Brian's NYC

Best Play:
Dividing the Estate
God of Carnage
Reasons to be pretty
33 Variations

Who I think will win: God of Carnage
Who I think should win: God of Carnage

While the only show I've seen from this category is Labute's Reasons to be Pretty, the buzz around God of Carnage is such that I think it will take the prize. The only thing standing in its way is the contemporary subject matter...I believe 33 Variations to be less controversial subject matter.

Best Musical:
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical

Who I think will win: Billy Elliott
Who I think should win: Next to Normal

I think it's terrible that 9 to 5 was not nominated (apparently there are political reasons why it wasn't). While I think Shrek was nominated because of its spectacle, 9 to 5 ranks as high in my book with the quality of the show. Billy Elliott is definitely the favorite to win, but I had some issues with it (I have yet to write a review on it, but plan to! really!). Haven't seen Rock of Ages, but I'm going to agree with the musical theatre purists in terms of nominating such a different theatrical experience (i.e. mixing theatre with a casual drinking atmosphere) for Best Musical. Next to Normal is my favorite show out of the bunch, but everyone I've talked to has said they weren't sure what to make of it the first time they saw it. The subject matter stands in the way, as well as its scale. Billy Elliott should take the prize politically and because of its favoritism in the Broadway world.

Best Book of a Musical:
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Shrek The Musical

Who I think will win: Billy Elliott
Who I think should win: Next to Normal

Next to Normal is the only original book in the category, but I would rather see it win a music award. While Shrek did a clever job of working in theatrical references, a lot of the lines from the movie stuck (same with 9 to 5 which, oops, wasn't nominated again). Billy Elliott did a seemingly good job adapting the book from the movie as well as the original London production, and is succeeded in conveying the political unrest of the period, as well as the social and familial issues surrounding a boy studying ballet.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre:
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
9 to 5: The Musical
Shrek The Musical

Who I think will win: Next to Normal
Who I think should win: Next to Normal

Elton John's score for Billy Elliott was not met with rave reviews, and I only liked about half of it myself. It's not the type of score that you really leave the theater humming every tune. 9 to 5's music was fantastic, but Dolly Parton adapted a number of her original songs to fit into the show. And Shrek also did some adapting, but while some of it was a lot of fun, the complexities of the score don't match up to NTN's.

Best Revival of a Play:
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Mary Stuart
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot

Who I think will win: Mary Stuart
Who I think should win: Mary Stuart

This is a complete shot in the dark, as I will not have had the opportunity to see any of these shows before the awards on June 7. All of these shows got positive reviews, but I'd say Mary Stuart has gotten the best, as has the most buzz. The Norman Conquests could also take the prize though, seeing how it is 3 separate plays billed under one name. Very impressive accomplishment.

Best Revival of a Musical:
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story

Who I think will win: Hair
Who I think should win: Hair

I have come to care so passionately about the musical revival category for some reason. I feel like a successful musical revival (and the DEFINITION of it) comes along when a show is remounted and reconceived/restructured to appeal to the current generation of theatregoers, rather than simply mimicing the previous production. Therefore, I think that Hair should win over West Side Story. Although the actual material still remains dated, the experience trancends the period in which it was written. The performers and audience are simultaneously aware of its relevance, and it succeeds to convey its message in the current societal setting as well as provide a glimpse at the original production. Is this making any sense?


Best Special Theatrical Event:
Liza’s at The Palace
Slava’s Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush


Who I think will win: Liza's at The Palace
Who I think should win: You're Welcome America


Sure, she already has a few Tony's of her own, but the return of such a revered Broadway darling should get her another prize. You're Welcome America, on the other hand, mocks our previous Commander In Chief, and while the theater community is comprised of mostly liberal individuals, to award such a production might prove to be too political of a statement.


Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play:
Jeff Daniels - God of Carnage
Raul Esparza - Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini - God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush - Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski - Reasons to Be Pretty


Who I think will win: Geoffrey Rush
Who I think should win: Geoffrey Rush


Didn't see Raul Esparza (what? Jeremy Piven wasn't nominated?! ha), but the two male actors in Speed-The-Plow have too much of an equal playing field to pin-point one. Thomas Sadoski was great in Reasons to Be Pretty, but his performance seemed so stylistic that I feel its the only way he knows how to act. I haven't seen God of Carnage, so one actor might stand out above the other, but unless it's an impressively and emotionally charged performance, Geoffrey Rush should take the award for bringing his take on the classic character to life.


Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play:
Hope Davis- God of Carnage
Jane Fonda - 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden - God of Carnage
Janet McTeer - Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter - Mary Stuart

Who will win: Janet McTeer of Harriet Walter
Who should win: ???


Jane Fonda has a difficult category to stand out in. But perhaps she will because the other women are competing against their fellow castmates...on the other hand, Mary Stuart has had nothing but amazing reviews, and the material seems much more daunting than the contemporary text Davis and Harden deal with in their everyday work.


Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical:
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gavin Creel - Hair
Brian d’Arcy James - Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis - Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer - Next to Normal


Who will win: Brian d'Arcy James
Who should win: Brian d'Arcy James


I've heard mixed things about all of the Billy's, and it's a big deal to give the award to three actors. Plus, the dancing is what is really impressive about their performances, not necessarily the acting or singing. Gavin Creel definitely stands out in Hair, but the show is also such an ensemble effort, he has a lot of support. Bobby Spencer's is not the strongest male performance in his show (in my opinion), and I have not seen Rock of Ages. But I think James deserves the Tony because he really carries the show on his shoulders, and it's a monster (ogre?) of a task. He completely personifies Shrek, so much so that he transforms himself and I frequently forgot who was working so hard under all that padding and makeup. (is it interesting that James also originated Spencer's role in Next to Normal off-Broadway at Second Stage?)


Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical:
Stockard Channing - Pal Joey
Sutton Foster - Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney - 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley - Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione - West Side Story


Who will win: Alice Ripley
Who should win: Alice Ripley


It's about time. She didn't win the last award she was nominated for, a dual Best Actress nomination with Emily Skinner for Side Show. She is the heart and soul of her show, the standout, and you can see every physical and emotional choice she makes so clearly. This woman is WORKING when she's performing, and the role is such a tour de force for her. While Channing and Janney have the star power on their side, Channing's role didn't stand out as much as Martha Plimptons, Janney has the support of her two co-stars (who also deserve to be nominated and SHOULD have been, btw). Unfortunately, I can't say anything about Scaglione because I haven't seen her perform, but I've heard wonderful things. She is such a newcomer to the scene, however, that I don't think it's going to happen for her this year.


Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play:
John Glover - Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier - 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan - The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter - The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson - Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Who will win: Stephen Mangan or Paul Ritter
Who should win: ???


I haven't seen any of these shows yet, but I think one of the two nominees from The Norman Conquests could take it, seeing as how it's a crazy trilogy.


Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play:
Hallie Foote - Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes - The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland - Reasons to be pretty
Angela Lansbury - Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root - The Norman Conquests

Who I think will win: Angela Lansbury
Who I think should win: Angela Lansbury

She's ancient by now, but still as spry as she was in her prime, and steals the show! Smells like Tony to me!

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical:
David Bologna - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch - 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber - Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson - Hair

Who I think will win: Christopher Sieber
Who I think should win: Christopher Sieber

He's been nominated for multiple awards and has been overlooked every time. He spends the entire show on his knees, and deserves some credit for his dedication and creativity with his character. David Bologna is great in Billy, and at some points steals the show, but the main acting tour de force in the cast is Gregory Jbara. He is the other contender for the award, in my opinion. Will Swenson, as I said about Gavin Creel, is nominated for a show that is vastly ensemble related, and Marc Kudisch's performance is muffled by the stellar trio of females he performes with.

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical:
Jennifer Damiano - Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo - West Side Story
Martha Plimpton - Pal Joey
Carole Shelley - Billy Elliot, The Musical

Who I think will win: Haydn Gwynne
Who I think should win: Haydn Gwynne

Jennifer Damiano is decently solid in Next to Normal, but she is simply too young and inexperienced to win the award. Martha Plimpton was the shining star of Pal Joey, but the entire show was just a lackluster completely. Carole Shelley does not stand out as much as Haydn Gwynne, and I am actually confused and surprised by her nomination. Karen Olivo is also a front runner, but I feel like Gwynne's more extensive resume and role in a higher profile show will get her the award.

Best Scenic Design of a Play:
Dale Ferguson - Exit the King
Rob Howell - The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane - 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan - Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Who will win: 33 Variations
Who should win: ???

Eh, it's just a shot in the dark.

