Meet me at Broadway

So, I've decided that my first post back after a hiatus in the month of May will be about one of my greatest loves... musicals. The Tony Awards are coming up this week. Here are my predictions for the categories that I care about. They are probably fairly biased because I've only seen two of the musicals (Next to Normal and Hair) from this season but here it goes anyway.

Best Play
God of Carnage: A Comedy that everyone is raving about it. John saw it and said that the audience couldn't stop laughing at everything that was spoken. Not to mention the phenomenal cast.

Best Musical
Next to Normal: While Billy Elliot will probably take this one, I'm predicting Next to Normal as the one to win. I've been waiting for a musical like this to come along and it was really a wonderful performance. The story is moving and the music is really stellar and modern which makes me think that it has a really good chance.

Best Book of a Musical
[Title of Show]: I have not read any of these books but [Title of Show] is an original story about the making of a musical. It seems like the front runner in this category.

Best Original Score Written for the Theatre
Next to Normal: This is a really tough category. People are in love with Elton John and Billy Elliot which has a great chance to win. However, Dolly Parton is always a big favorite and I think that they'd like to see her win a Tony. I'm going with Next to Normal because of the really modern pop-rock score and the fact that there are nearly 40 original songs on the album. There's not a lot of filler dialogue in Next to Normal; it's really the music that carries the show and its emotional effect.

Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner's Come and Gone: Honestly, I'm not sure but Barack went to see this one so I'm banking on that. Critics also seem to be loving Mary Stuart so it's also got a great shot.

Best Revival of a Musical
Hair: Hands down, this has got to be the winner. Guys and Dolls had terrible reviews and people have not been overly excited about West Side Story or Pal Joey. Hair is brilliant and the most fun musical that I've ever seen. The show is really a trip into the seventies and a full experience rather than a passive viewing event.

Best Special Theatrical Event
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush: Everyone loves Will Farrel and hates G.W. This seems like a shoe-in

Best Actor in a Play
Raul Esparza: This is a really tight category. Esparza is predicted to win his category every year but has yet to take home a Tony. If he gets it this year it will be an amazing achievement with all of the talent in this category.

Best Actress in a Play
Marcia Gay Harden: I'm in love with her and I heard she was wonderful in this play.

Best Actor in a Musical
Gavin Creel: I'm really torn by this category. I think both J. Robert Spencer and Gavin Creel deserve it as they were incredible in their respective parts. I'm going with Gavin Creel because I thought his part was a bit more memorable (although Spencer's was extremely touching) and since it's still so early in his career it would be a great time for him to win it. I also loved him in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he did not win the Tony and we should make up for it now.

Best Actress in a Musical
Alice Ripley: She deserves this so much for her performance in Next to Normal. I love Sutton Foster and Josefina Scaglione seems to be a new favorite but it would be a crime not to give the award to Alice Ripley. Her performance held the show together and it was extremely touching.

Featured Actress in a Musical
Angela Lansbury: Theatre Legend.

Featured Actor in a Musical
Will Swenson: The only musical that I've seen and he was good. Lots of personality and the audience cracked up at his wisecracks and nudity.

Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano: This is probably a stretch but I loved her in Next to Normal. Her voice is incredible and I really identified with the character. "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" is one of the best tracks on the CD.

Best Scenic Design for a Musical
Guys and Dolls: I think that the set was about all this play had going for it. Sorry Lauren Graham.

Best Costume Design for a Play
Mary Stuart: Period costumes are always a good bet.

Best Costume Design for a Musical
Shrek: Brian D'Arcy James looks like an ogre. I think the fairytale will take this one. Although I'm pulling for Hair.

Best Lighting Design for a Play
Equus: Dramatic play equals dramatic lighting. And this is one of the only categories in which this play is nominated.

Best Lighting Design for a Musical
Hair: There were projections everywhere. I loved it.

Best Direction of a Play
God of Carnage: Phenomenal play with a stellar cast that knows how to take directions

Best Direction of a Musical
Billy Elliot: Huge cast with lots of kids participating. And everyone loves it; it's gotta win something.

Best Choreography
Billy Elliot: A musical about dancing.

Best Orchestrations
Next to Normal: Honestly, I don't really know what this means but I'll give it to N2N.