75th Annual Tony Award Predictions: Part 4

Tony Awards: Act 1 was freaking fantastic. It had great pacing, great presenters and got things done. However, the actual broadcast lagged on and on. I was very surprised at the MJ wins and was upset that Sharon D. Clarke didn't win. I am so happy Six won Best Score because I honestly thought they'd give it to A Strange Loop by default because it won the Pulitzer.

ABC= Nominee that I predicted would win
ABC= Nominee that won

If a category has only a name in pink that means that the nominee I predicted would win did win.

• Best Play
• Clyde's
• Hangmen
• The Lehman Trilogy
• The Minutes
• Skeleton Crew
• Best Musical
• Girl from the North Country
• MJ
• Mr. Saturday Night
• Paradise Square
• Six
• A Strange Loop
• Best Revival of a Play
• American Buffalo
• for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• How I Learned to Drive
• Take Me Out
• Trouble in Mind
• Best Revival of a Musical
• Caroline, or Change
• Company
• The Music Man
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Adam Godley- The Lehman Trilogy as Mayer Lehman
• Adrian Lester- The Lehman Trilogy as Emanuel Lehman
• David Morse- How I Learned to Drive as Uncle Peck
• David Threlfall- Hangmen as Harry
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson- Lackawanna Blues as Various
• Sam Rockwell- American Buffalo as Teach
• Simon Russell Beale- The Lehman Trilogy as Henry Lehman
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Deirdre O’Connell- Dana H. as Dana Higginbotham
• Gabby Beans- The Skin of Our Teeth as Sabina
• LaChanze- Trouble in Mind as Wiletta Mayer
• Mary-Louise Parker- How I Learned to Drive as Li'l Bit
• Ruth Negga- Macbeth as Lady Macbeth
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Billy Crystal- Mr. Saturday Night as Buddy Young, Jr.
• Hugh Jackman- The Music Man as Harold Hill
• Jaquel Spivy- A Strange Loop as Usher
• Myles Frost- MJ as MJ
• Rob McClure- Mrs. Doubtfire as Daniel Hillard
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Carmen Cusack- Flying Over Sunset as Clare Booth Luce
• Joaquina Kalukango- Paradise Square as Nelly O'Brien
• Mare Winningham- Girl from the North Country as Elizabeth Laine
• Sharon D. Clarke- Caroline, or Change as Caroline Thibodeaux
• Sutton Foster- The Music Man as Marian Paroo
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Alfie Allen- Hangmen as Mooney
• Chuck Cooper- Trouble in Mind as Sheldon Forrester
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson- Take Me Out as Mason Marzac
• Jesse Williams- Take Me Out as Darren Lemming
• Michael Oberholtzer- Take Me Out as Shane Mungitt
• Ron Cephas Jones- Clyde's as Montrellous
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Julie White- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Harriet
• Kara Young- Clyde's as Letitia
• Kenita R. Miller- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf as Lady in Red
• Phylicia Rashad- Skeleton Crew as Faye
• Rachel Dratch- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Stephanie
• Uzo Aduba- Clyde's as Clyde
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• A.J. Shivley- Paradise Square as Owen Duigan
• Jared Grimes- Funny Girl as Eddie Ryan
• John-Andrew Morrison- A Strange Loop as Thought 4
• Matt Doyle- Company as Jamie
• Sidney DuPont- Paradise Square as Washington Henry
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Jayne Houdyshell- The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn
• Jennifer Simard- Company as Sarah
• Jeanette Bayardelle- Girl from the North Country as Mrs. Neilsen
• L. Morgan Lee- A Strange Loop as Thought 1
• Patti LuPone- Company as Joanne
• Shoshana Bean- Mr. Saturday Night as Susan Young
• Best Direction of a Play
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Les Walters- Dana H.
• Lileana Blain-Cruz- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Neil Pepe- American Buffalo
• Sam Mendes- The Lehman Trilogy
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage- Six
• Marianne Elliot- Company
• Stephen Brackett- A Strange Loop
• Best Book of a Musical
• Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel- Mr. Saturday Night
• Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan- Paradise Square
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lynn Nottage- MJ
• Michael R. Jackson-  A Strange Loop
• Best Original Score
• Jason Howland, Masi Asare, and Nathan Tysen- Paradise Square
• Jason Robert Brown and Amanda Green- Mr. Saturday Night
• Michael R. Jackson- A Strange Loop
• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss- Six
• Tom Kitt and Michael Korie- Flying Over Sunset
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• Adam Rigg- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Anna Fleischle- Hangmen
• Beowulf Boritt- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
• Es Devlin- The Lehman Trilogy
• Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong- Skeleton Crew
• Scott Pask- American Buffalo
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• Allen Moyer- Paradise Square
• Arnulfo Maldonado- A Strange Loop
• Beowulf Boritt and 59 Productions- Flying Over Sunset
• Bunny Christie- Company
• Derek McLane and Peter Nigrini- MJ
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• Emilio Sosa- Trouble in Mind
• Jane Greenwood- Plaza Suite
• Jennifer Moeller- Clyde's
• Montana Levi Blanco- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Sarafina Bush- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Fly Davis- Caroline, or Change
• Gabrielle Slade- Six
• Paul Tazewell- MJ
• Santo Loquasto- The Music Man
• Toni-Leslie James- Paradise Square
• William Ivey Long- Diana
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Jane Cox- Macbeth
• Jiyoun Chang- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Jon Clark- The Lehman Trilogy
• Joshua Carr- Hangmen
• Yi Zhao- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Bradley King- Flying Over Sunset
• Donald Holder- Paradise Square
• Jen Schriever- A Strange Loop
• Natasha Katz- MJ
• Neil Austin- Company
• Tim Deiling- Six
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• Justin Ellington- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Mikaal Sulaiman- Macbeth
• Mikhail Fiksel- Dana H.
• Nick Powell and Dominic Bilkey- The Lehman Trilogy
• Palmer Hefferan- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• Dan Moses Schreier- Flying Over Sunset
• Drew Levy- A Strange Loop
• Gareth Owen- MJ
• Ian Dickinson and Autograph- Company
• Paul Gatehouse- Six
• Best Choreography
• Bill T. Jones- Paradise Square
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Carrie-Anne Ingrouille- Six
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Warren Carlyle- The Music Man
• Best Orchestrations
• Charlie Rosen- A Strange Loop
• David Cullen and Sam Davis- Company
• Jason Howland- Paradise Square
• Simon Hale- Girl from the North Country
• Tom Curran- Six