Best Scenic Design of a Musical:
Robert Brill - Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask - Pal Joey
Mark Wendland - Next to Normal

Who will win: Billy Elliott
Who should win: Guys and Dolls

While I haven't seen Guys and Dolls, I've heard that it is rather glam and glitsy, and it sounds as though it could win. Pal Joey's set was also beautiful and very impressive, but it's lack of color and dated materials may keep it from winning. Next to Normal is a clever and fun set, but its small scale cannot measure up to the other nominees. Billy Elliot's set is technically extremely impressive, but something about its chopiness and contemporary elements made it seem odd to me.

Best Costume Design of a Play:
Dale Ferguson - Exit the King
Jane Greenwood - Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz - Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward - Mary Stuart

Who will win: Anthony Ward
Who should win: Anthony Ward

Period pieces and modern designs are almost a given to win costume awards. Mary Stuart should take it.

Best Costume Design of a Musical:
Gregory Gale - Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley - Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald - Hair

Who will win: Tim Hatley
Who should win: Tim Hatley

The fantastical costumes of Shrek are extremely ornate and elaborate. You can see every dollar of its $24 million budget, which includes its impressive costume designs. Especially compared to the realist designs of punk rock, 80's Ireland, and 70's hippie-chic.

Best Lighting Design of a Play:
David Hersey - Equus
David Lander - 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt - Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone - Mary Stuart

Who will win: ???
Who should win: ???

Ok, the only show I've seen from this category is Equus, and even though the lights were incredibly effective, the sound design of the show was more impressive. If only one technical award is given to the show, it should not be for lighting.

Best Lighting Design of a Musical:
Kevin Adams - Hair
Kevin Adams - Next to Normal
Howell Binkley - West Side Story
Rick Fisher - Billy Elliot, The Musical

Who will win: Hair
Who should win: Next to Normal

Next to Normals lighting design is innovative and effective, but again, the small scale of the show might affect its winning. Hair's design features the most current trents and technology, and perfectly fits the show. West Side Story could also take the prize, but I think Billy Elliots lavish set blocks the lights from shining through.

Best Sound Design of a Play:
Paul Arditti - Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke - Equus
Russell Goldsmith - Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg - Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Who will win: Gregory Clarke
Who should win: Gregory Clarke

I'm not sure if live and recorded sound count as sound design, but costume, set and sound design blended so well together in Equus. Horses scraping their metal hooves on metal doors of their stables while Alan Strange is having night terrors and mental breakdowns, paired with haunting and hollow whinnies made the eeriness of the show that much more effective. A complete experience.

Best Sound Design of a Musical:
Acme Sound Partners - Hair
Paul Arditti - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski - Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan - Next to Normal

Who will win: Rock of Ages
Who should win: Next to Normal

Does this category encompass mixing? Rock of Ages is the Broadway equivalent of a rock concert. But the band in Next to Normal is placed all over the stage, and the mixing is incredibly blended mixed so well that they appear to be all playing together in one platform on the stage. There are also multiple mic effects done on the performers to resemble hallucinations and dreams. I don't recall any actual sound cues in any of these shows, so I'm not sure what else to judge the award on.

Best Direction of a Play:
Phyllida Lloyd - Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher - Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus - God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus - The Norman Conquests

Who will win: Matthew Warchus
Who should win: Matthew Warchus

God of Carnage and The Norman Conquests are two of the most well-reviewed plays of the year. They are also both London transplants, but so is Mary Stuart. It is interesting that Bartlett Sher is the only American director in the category (and it's a testament to the quality of art that is coming from the West End. So which show will win the award? I think it will most likely go to The Norman Conquests because, you guessed it, it is a trilogy, and a magnificent feat.

Best Direction of a Musical:
Stephen Daldry - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif - Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi - Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus - Hair

Who will win: Diane Paulus
Who should win: Michael Greif

I'm not sure if I'm just really biased toward wanting Next to Normal to win anything possible, or what my deal is, but I think that Michael Greif has done such an amazing job with the evolution of the show, and it is so effective and moving, his vision and direction definitely deserves recognition. Diane Paulus's Hair is also an extremely moving piece and effectively brings the calls for peace from the 70's to today. She could also take the prize.

Best Choreography:
Karole Armitage - Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler - 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling - Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner - Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Who will win: Peter Darling
Who should win: Peter Darling

The most moving moments of Billy is the choreography, and Darling deserves the award. The musical staging is in my opinion the most beautiful part of the show, and Darling masterfully commands the wide array of cast members.