Way Too Early 2019 Tony Predictions thread — Page 18

Joan has a shot since I think Waverly may get the most love out of the play revivals, so the love for that show may jolt her into that category. Such a competitive season for plays though. As someone who hasn't followed them too closely, are the plays generally this strong and competitive? I feel the past few musical seasons have been so weak, and are often more imbalanced in terms of consistent quality of productions, but I have seen a lot of plays this year and while some were better than others, all were very high quality imo. But comparing Hadestown to Pretty Woman, they're just on different levels I feel. Wasnt sure if this is just the way the industry is gong or if the plays that land on broadway tend to be more consistent.

IdinaBellFoster said: "Kelli got some nice notices, but nothing on the level of her performance in THE KING & I or BRIDGES. The only person standing in the way of Block winning is Rebecca Naomi Jones - and even then I think Block takes it."

I wouldn't rule out Beth Leavel. Previous Tony winner + across-the-board (yes?) raves for her standout performance could be a justified win. The Prom got overall better reviews than Cher Show, which might help it, and O'Hara's reviews were more mixed than either Block or Leavel. But I'm super interested to see the Oklahoma reviews, especially for the performances.

Also, none of the women in discussion this year have the kind of Celie/Dolly Levi/Reno Sweeney type of role where there's a clear star, so I think this is potentially more open than we think!

She’s a great Cher. But I do think a lot of the Tony praise & hope this year is based around body of work, and the fact that a very talented and well-liked actress doesn’t yet have a Tony award.

AngusN said: "In much the same way that Kelli won for The King and I. SJB can only compete against others that season, let’s not diminish her talent. Her performance in Falsettos was one of the greatest performances I’ve ever wirnesses; she didn’t win, and yet a performer from a much popular show did - it’s swings and roundabouts."

No one is diminishing her talent but I’m strongly in the camp that the best performance in the year in question should win, and the body of work / it’s their time factor shouldn’t apply. Same applies with the Oscars. It’s so annoying that Meryl Streep, for instance, only has to appear in a movie these days, regardless of quality of her performance compared to others that year, to get a nomination. That to me takes away a nomination from some who may have actually been more deserving that year.

After seeing Ain't Too Proud last night, I'm really rooting for Derrick Baskin to take a Lead Actor in a Musical nomination. He was truly the heart of that show and held it together so beautifully.

Obviously too early to call with so many other contenders in that category not open yet, but right now my prediction/hope will be Ashmanskas, Baskin, Daunno, Fontana... and either Will Chase or Alex Brightman depending on Beetlejuice's reviews.

(All assuming that Baskin will be considered as Lead, of course.)

Miles2Go2 said: "This may have already been discussed, but will Hadestown even be eligible for best original score since the music was mostly featured on Anais Mitchell’s 2010 album?"



It has been discussed, but I don't blame you for asking again. I participated in those discussions and I don't even remember when/in what thread those discussions took place. Anyway, I'll say basically what I've said before:

The score should be, and likely will be eligible because the stage show show has had a very long development period, which predates the concept album. According to Wikipedia (the most trustworthy of sources!) the album was made after workshops of the material had already been done. So the score was written for the show, but they recorded it as a concept album so the music could be preserved even though the album wasn't directly attached to an existing production. Shows like JCS and Evita also had concept albums prior to their onstage premieres, and both shows went on to get nominated or win Best Score

This is in contrast with a show like American Idiot; even though that album was written with a loose narrative in mind, and is sometimes referred to as a "concept album," the album was still an independent entity, which was only later taken and turned into a musical.

^The Sara/Waitress album likening is very apt. Yes, Hadestown will be eligible for score (and IMO is already the lock to win).

Bebe Neuwirth and Brandon Victor Dixon will announce the nominees on April 30. Id assume on CBS This Morning? Cant believe were just about a month away!

Mike Barrett said: "Bebe Neuwirth and Brandon Victor Dixon will announce the nominees on April 30.Id assume on CBS This Morning? Cant believe were just about a month away!"

Usually it's live-streamed online and some of it is shown on NY1? And occasionally CBS airs the Musical/Play/Revival categories.

Don't count out Choir Boy for Best Play. IMHO, that's the third slot after Ferryman and Mockingbird, though I haven't seen everything yet.

CoffeeBreak said: "Play

THE FERRYMAN, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, INK, HILLARY & CLINTON or LIFESPAN / AMERICAN SON.

GARY isn't worthy of a Tony nom. even with extended opening announce. Julie White nom. and set."

I’d say these are definitely getting nominated:

The Ferryman

To Kill a Mockingbird

I enjoyed Lifespan of a Fact, but I doubt it’ll get a nomination for best play. Ditto for American Son.

I think Network might get a nom. And Ink (depending on reception to it once it opens) and Hillary and Clinton.

If any of these don’t get nominated, I’d think Gary or What The Constitution Means To Me might have a shot,

The Tony still belongs to either The Ferryman or TKAM.

Bit I have to admit as someone who lives further away (Oklahoma), of the above I’ve only seen:

Lifespan of a Fact

American Son

The Ferryman

Network

I think there will be five nominees regardless, because of the number of eligible shows. (Wasn't that a formal change they made last year?) So if there's a tie in the voting, I imagine we'll see six, not five. And honestly, with the strength of the plays this season, I wouldn't be totally floored if that happened. (Though I think if any category will see extra nominees, it'll be Lead Actor in a Play.)

Rooting for Ferryman to win either way. Mockingbird is clearly a polished production, but wasn't my cup of tea.