Awards Per Production
5: Company; The Lehman Trilogy

4: MJ

2: Dana H.; Six; A Strange Loop; Take Me Out

1: Girl From the North Country; Paradise Square; Skeleton Crew; The Skin of Our Teeth

75th Annual Tony Awards Predictions: Part 3

TONY AWARDS ARE TOMORROW!!!!!! I am super excited for this years Tony Awards!!!! Why? It's the first time, in a long time, where (except for a few categories) the winners could be anyone. It all depends on how the Tony voters are feeling. I don't think there will be a clean sweep for any show this year. I am also super excited to watch the performances. Below is the key:

ABC= Who I think will win
ABC= Who I think should win

If the category only has a show in red, that means I don't have an opinion on who should win. If a category only has pink, that means this nominee is not only who I think should win, but who I think will win.

• Best Play
• Clyde's
• Hangmen
• The Lehman Trilogy
• The Minutes
• Skeleton Crew
• Best Musical
• Girl from the North Country
• MJ
• Mr. Saturday Night
• Paradise Square
• Six
• A Strange Loop
• Best Revival of a Play
• American Buffalo
• for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• How I Learned to Drive
• Take Me Out
• Trouble in Mind
• Best Revival of a Musical
• Caroline, or Change
• Company
• The Music Man
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Adam Godley- The Lehman Trilogy as Mayer Lehman
• Adrian Lester- The Lehman Trilogy as Emanuel Lehman
• David Morse- How I Learned to Drive as Uncle Peck
• David Threlfall- Hangmen as Harry
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson- Lackawanna Blues as Various
• Sam Rockwell- American Buffalo as Teach
• Simon Russell Beale- The Lehman Trilogy as Henry Lehman
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Deirdre O’Connell- Dana H. as Dana Higginbotham
• Gabby Beans- The Skin of Our Teeth as Sabina
• LaChanze- Trouble in Mind as Wiletta Mayer
• Mary-Louise Parker- How I Learned to Drive as Li'l Bit
• Ruth Negga- Macbeth as Lady Macbeth
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Billy Crystal- Mr. Saturday Night as Buddy Young, Jr.
• Hugh Jackman- The Music Man as Harold Hill
• Jaquel Spivy- A Strange Loop as Usher
• Myles Frost- MJ as MJ
• Rob McClure- Mrs. Doubtfire as Daniel Hillard
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Carmen Cusack- Flying Over Sunset as Clare Booth Luce
• Joaquina Kalukango- Paradise Square as Nelly O'Brien
• Mare Winningham- Girl from the North Country as Elizabeth Laine
• Sharon D. Clarke- Caroline, or Change as Caroline Thibodeaux
• Sutton Foster- The Music Man as Marian Paroo
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Alfie Allen- Hangmen as Mooney
• Chuck Cooper- Trouble in Mind as Sheldon Forrester
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson- Take Me Out as Mason Marzac
• Jesse Williams- Take Me Out as Darren Lemming
• Michael Oberholtzer- Take Me Out as Shane Mungitt
• Ron Cephas Jones- Clyde's as Montrellous
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Julie White- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Harriet
• Kara Young- Clyde's as Letitia
• Kenita R. Miller- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf as Lady in Red
• Phylicia Rashad- Skeleton Crew as Faye
• Rachel Dratch- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Stephanie
• Uzo Aduba- Clyde's as Clyde
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• A.J. Shivley- Paradise Square as Owen Duigan
• Jared Grimes- Funny Girl as Eddie Ryan
• John-Andrew Morrison- A Strange Loop as Thought 4
• Matt Doyle- Company as Jamie
• Sidney DuPont- Paradise Square as Washington Henry
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Jayne Houdyshell- The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn
• Jennifer Simard- Company as Sarah
• Jeanette Bayardelle- Girl from the North Country as Mrs. Neilsen
• L. Morgan Lee- A Strange Loop as Thought 1
