To answer your question, ITH, which I loved, but PS is the superior show. I'll be happy if PS wins, but I won't care if it doesn't.
I have only seen Xanadu out of these nominees, but based on word of mouth, these are my predictions:
1) In the Heights
2) Passing Strange (or #3)
3) Xanadu (or #2)
4) Cry-Baby
In The Heights....but in my heart, I wish Xanadu would win.
In The Heights!
Featured Actor Joined: 3/23/07
My gut tells me that Xanadu will be the completely unexpected winner, as many voters will vote for what they want to win rather than what they think should win. But I would be equally happy if In The Heights were to win. This is a three way toss-up this year, so there will be genuine suspense (we'll probably know for sure by the winners of the score & book awards - I expect those prizes to be split between Xanadu (book) and In the Heights (score) - if Passing Strange somehow wins 1 or both, then it will be all over and my night will be ruined! and my Tony party!)
If Passing Strange wins, it will be the first time EVER that the Best Musical prize would go to a show that I absolutely hate, despise, and think is the worst musical I have ever had the displeasure of seeing. I honestly don't understand why others like the show, but love it they do. It's a matter of taste, I guess - and I think probably they didn't think about what that musical was really (besides the headache inducing score).
Featured Actor Joined: 3/23/07
My gut tells me that Xanadu will be the completely unexpected winner, as many voters will vote for what they want to win rather than what they think should win. But I would be equally happy if In The Heights were to win. This is a three way toss-up this year, so there will be genuine suspense (we'll probably know for sure by the winners of the score & book awards - I expect those prizes to be split between Xanadu (book) and In the Heights (score) - if Passing Strange somehow wins 1 or both, then it will be all over and my night will be ruined! and my Tony party!)
If Passing Strange wins, it will be the first time EVER that the Best Musical prize would go to a show that I absolutely hate, despise, and think is the worst musical I have ever had the displeasure of seeing. I honestly don't understand why others like the show, but love it they do. It's a matter of taste, I guess - and I think probably they didn't think about what that musical was really (besides the headache inducing score).
XANADU
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
Xanadu
XANADU!!!
I think Xanadu has a shot. It is going to do a sit down production in Chicago and will tour for certain. It also will have other productions globally and is cheap to tour. In the Heights will probably win, although I'm baffled about how you could tour it-it's so New York local that I'm not sure people are going to understand it or appreciate it outside of its setting. When I went, people thought it took place in Brooklyn Heights one time then Bronx Heights another. I do like the show, but it's a tough sell on the road.
Passing Strange is a tough call-might do well on the road provided they can find someone to reproduce Stew's style. It's cheap to run as well and the themes are universal.
My vote goes to Xanadu. I hope it proves me right. (I doubt it will-In the Heights will probably get it becuase the road voters make up a small percentage of the total votes and most of these people are New Yorkers and it is a New York show.)
Chorus Member Joined: 5/15/08
I love both shows, but I would put In The Heights as a clear front-runner.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
In The Heights.
Oh Lord in Heaven, please let it be In The Heights!!!!!!!!!!
Leading Actor Joined: 11/10/07
I think Best musical is ITH to loose BUT it is by no means a lock. Nothing this year is. Passing Strange my take it or ITH & PS may split votes for being a "new" kind of show and Xanadu could slip in and grab it. After all Cubby thinks so. No one is a lock this year. No one. It is one of the most unpredictable year at the Tony's is quite some time.
IN THE HEIGHTS. It's really no contest. While I loved PASSING STRANGE I would be shocked if it actually won.
In the Heights...it is also more commercial which the Tony's tend to go for.
I think it it will be ITH but I want Xanadu to win. However I am not happy that it is sitting down here in chicago as someone else mentioned but that is another topic entirely.
In the Heights is a corny hackneyed story which happens to have Latino/rap music which is thought to be a groundbreaking stroke. Well to win the Tony you need great music AND great book. In the Heights book is soap opera-ish and unbelievably trite.
Passing Strange is original creative and thoughtful and deserves the Tony. Xanadu is witty and I'd be happy if it won. It would be a travesty for In The Heights to win. A completely hokey and awful show.
I loved ITH, Passing Strange, and Xanadu. All of them are GREAT in different ways. I think that ITH will take it, but I am hoping against hope that Xanadu will pull an upset. Its the little show that could, and I'd love to see it go home with the big prize. I'm rooting for Passing Strange for Best Score, and Lin-Manuel Miranda for best actor, but I'd really love to see Xanadu take best musical.
IN THE HEIGHTS is so overrated. I'm hoping this year's Best Musical won't be based on politics (yeah right)...
XANADU or PASSING STRANGE!
Please! I love when there are upsets. People on this board just freak out (myself included). That always makes Tony night more entertaining
IN THE HEIGHTS should not win, even though I really love the music. I just hate the book.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
I just don't see how folks can complain that IN THE HEIGHTS is a tired batch of cliches, and then praise PASSING STRANGE for being original and daring.
PASSING STRANGE was one coming of age cliche after another, a total snooze.
In The Heights will win. I really disliked PS and Xanadu was cute and nothing more. I also really hope Robin will take Best Featured Actor, but I think that'll go to Fitzgerald.
I think Danny Burstein may win featured actor. He was excellent in South Pacific and has been nominated before. But, I do agree Fitzgerald has a great shot. And Daniel Breaker can't be counted out either.
Well I'm hoping it's in the heights. I personally think that it is more deserving of it but that's just me.
I'm actually curious about Xanadu's chances as well.
They are all so incredibly different and difficult to compare.
In the Heights. It's the most complete of the new musicals. It is highly conventional in form and yes, the book is a big cliche, but by virtue of its musical style it can still be labeled "fresh" or different. Plus, it's got fun characters, a more or less happy ending, and some emotional heart. Passing Strange is wonderfully unconventional, but its narrative is so loose that the show feels somewhat incomplete by its end, the terrific music and performances notwithstanding. Xanadu is great fun but is SO light and frothy and goes by so quickly that it barely has time to register an impression. It just feels very insubstantial. I liked all of them for different reasons, but I think more of the voters will go for In the Heights, which is conventional enough to reward the traditional book musical, while stylistically edgy and hip enough by virtue of its music and its young creator.
"If Passing Strange wins, it will be the first time EVER that the Best Musical prize would go to a show that I absolutely hate, despise, and think is the worst musical I have ever had the displeasure of seeing."
That's exactly how I felt about Spring Awakening winning last year!
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