Blog

Latest News and Updates

05-16-tony-nominations.jpg

2019 Tony Awards Nominations Predictions

In case you didn’t know, we’re obsessed with predicting the Tony Awards. While the Tony telecast isn’t until June 9th, we’re getting started early and publishing our predictions for nominations in each category here. A lot of the predictions below are for productions we haven’t seen yet, and those are based on rumors and industry buzz. As we see more shows this season, we will update this page with our most recent predictions.

We’ll be updating and adding categories up until nomination day.

What we haven’t seen yet: Ain’t Too Proud; All My Sons; Ink; King Kong; King Lear; Pretty Woman; Straight White Men.

Note: As of right now, due to the lack of announced musical revivals, the Tony Committee could decide to put Kiss Me, Kate and Oklahoma! in competition with the play revivals for a “Best Revival” Tony. However, we are expecting that the committee may rule to let the two musical revivals compete in their own category, so we will keep a space for Best Musical Revival below, until we know for sure whether or not that category will exist.

Last Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2019

Tony Award for Best Musical

Shoo-Ins
Hadestown
The Prom
On the Bubble
Tootsie
Ain’t Too Proud
Be More Chill

Dark Horses
Beetlejuice
Head Over Heels

Tony Award for Best Play

Shoo-Ins
The Ferryman
To Kill a Mockingbird
On the Bubble
What the Constitution Means to Me
Choir Boy
Network
Ink
Hillary and Clinton

Dark Horses
Gary
The Lifespan of a Fact
American Son

Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Kiss Me, Kate
Oklahoma!

On the Bubble

Dark Horses

Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play

Shoo-Ins
The Waverly Gallery
On the Bubble
All My Sons
Torch Song
The Boys in the Band

Dark Horses
Burn This
King Lear
True West

Best Leading Actor in a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Santino Fontana (Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels, Tootsie)
Brooks Ashmanskas (Barry Glickman, The Prom)
On the Bubble
Damon Daunno (Curly, Oklahoma!)
Reeve Carney (Orpheus, Hadestown)
Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams, Ain’t Too Proud)

Dark Horses
Will Chase (Fred Graham/Petrucio, Kiss Me, Kate)
Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice)
Will Roland (Jeremy Heere, Be More Chill)

Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Stephanie J. Block (Star Cher, The Cher Show)
Beth Leavel (Dee Dee Allen, The Prom)
On the Bubble
Kelli O’Hara (Lilli Vanessi/Katherine, Kiss Me, Kate)
Sophia Anne Caruso (Lydia Deetz, Beetlejuice)
Eva Noblezada (Eurydice, Hadestown)
Rebecca Naomi Jones (Laurey, Oklahoma!)

Dark Horses
Caitlin Kinnunen (Emma, The Prom)
Samantha Barks (Vivian Ward, Pretty Woman)

Best Leading Actor in a Play

Shoo-Ins
Bryan Cranston (Howard Beale, Network)
On the Bubble
Jeff Daniels (Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird)
Jeremy Pope (Pharus Jonathan Young, Choir Boy)
Paddy Considine (Quinn Carney, The Ferryman)
Adam Driver (Pale, Burn This)
John Lithgow (Bill Clinton, Hillary and Clinton)
Michael Urie (Arnold, Torch Song)
Nathan Lane (Gary, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus)
Tracy Letts (Joe Keller, All My Sons)
Jonny Lee Miller (Larry Lamb, Ink)

Dark Horses
Jim Parsons (Michael, The Boys in the Band)
Ethan Hawke (Lee, True West)
Steven Pasquale (Scott, American Son)
Lucas Hedges (Daniel Reed, The Waverly Gallery)
Daniel Radcliffe (Jim, The Lifespan of a Fact)
Bobby Cannavale (John, The Lifespan of a Fact)

Best Leading Actress in a Play

Shoo-Ins
Elaine May (Gladys Green, The Waverly Gallery)
On the Bubble
Glenda Jackson (King Lear, King Lear)
Heidi Schreck (Heidi, What the Constitution Means to Me)
Annette Bening (Kate Keller, All My Sons)
Laurie Metcalf (Hillary Clinton, Hillary and Clinton)

Dark Horses
Laura Donnelly (Caitlin Carney, The Ferryman)
Keri Russell (Anna Mann, Burn This)
Janet McTeer (Sarah Bernhardt, Bernhardt/Hamlet)
Cherry Jones (Emily, The Lifespan of a Fact)
Kerry Washington (Kendra, American Son)