• Patti LuPone- Company as Joanne
• Shoshana Bean- Mr. Saturday Night as Susan Young
• Best Direction of a Play
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Les Walters- Dana H.
• Lileana Blain-Cruz- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Neil Pepe- American Buffalo
• Sam Mendes- The Lehman Trilogy
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage- Six
• Marianne Elliot- Company
• Stephen Brackett- A Strange Loop
• Best Book of a Musical
• Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel- Mr. Saturday Night
• Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan- Paradise Square
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lynn Nottage- MJ
• Michael R. Jackson-  A Strange Loop
• Best Original Score
• Jason Howland, Masi Asare, and Nathan Tysen- Paradise Square
• Jason Robert Brown and Amanda Green- Mr. Saturday Night
• Michael R. Jackson- A Strange Loop
• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss- Six
• Tom Kitt and Michael Korie- Flying Over Sunset
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• Adam Rigg- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Anna Fleischle- Hangmen
• Beowulf Boritt- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
• Es Devlin- The Lehman Trilogy
• Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong- Skeleton Crew
• Scott Pask- American Buffalo
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• Allen Moyer- Paradise Square
• Arnulfo Maldonado- A Strange Loop
• Beowulf Boritt and 59 Productions- Flying Over Sunset
• Bunny Christie- Company
• Derek McLane and Peter Nigrini- MJ
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• Emilio Sosa- Trouble in Mind
• Jane Greenwood- Plaza Suite
• Jennifer Moeller- Clyde's
• Montana Levi Blanco- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Sarafina Bush- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Fly Davis- Caroline, or Change
• Gabrielle Slade- Six
• Paul Tazewell- MJ
• Santo Loquasto- The Music Man
• Toni-Leslie James- Paradise Square
• William Ivey Long- Diana
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Jane Cox- Macbeth
• Jiyoun Chang- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Jon Clark- The Lehman Trilogy
• Joshua Carr- Hangmen
• Yi Zhao- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Bradley King- Flying Over Sunset
• Donald Holder- Paradise Square
• Jen Schriever- A Strange Loop
• Natasha Katz- MJ
• Neil Austin- Company
• Tim Deiling- Six
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• Justin Ellington- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Mikaal Sulaiman- Macbeth
• Mikhail Fiksel- Dana H.
• Nick Powell and Dominic Bilkey- The Lehman Trilogy
• Palmer Hefferan- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• Dan Moses Schreier- Flying Over Sunset
• Drew Levy- A Strange Loop
• Gareth Owen- MJ
• Ian Dickinson and Autograph- Company
• Paul Gatehouse- Six
• Best Choreography
• Bill T. Jones- Paradise Square
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Carrie-Anne Ingrouille- Six
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Warren Carlyle- The Music Man
• Best Orchestrations
• Charlie Rosen- A Strange Loop
• David Cullen and Sam Davis- Company
• Jason Howland- Paradise Square
• Simon Hale- Girl from the North Country
• Tom Curran- Six

Awards Per Production
6: A Strange Loop

5: Company

4: The Lehman Trilogy

3: Paradise Square

2: Trouble in Mind

1: Dana H.; for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf; Macbeth; MJ; The Skin of Our Teeth; Take Me Out

75th Annual Tony Awards Predictions: Part 2

Let's see how we did! Overall, I was very surprised by: the amount of categories that had six nominees, the amount of Paradise Square nominees, the Funny Girl shut out for designs, Macbeth nominations (I really thought it was going to be shut out), and Paradise Square getting a Best Book nod over Six. 

