other potential contenders that haven't been mentioned yet (in bold).

1. Hurricane Diane (I don't think this one fits the bill as much as many of the others, but GOD I loved this play so much, and I'd be ecstatic if it won) 
2. Ain't No Mo'
3. Octet
4. Is This a Room (not sure if it's eligible, as a verbatim-piece, but I figured I'd include it) 
5. Soft Power 
6. The Sound Inside
7. Mojada 
8. Do You Feel Anger? 
9. The Underlying Chris 
10. Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
11. Marys Seacole
12. Dana H
13. Heroes of The Fourth Turning
14. Behind the Sheet 
15. Greater Clements
16. Nomad Motel 
17. White Noise
18. The Pain of My Belligerence 
19. Dr. Ride's American Beach House
20. The Inheritance 
21. The Cake
22. A Strange Loop
23. Daddy
24. Nantucket Sleigh Ride (I actually liked this play more than most, but I don't think it fits the bill) 
25. BLKS
26. Gary
27. Before the Meeting (didn't see this play)

 

As far as which ones from the list above are the most likely to win, I don't feel like ranking them, but I would guess that the following plays are the most prominently in the mix: 

 

Greater Clements
Halfway Bitches go Straight to Heaven
Heroes of the Fourth Turning
The Inheritance
Octet
A Strange Loop

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 12:48pm

The Cake premiered in 2017, and has had several major, major productions before its Off-Broadway iteration, so I'm fairly certain it's ineligible.

Hurriance Diane was so wonderful! I wouldn't be upset if it surprised us all.

I thought Underlying Chris was bottom tier Eno; nothing new he hadn't already said before in more interesting, exciting ways. But maybe the committee isn't thinking like that

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 3:19pm

And the award goes to A Strange Loop!

Finalists are Heroes of the Fourth Turning and Soft Power

 

Obviously my post above makes my feelings about this clear. Far from my personal pick. But congrats to Jackson, and the finalists!

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 3:19pm

Finalists:

Heroes of The Fourth Turning

Soft Power

A Strange Loop

Winner:

A Strange Loop

.....

Incredible!!!

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 5/4/20 at 3:41pm

Yet another year where the committee makes the choice that will get them the most press. But ever since Hamilton won can we really expect anything else?

In any event, I think in 50 years Hurricane Diane will be produced more than any of the nominees this year. Certainly climate change isn't going away any time soon.