We’re only a week into Tony season and there is already some major movement. A lot has happened since we analyzed the initial standings of each Tony Awards nominee last week. Last night brought us the announcement of the Outer Critics Circle & Lucille Lortel Awards, but what do those mean for Tony hopefuls?
Let’s take a look…
Best Musical
1. Dear Evan Hansen (+1)1. Come From Away (+2)
3. Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (-2)
4. Groundhog Day
What Happened: Last week, The Great Comet surprised us by receiving more nominations than any other production, and for the first time in several months, we saw a path for it to win this category. The dust settled and Dear Evan Hansen, which has long been the favorite to win Best Musical, returned to its place as the leader of the pack. Last night, though, two critical events took place. First, Come From Away dominated at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, which helped it move from third up to second in the category, with Evan Hansen in front of them. But second, the Lucille Lortel Awards awarded The Band’s Visit the Outstanding Musical award over Dear Evan Hansen, indicating that the Hansen train may not be as much of a powerhouse as everyone has thought. This is still a very close category.
Best Director of a Musical
1. Rachel Chavkin (+1) (Great Comet)2. Christopher Ashley (+1) (Come From Away)
3. Michael Greif (-2) (Dear Evan Hansen)
4. Jerry Zaks (Hello, Dolly!)
5. Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day)
What Happened: With Great Comet losing the lead in the Best Musical category, Chavkin has taken the lead. As I mentioned last week, it’s likely that best direction is given to one of the top contenders for Best Musical which does not win. This also explains why Ashley has passed Grief, since Deare Evan Hansen is now back as the Best Musical favorite.
Best Play
1. Oslo (+1)2. Sweat (-1)
3. A Doll’s House, Part 2
4. Indecent
What Happened: Oslo won both the OCC and Lortel last night, which was enough to catch up with and take the lead from Pulitzer Prize winner Sweat
Best Revival of a Play
1. Jitney (+1)2. The Little Foxes (-1)
3. Present Laughter
4. Six Degrees of Separation
What Happened: Jitney took home the OCC last night, giving it the slightest of leads over The Little Foxes.
Best Director of a Play
1. Rebecca Taichman (+2)(Indecent)2. Daniel Sullivan (-1) (The Little Foxes)
3. Ruben Santiago-Hudson (-1) (Jitney)
4. Sam Gold (A Doll’s House, Part 2)
5. Bartlett Sher (Oslo)
What Happened: Taichman won the OCC. Indecent was also a well liked production that got only a few Tony Nods. It’s not very likely to win Best Play, but the voters can give it some love in Directing instead. Sullivan is not far behind, though, and there is still plenty of time.
Best Leading Actress in a Play
1. Laura Linney (Regina Giddens, The Little Foxes)2. Laurie Metcalf (-1) (Nora, A Doll’s House, Part 2)
3. Sally Field (Amanda Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie)
4. Cate Blanchett (Anna, The Present)
5. Jennifer Ehle (Mona Juul, Oslo)
What Happened: Linney won the OCC, breaking her tie for 1st with Metcalf.
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