ABC= Nominee I did not predict was nominated
ABC= Nominee prediction was not nominated

• Best Play
• Clyde's
• Hangmen
• The Lehman Trilogy
• The Minutes
• Skeleton Crew
• Best Musical
• Girl from the North Country
• MJ
• Mr. Saturday Night
• Paradise Square
• Six
• A Strange Loop
• Best Revival of a Play
• American Buffalo
• for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• How I Learned to Drive
• Take Me Out
• Trouble in Mind
• Best Revival of a Musical
• Caroline, or Change
• Company
• Funny Girl
• The Music Man
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Adam Godley- The Lehman Trilogy as Mayer Lehman
• Adrian Lester- The Lehman Trilogy as Emanuel Lehman
• David Morse- How I Learned to Drive as Uncle Peck
• David Threlfall- Hangmen as Harry
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson- Lackawanna Blues as Various
• Sam Rockwell- American Buffalo as Teach
• Simon Russell Beale- The Lehman Trilogy as Henry Lehman
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Deirdre O’Connell- Dana H. as Dana Higginbotham
• Gabby Beans- The Skin of Our Teeth as Sabina
• LaChanze- Trouble in Mind as Wiletta Mayer
• Mary-Louise Parker- How I Learned to Drive as Li'l Bit
• Ruth Negga- Macbeth as Lady Macbeth
• Sarah Jessica Parker- Plaza Suite as Karen Nash/Muriel Tate/Norma Hubley
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Billy Crystal- Mr. Saturday Night as Buddy Young, Jr.
• Hugh Jackman- The Music Man as Harold Hill
• Jaquel Spivy- A Strange Loop as Usher
• Myles Frost- MJ as MJ
• Rob McClure- Mrs. Doubtfire as Daniel Hillard
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Carmen Cusack- Flying Over Sunset as Clare Booth Luce
• Joaquina Kalukango- Paradise Square as Nelly O'Brien
• Katrina Lenk- Company as Bobbie
• Mare Winningham- Girl from the North Country as Elizabeth Laine
• Sharon D. Clarke- Caroline, or Change as Caroline Thibodeaux
• Sutton Foster- The Music Man as Marian Paroo
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Andy Nyman- Hangmen as Syd
• Alfie Allen- Hangmen as Mooney
• Austin Pendleton- The Minutes as Mr. Oldfield
• Chuck Cooper- Trouble in Mind as Sheldon Forrester
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson- Take Me Out as Mason Marzac
• Jesse Williams- Take Me Out as Darren Lemming
• Michael Oberholtzer- Take Me Out as Shane Mungitt
• Patrick J. Adams- Take Me Out as Kippy Sunderstrom
• Ron Cephas Jones- Clyde's as Montrellous
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Johanna Day- How I Learned to Drive as Female Greek Chorus
• Julie White- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Harriet
• Kara Young- Clyde's as Letitia
• Kenita R. Miller- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf as Lady in Red
• Phylicia Rashad- Skeleton Crew as Faye
• Rachel Dratch- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Stephanie
• Uzo Aduba- Clyde's as Clyde
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• A.J. Shively- Paradise Square as Owen Duignan
• Antwayn Hopper- A Strange Loop as Thought 6
• Claybourne Elder- Company as Andy
• Jared Grimes- Funny Girl as Eddie Ryan
• Jefferson Mays- The Music Man as Mayor Shinn
• John-Andrew Morrison- A Strange Loop as Thought 4
• Matt Doyle- Company as Jamie
• Sidney DuPont- Paradise Square as Washington Henry
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Jayne Houdyshell- The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn
• Jennifer Simard- Company as Sarah
• Kimber Sprawl- Girl from the North Country as Marianne Lane
• Jeanette Bayardelle- Girl from the North Country as Mrs. Neilsen
• L. Morgan Lee- A Strange Loop as Thought 1
• Patti LuPone- Company as Joanne
• Shoshana Bean- Mr. Saturday Night as Susan Young
• Best Direction of a Play
• Anna D. Shapiro- The Minutes
