I'm guessing Cicely Tyson, Patina Miller, Andrea Martin and Judith Light ?
these are my *current* predictions
*---Best Lead Actress in a Musical---
01. *Patina Miller in Pippin as The Leading Player (Drama League, Outer Critics, Audience) 02. Laura Osnes in Cinderella as Cinderella (Drama League, Outer Critics, Audience, Drama Desk) 03. Valisia LeKae in Motown as Diana Ross (Drama League, Outer Critics) 04. Lilla Crawford in Annie as Annie (Drama League, Outer Critics, Audience Breakthrough) 05. Stephanie J. Block in The Mystery of Edwin Drood as Edwin Drood (Drama Desk, Audience 2x)
*---Best Featured Actress in a Musical---
01. *Andrea Martin in Pippin as Berthe (Drama League, Outer Critics, Drama Desk) 02. Annaleigh Ashford in Kinky Boots as Lauren (Outer Critics, Audience, Drama Desk) 03. Betsy Wolfe in The Mystery of Edwin Drood as Deirdre Peregrin 04. Jenn Colella in Chaplin as Hedda Hopper 05. Lesli Margherita in Matilda as Zinnia Wormwood
*---Best Lead Actress in a Play---
01. *Cicely Tyson in The Trip to Bountiful as Miss Carrie Watts (Drama League, Outer Critics, Drama Desk) 02. Laurie Metcalf in The Other Place as Juliana Smithton (Drama League) (Obie, Drama Desk, etc last year off Broadway) 03. Kristine Nielsen in Sonia and Vanya and Masha and Spike as Sonia (Drama League, Outer Critics) 04. Holland Taylor in Ann as Ann Richards (Drama League, Outer Critics, Drama Desk) 05. Bette Midler in I’ll Eat You At Last as Sue Mengers (Drama League, Outer Critics, Audience 3x, Drama Desk)
*---Best Featured Actress in a Musical---
01. *Judith Light in The Assembled Parties as Faye (Drama League, Outer Critics, Drama Desk) 02. Judith Ivey in The Heiress as Lavinia Penniman (Drama League, Outer Critics, Drama Desk) 03. Vanessa Williams in The Trip to Bountiful as Jessie Mae Watts (Drama League, Outer Critics) 04. Mare Winningham in Picnic as Flow Owens 05. Cady Huffman in The Nance as Sylvie (Outer Critics)
It'll depend on category placement, and we should probably know that tomorrow. But I think Jessica Hecht could upset either one of the categories they could put her in. And it wouldn't be much of an upset imo. The work she does in PARTIES moved me more than Tyson in BOUNTIFUL.
Judith Light, even though she won last year, could be formidable too.
The only one that I'd put money on would be Andrea Martin.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
These are probably the frontrunners, but I wouldn't count out Laura Osnes (yes, it seems a stretch that they'd give a girl playing Cinderella best actress, but she's clearly Broadway's next "it" girl and actually got pretty solid reviews).
I also think Amy Morton won't be entirely forgotten in the Actress in a Play race.
It seems the only one I'd bet on is Andrea Martin. The rest still seem really open. I'm a big fan of Kristine Nielsen and I'd love to see her take featured actress in a play, but that category has some serious competition this year. Lead actress is no slouch, either. I loved Amy Morton and Jessica Chastain this past season, but I don't see both of them making the final cut.
I really don't seem to recall there being Tony buzz for Ivey while The Heiress was running. And Judith Light just won the award- not to say that could prevent her from winning again, but it'll be a handicap in the face of a veteran, beloved actress who hasn't like Nielsen.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
After seeing The Assembled Parties a second time, there's a reason Judith Light could easily prevail on being a back to back winner. She's just too damn good. She and Hecht really feed off of each other so much and it's so refreshing to see devastatingly talent like that in a straight play. Not that Neilsen isn't formidable competition, she is great. I'm leaning more toward a repeat for Light, unless Hecht remains in Featured, then I say it's hers, no question. Most of these races will actually be fun this year because of the lack of clear runaway frontrunners.
Definite nom for Lesli Margherita in Matilda. Andrea Martin could take the Tony because of name recognition, and Annaleigh Ashford was a big highlight of Kinky -- but Lesli's performance is incredible.
Will Win: The Matildas (who will be found eligible per the Billy Elliot rules) Should Win: Patina Miller Watch out for: Laura Osnes
Best Actress in a Play:
Will Win: Cicely Tyson Should Win: Cicely Tyson, IMO
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Andrea Martin Should Win: I'm mixed here-I love Pippin and Andrea is fabulous, but I actually think Annaleigh Ashford gives a breakthrough performance in Kinky Boots
Best Featured Actress in a Play:
Will Win: Kristine Nielsen (if placed here) Should Win: Mixed feelings here. I feel like I've watched Kristine Nielsen give this performance in other shows I've seen her in. That said, I thought Jessica Hecht was excellent in Harvey, Judith Light is always very strong. I feel like poor Jessica Hecht does such consistently brilliant work that she deserves the recognition, but Nielsen will win. (I loved Vanya, but again, felt like she was doing her 'schtick'.)
Fine. I'll concede the monologue was good. I wasn't attached to her performance as much as Hyde Pierce's. I also feel the award should be about the overall performance, not one monologue-especially as the category is packed with worthy candidates.
If Kristine is doing her usual schtick, is Annaleigh not doing her usual schtick? The "schtick," if that's what you believe it to be, is valid for both.
Maggie Smith got old fast in that play (at least for me). I'm not so sure I think Annaleigh has a schtick quite yet (her Maureen was vastly different-and far superior-than any I'd previously seen). I think she's moved away from the dumb blonde routine. Frankly, I am really impressed with her range of abilities.
If you think she's doing her schtick, I'll definitely concede. But, I still think Martin has it. She's the one award (aside from Matilda taking about nine awards) that I see as a certainty.
But the role is an awkwardly dumb-in-love "blonde" kind of role, so it fit her like a glove. It plays to what she does best. I'm not saying it as a negative.