Tony Awards nominations are coming on Tuesday. There are some hot races expected among big stars. There are also the categories for plays and musicals looking pretty competitive.
For example: Best Musical Revival will pit Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” against his own “Into the Woods.” I would choose the first one for many reasons including that it’s playing now. “Into the Woods” is long gone.
Best Musical is an issue. “Some Like it Hot” will go up against “Kimberly Akimbo.” This is another choice between accessibility and weirdness. Last year, “A Strange Loop” won — so weird — and it’s been closed for some time. I’ll go with “Some Like it Hot.”
Best Play: Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt” has to win, and should get a special prize for Best Ensemble. Why aren’t people going to see this important piece of art? Go now, right now. Runner up is “Good Night Oscar.”
Best Revival of a Play pits “Death of a Salesman” against “The Piano Lesson.” The third choice is “Top dog/Underdog.” They’ve all closed, and I wish they were still open.
Best Actor in a Play: Sean Hayes in “Good Night Oscar” will battle a bunch of top notch performers. Wendell Pierce in “Death of a Salesman” might have won if the show were still on the boards. Oscar Isaac will be in the mix, so will Stephen McKinley Henderson. Hayes has the edge.
Best Actress in a Play: Again, this group is the creme de la creme. Laura Linney, Jessica Chastain, Jodie Comer, Rachel Brosnahan, Audra McDonald. It’s a toss up. And if there were a sixth spot it would go to Jessica Hecht.
Best Actor in a Musical: It’s really a contest between Josh Groban as “Sweeney Todd,” and Ben Platt, from “Parade.” Another toss-up, although Platt has a Tony, Groban doesn’t and should.
Best Actress in a Musical: Five terrific performances, I’m partial to Annaleigh Ashford in “Sweeney Todd.” The “Kimberly Akimbo” crowd will go for Victoria Clark.
In the Featured Actor categories, Brandon Uranowitz in “Leopoldstadt” is the clear winner. Best Featured Acrtress in a Play is Danielle Brooks, who commanded “The Piano Lesson.”