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Les Waters- Dana H.
• Lileana Blain-Cruz- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Mark Brokaw- How I Learned to Drive
• Matthew Dunster- Hangmen
• Neil Pepe- American Buffalo
• Sam Mendes- The Lehman Trilogy
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage- Six
• Marianne Elliot- Company
• Michael Longhurst- Caroline, or Change
• Stephen Brackett- A Strange Loop
• Best Book of a Musical
• Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel- Mr. Saturday Night
• Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan- Paradise Square
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lynn Nottage- MJ
• Michael R. Jackson- A Strange Loop
• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss- Six
• Best Original Score
• Jason Howland, Masi Asare, and Nathan Tysen- Paradise Square
• Jason Robert Brown and Amanda Green- Mr. Saturday Night
• Michael R. Jackson- A Strange Loop
• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss- Six
• Tom Kitt and Michael Korie- Flying Over Sunset
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• Adam Rigg- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Anna Fleischle- Hangmen
• Beowulf Boritt- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
• Es Devlin- The Lehman Trilogy
• John Lee Beatty- Plaza Suite
• Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong- Skeleton Crew
• Scott Pask- American Buffalo
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• Allen Moyer- Paradise Square
• Arnulfo Maldonado- A Strange Loop
• Beowulf Boritt and 59 Productions- Flying Over Sunset
• Bunny Christie- Company
• David Korins- Mrs. Doubtfire
• David Zinn- Funny Girl
• Derek McLane and Peter Nigrini- MJ
• Santo Loquasto- The Music Man
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• Anna Fleischle- Hangmen
• Emilio Sosa- Trouble in Mind
• Jane Greenwood- Plaza Suite
• Jennifer Moeller- Clyde's
• Linda Cho- Take Me Out
• Montana Levi Blanco- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Sarafina Bush- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Catherine Zuber- Mrs. Doubtfire
• Fly Davis- Caroline, or Change
• Gabrielle Slade- Six
• Paul Tazewell- MJ
• Santo Loquasto- The Music Man
• Susan Hilferty- Funny Girl
• Toni-Leslie James- Paradise Square
• William Ivey Long- Diana
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Brian MacDevitt- The Minutes
• Jane Cox- Macbeth
• Jiyoun Chang- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Jon Clark- The Lehman Trilogy
• Joshua Carr- Hangmen
• Mark McCullough- How I Learned to Drive
• Yi Zhao- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Bradley King- Flying Over Sunset
• Donald Holder- Paradise Square
• Jen Schriever- A Strange Loop
• Kevin Adams- Funny Girl
• Natasha Katz- MJ
• Neil Austin- Company
• Tim Deiling- Six
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• André Pluess- The Minutes
• David Van Tieghem- How I Learned to Drive
• Justin Ellington- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Mikaal Sulaiman- Macbeth
• Mikhail Fiksel- Dana H.
• Nick Powell and Dominic Bilkey- The Lehman Trilogy
• Palmer Hefferan- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• Dan Moses Schreier- Flying Over Sunset
• Drew Levy- A Strange Loop
• Gareth Owen- MJ
• Ian Dickinson and Autograph- Company
• Jon Weston- Paradise Square
• Paul Gatehouse- Six
• Best Choreography
• Bill T. Jones- Paradise Square
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Carrie-Anne Ingrouille- Six
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Ellenore Scott and Ayodele Casel- Funny Girl
• Warren Carlyle- The Music Man
• Best Orchestrations
• Charlie Rosen- A Strange Loop
• David Cullen and Sam Davis- Company
• Jason Howland- Paradise Square
• Simon Hale- Girl from the North Country
• Tom Curran- Six

75th Annual Tony Awards Predictions: Part 1

Oh my god. We're back! The Tony Awards are back! (I don't count that joke of a ceremony in 2021.) As always, I will give ya'll my predictions. These predictions are a mix of who I think will be nominated with some who I think should be nominated!

• Best Play
• Clyde's
• Hangmen
• The Lehman Trilogy
• The Minutes
• Skeleton Crew
• Best Musical
• Girl from the North Country
• MJ
• Mr. Saturday Night
• Six
• A Strange Loop
• Best Revival of a Play
• American Buffalo
• for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• How I Learned to Drive
• Take Me Out
• Trouble in Mind
• Best Revival of a Musical
• Caroline, or Change
• Company
• Funny Girl
• The Music Man
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• David Morse- How I Learned to Drive as Uncle Peck
• David Threlfall- Hangmen as Harry
• Ruben Santiago-Hudson- Lackawanna Blues as Various
• Sam Rockwell- American Buffalo as Teach
• Simon Russell Beale- The Lehman Trilogy as Henry Lehman
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Deirdre O’Connell- Dana H. as Dana Higginbotham
• Gabby Beans- The Skin of Our Teeth as Sabina
• LaChanze- Trouble in Mind as Wiletta Mayer
• Mary-Louise Parker- How I Learned to Drive as Li'l Bit
• Sarah Jessica Parker- Plaza Suite as Karen Nash/Muriel Tate/Norma Hubley
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Billy Crystal- Mr. Saturday Night as Buddy Young, Jr.
• Hugh Jackman- The Music Man as Harold Hill
• Jaquel Spivy- A Strange Loop as Usher
• Myles Frost- MJ as MJ
• Rob McClure- Mrs. Doubtfire as Daniel Hillard
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Carmen Cusack- Flying Over Sunset as Clare Booth Luce
• Joaquina Kalukango- Paradise Square as Nelly O'Brien
• Katrina Lenk- Company as Bobbie
• Mare Winningham- Girl from the North Country as Elizabeth Laine
• Sharon D. Clarke- Caroline, or Change as Caroline Thibodeaux
• Sutton Foster- The Music Man as Marian Paroo
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Andy Nyman- Hangmen as Syd
• Austin Pendleton- The Minutes as Mr. Oldfield
• Chuck Cooper- Trouble in Mind as Sheldon Forrester
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson- Take Me Out as Mason Marzac
• Patrick J. Adams- Take Me Out as Kippy Sunderstrom
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Johanna Day- How I Learned to Drive as Female Greek Chorus
• Julie White- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Harriet
• Kenita R. Miller- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf as Lady in Red
• Phylicia Rashad- Skeleton Crew as Faye
• Rachel Dratch- POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive as Stephanie
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• Antwayn Hopper- A Strange Loop as Thought 6
• Claybourne Elder- Company as Andy
• Jared Grimes- Funny Girl as Eddie Ryan
• Jefferson Mays- The Music Man as Mayor Shinn
• Matt Doyle- Company as Jamie
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Jayne Houdyshell- The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn
• Jennifer Simard- Company as Sarah
• Kimber Sprawl- Girl from the North Country as Marianne Lane
• L. Morgan Lee- A Strange Loop as Thought 1
• Patti LuPone- Company as Joanne
• Best Direction of a Play
• Anna D. Shapiro- The Minutes
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Mark Brokaw- How I Learned to Drive
• Matthew Dunster- Hangmen
• Sam Mendes- The Lehman Trilogy
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage- Six
• Marianne Elliot- Company
• Michael Longhurst- Caroline, or Change
• Stephen Brackett- A Strange Loop
• Best Book of a Musical
• Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel- Mr. Saturday Night
• Conor McPherson- Girl from the North Country
• Lynn Nottage- MJ
• Michael R. Jackson- A Strange Loop
• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss- Six
• Best Original Score
• Jason Howland, Masi Asare, and Nathan Tysen- Paradise Square
• Jason Robert Brown and Amanda Green- Mr. Saturday Night
• Michael R. Jackson- A Strange Loop
• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss- Six
• Tom Kitt and Michael Korie- Flying Over Sunset
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• Adam Rigg- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Anna Fleischle- Hangmen
• Es Devlin- The Lehman Trilogy
• John Lee Beatty- Plaza Suite
• Scott Pask- American Buffalo
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• Bunny Christie- Company
• David Korins- Mrs. Doubtfire
• David Zinn- Funny Girl
• Derek McLane and Peter Nigrini- MJ
• Santo Loquasto- The Music Man
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• Anna Fleischle- Hangmen
• Emilio Sosa- Trouble in Mind
• Jane Greenwood- Plaza Suite
• Linda Cho- Take Me Out
• Montana Levi Blanco- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Catherine Zuber- Mrs. Doubtfire
• Fly Davis- Caroline, or Change
• Gabrielle Slade- Six
• Susan Hilferty- Funny Girl
• Toni-Leslie James- Paradise Square
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Brian MacDevitt- The Minutes
• Jon Clark- The Lehman Trilogy
• Joshua Carr- Hangmen
• Mark McCullough- How I Learned to Drive
• Yi Zhao- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Jen Schriever- A Strange Loop
• Kevin Adams- Funny Girl
• Natasha Katz- MJ
• Neil Austin- Company
• Tim Deiling- Six
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• André Pluess- The Minutes
• David Van Tieghem- How I Learned to Drive
• Mikhail Fiksel- Dana H.
• Nick Powell- The Lehman Trilogy
• Palmer Hefferan- The Skin of Our Teeth
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• Dan Moses Schreier- Flying Over Sunset
• Drew Levy- A Strange Loop
• Ian Dickinson and Autograph- Company
• Jon Weston- Paradise Square
• Paul Gatehouse- Six
• Best Choreography
• Bill T. Jones- Paradise Square
• Camille A. Brown- for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
• Christopher Wheeldon- MJ
• Ellenore Scott and Ayodele Casel- Funny Girl
• Warren Carlyle- The Music Man
• Best Orchestrations
• Charlie Rosen- A Strange Loop
• David Cullen and Sam Davis- Company
• Jason Howland- Paradise Square
• Simon Hale- Girl from the North Country
• Tom Curran- Six

Multiple Nominations:

11: Company

10: A Strange Loop

8: Six

7: Hangmen; How I Learned to Drive; The Music Man

6: Funny Girl; Girl from the North Country; The Lehman Trilogy; MJ; Paradise Square

5: The Minutes; The Skin of Our Teeth

4: for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf; Mr. Saturday Night; Take Me Out

3: American Buffalo; Flying Over Sunset; Mrs. Doubtfire; Plaza Suite; Trouble in Mind

2: Dana H.; POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive; Skeleton Crew

Individuals with Multiple Nominations:
3- Lucy Moss

2- Anna Fleischle; Billy Crystal; Camille A. Brown; Conor McPherson; Jason Howland; Lynn Nottage; Michael R. Jackson; Toby Marlow

P.S. Happy Birthday to me!

P.S.S. Ariana DeBose as host? The devil works hard, but her managers work harder. Y’all know my feelings on her so that’s all I’m gonna say.

Change It: A Few Notes

 Howdy! I hope you all are doing well! Just a few quick notes.

1. Layout: As you may have noticed, the layout of my blog has changed. I've thought about doing this for a while, but have been hesitant. This new layout is only temporary, I am definitely not happy with how it turned out, but I am going to continue to work on it.
2. Podcast Episodes: I haven't forgotten this passion project of mine, things have just been a little hectic for me lately. I have many interviews lined up for the spring so be on the lookout for some great guests coming your way!
3. New Articles: I am currently working on a few different articles/opinion pieces for all of ya'll. I really want to get back into writing more articles with this blog. That's why I started it in the first place.
4. Instagram: I am currently in the process of setting up an Instagram for this account. Any Instagram gurus out there who want to help me? Shoot me a message on here, under "Dear Friend" or message me on Tumblr or Twitter.
5. The Diary of a Theatre Kid Live!: I haven't forgotten about this. I don't mean to keep putting it off, but I want to make sure, that when I do go live that I am at my best and can be fully focused on it.

My love to all of you who have supported me, old and new, from nearby or from afar. My love to you. Thanks again!

Dear Diary Episode Updates

Hello darlings!

I have a quick message about "Dear Diary". I love you all so much and this podcast is a passion project of mine, but I simply cannot do what my original plan was and to release episodes continuously on a weekly basis. From now own, episodes will be released sporadically and when ready. All new episodes will still debut on Fridays, but they will not be consistent. I will try and do at least, one or two episodes a month, but I won't be able to do one every week. This is not how I would have liked to do things, but this relieves SO MUCH stress for me!

I have two wonderful episodes coming out in January with Q Lim and Bradley Dean.

Run and Tell That: West Side Story (2021)

Note: By now ya'll know that I'm a terrible editor. So be prepared for me to be editing this AFTER I upload it. Also, I'm not a professional reviewer nor do I try to be in these. I'm simply stating what I thought. Spoilers... duh...

"From that first frame on the balcony to that slow walk behind Tony's body at the end she [Zegler] delivers a star performance!"

When I first heard that they were going to do a a new movie adaptation of West Side Story, my first thought was "Why?" I did not understand why one would even attempt this feat, considering the original film is not only a classic, but ICONIC and legendary. The duo of Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins created one of the most iconic movie musicals of all time. When I heard Steven Spielberg was making it, I got even more concerned... Spielberg is a phenomenal and legendary director, but he's never directed a musical before. My question of "Why?" was

becoming even more relevant. As the cast list came out and more news came out, I continued to ask that question "Why?" Why would you change Doc, who in the show was a white man, to Valentina, a Latina woman? If the Jets hate all Puerto Ricans/Latinos, why would they be friends with Val? As for the cast itself, I was indifferent to the cast, except for one person (who I'll talk about later.) As well all know the pandemic struck and truthfully this film was put on the back burner for me. I originally had no intent of seeing this film in theatres, I'd wait until it came out on a streaming service. However, when the film came out it was receiving RAVE REVIEWS from EVERYONE and I had to see it myself because I thought, "There's truly no way this movie will be able to stand up to the original." (SIDE BAR: Look... I know in the original movie, that a lot of the Sharks were people in brown face, Natalie Wood and George Chakiris being the main two. Yes, I am whole heartedly against any type of brown face, yellow face and black face and I find it disgusting, but even in spite of that, I cannot deny that their performances in the original film were SUPERB. If that makes me a terrible person, then so be it, but that's my note on the original film. END SIDE BAR) Anyway, I went into the theatre trying to keep an open mind. First and foremost, I get to my seat (It's assigned seating in this

Rita Moreno

theatre, because they have those chairs where you press a button and it reclines) and as I'm wiping it down some guy comes in and says, "Do you work here?" and I said, "No. I'm just cleaning my seat." He then proceeds to go on this anti-vaxxing rant and I thought, "Nope. Not doing this." So I went to the wonderful ticket seller and asked for my seat to be moved and they wonderfully agreed. Anyway, I went into the theatre trying to keep an open mind. I found the opening to be incredibly boring. I wasn't drawn into the world and I quite frankly didn't care about the world, until Maria, Rachel Zegler, entered. I found myself a bit bored whenever Maria wasn't on screen. The film featured an updated screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tony Kushner, who delivers another glorious script, to no surprise by anyone. While, I was originally against not excited for some of the changes, specifically the new character of Val, Rita Moreno, all of the changes worked gorgeously. I absolutely LOVED the character of Val (who replaced Doc from the stage show.) Her character adds so much depth to the story and to the character of Tony. Having Val sing a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere" and her touching little anecdotes were beautiful. I honestly think that from now on that Val should be retroactively added in every iteration of West Side Story. Another change Kushner made was to the character of Anybodys, portrayed by Iris Menas, who in this version is now trans. I thought this change was so small, but it added a lot of depth to the character. There were some other small changes that I enjoyed, such as Chino now having a character arc and some subtle changes to the character of Maria. However, there were some changes that I did not like though. I did not get the whole "Tony's on parole after doing a year in prison because he almost killed some kid" arc. I found that to be incredibly stupid and pointless. Another change, that I absolutely HATED was Tony fighting Bernardo at

Mike Faist

the beginning of the rumble. It completely goes against everything he is as a character, at least in my eyes. His whole purpose of going to the rumble is to stop the fighting. He kills Bernardo in a fit of rage for killing his best friend. Having Tony have a fist fight with Bernardo before the knife fight between Riff and Bernardo just goes against Tony as a character. The mastermind behind this entire film is the legendary, iconic, world renowned director Steven Spielberg who of course delivers a stunning film. I was surprised at how musical he made his film. He didn't try and justify why the characters were singing he just said "They're singing... So what?" As well all know, Spielberg is a phenomenal director, but I don't think it was anything ground breaking, not compared to some of his other films. The choreography by Justin Peck is absolutely sublime. There were some wonderful nods to Jerome Robbins, while still being fresh and new. The cinematography by Janusz Kaminski was stunning and beautifully showed Adam Stockhausen and Paul Tazwell's gorgeous designs. The film was visually stunning, but I felt that several of the performances fell flat. There were some great featured performers including Brian d'Arcy James, Josh Andrés Rivera and Iris Menas as Krupke, Chino and Anybodys. They all delivered wonderful performances. The superb Rita Moreno portrayed a lovely Valentina, or Val for short. Her character had so much depth and warmth. She served as a motherly figure to Tony and delivers a heartbreaking rendition of "Somewhere". Unfortunately, I found Mike Faist who

David Alvarez and Ariana DeBose

portrayed Riff, the leader of the Jets, to be egregiously miscast. His portrayal of Riff was almost comical, it felt like I was watching a panto production at times. It felt like he was trying too hard, I was getting Joker vibes (That awful Jared Leto version though) and I did not find him exciting or even threatening. I did not believe for a minute that Riff was able to run and lead a gang. On the opposite end of the spectrum was David Alvarez who delivers a wonderful Bernardo. Alvarez portrayed the hot-headed Bernardo perfectly and with a beautiful singing voice and he is equally matched in his talents as a dancer. Alvarez was a knock out. Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita is portrayed by Ariana DeBose. I was very surprised by her performance. DeBose has improved immensely as an actor, but there is one major problem that I still have with her, she isn't captivating. She does not capture my attention. I didn't get that spark from her like I get when I watch Rita Moreno, Karen Olivo or Chita Rivera there's simply no, for lack of a better word, substance with her. At least not that I'm seeing. (I still firmly stand behind that Naya Rivera should have been Anita because THAT would have been an Oscar worthy performance. Her rendition of "America" would have been brilliant and she would have been terrifying in "A Boy Like That/I Have A Love". ESPECIALLY with Spielberg directing her.) The one who sets everything in motion is Tony, portrayed by Ansel Elgort. Elgort is overall decent. He has a decent voice, he's a decent actor,

Rachel Zegler

but he did not bring anything new to the role. I also found his Tony to be extremely predatorial towards Maria. It seemed almost creepy their relationship, I was getting a little bit of Joe from You. It was super creepy. The shining star of the night goes to Rachel Zegler. I mean JESUS CHRIST! Her Maria is absolutely GORGEOUS! Her Maria is strong, fearless and powerful, not the typical ingénue approach that you normally get. This Maria stands up to Bernardo and challenges him actively. Zegler's voice is just as beautiful as her singing, she delivers a gorgeous "Tonight", followed by a witty, fun and exciting "I Feel Pretty" to a heart wrenching "A Boy Like That/I Have A Love". Zegler's gorgeous soprano delivers again and again. From that first frame on the balcony to that slow walk behind Tony's body at the end she delivers a star performance! Overall, West Side Story is a gorgeous film, but it suffers whenever Zegler or Moreno aren't on screen. While it features some stunning performances, if I had to chose between the 1961 film and this one, I'd chose the 1961 film.

"Hold my hand and we're half way there. Hold my hand and I'll take you there. Somehow. Someday, somewhere"