Best Director of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Daniel Fish (Oklahoma)
Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown)
On the Bubble
Casey Nicholaw (The Prom)
Scott Ellis (Tootsie)
Scott Ellis (Kiss Me, Kate)

Dark Horses
Stephen Brackett (Be More Chill)
Alex Timbers (Beetlejuice)
Des McAnuff (Ain’t Too Proud)

Best Director of a Play

Shoo-Ins
Sam Mendes (The Ferryman)
Bartlett Sher (To Kill A Mockingbird)
On the Bubble
Ivo Van Hove (Network)
Joe Mantello (The Boys in the Band)
Rupert Goold (Ink)
Moises Kaufman (Torch Song)
Jack O’Brien (All My Sons)

Dark Horses
Lila Neugebauer (The Waverly Gallery)
George C. Wolfe (Gary)
Joe Mantello (Hillary and Clinton)
Kenny Leon (American Son)
Trip Cullman (Choir Boy)

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Patrick Page (Hades, Hadestown)
On the Bubble
Andre De Shields (Hermes, Hadestown)
Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin, Ain’t Too Proud)
George Salazar (Michael Mell, Be More Chill)
Jeremy Pope (Eddie Kendricks, Ain’t Too Proud)
Corbin Bleu (Lucentio/Bill Calhoun, Kiss Me, Kate)
Reg Rogers (Ron Carlisle, Tootsie)
Patrick Vaill (Jud Fry, Oklahoma!)
Jarrod Spector (Sonny Bono, The Cher Show)

Dark Horses
Will Brill (Ali Hakim, Oklahoma!)
James Davis (Will Parker, Oklahoma!)
Andy Grotelueschen (Jeff Slater, Tootsie)
John Behlmann (Max Van Horn, Tootsie)
Christopher Sieber (Trent Oliver, The Prom)
Rob McClure (Adam Maitland, Beetlejuice)

Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Amber Gray (Persephone, Hadestown)
Ali Stroker (Ado Annie, Oklahoma!)
On the Bubble
Leslie Kritzer (Delia, Beetlejuice)
Bonnie Milligan (Pamela, Head Over Heels)
Mary Testa (Aunt Eller, Oklahoma!)
Sarah Stiles (Sandy Lester, Tootsie)

Dark Horses
Angie Schworer (Angie, The Prom)
Stephanie Hsu (Christine Canigula, Be More Chill)
Lilli Cooper (Julie Nichols, Tootsie)
Michaela Diamond (Babe Cher, The Cher Show)
Kerry Butler (Barbara Maitland, Beetlejuice)
Tiffany Mann (Jenna Rolan, Be More Chill)

Best Featured Actor in a Play

Shoo-Ins

On the Bubble
Brandon Uranowitz (Larry, Burn This)
Robin De Jesus (Emory, The Boys in the Band)
Benjamin Walker (Chris Keller, All My Sons)
Gideon Glick (Dill Harris, To Kill a Mockingbird)
Will Pullen (Jem Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird)
John Clay III (Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James, Choir Boy)
Bertie Carvel (Rupert Murdoch, Ink)
Hampton Fluker (George Deever, All My Sons)
Zachary Quinto (Harold, The Boys in the Band)

Dark Horses
Zak Orth (Mark Penn, Hillary and Clinton)
Austin Pendleton (Mr. Pendleton, Choir Boy)
Frederick Weller (Bob Ewell, To Kill a Mockingbird)
Nicholas L. Ashe (Junior Blake, Choir Boy)
Tony Goldwyn (Max Schumacher, Network)
Dakin Matthews (Judge Taylor, To Kill a Mockingbird)

Best Featured Actress in a Play

Shoo-Ins
Celia Keenan-Bolger (Scout Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird)
On the Bubble
LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Calpurnia, To Kill a Mockingbird)
Mercedes Ruehl (Mrs. Beckoffin, Torch Song)
Ruth Wilson (Cordelia/Fool, King Lear)
Joan Allen (Ellen Fine, The Waverly Gallery
Fionnula Flanagan (Aunt Maggie Faraway, The Ferryman)

Dark Horses
Julie White (Carol, Gary)
Kristine Nielsen (Janice, Gary)
Jayne Houdyshell (Earl of Gloucester, King Lear)
Tatiana Maslany (Diana Christensen, Network)

Best Book of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud)
Robert Horn (Tootsie)
On the Bubble
Anaïs Mitchell (Hadestown)
Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin (The Prom)
Jeff Whitty & James Magruder (Head Over Heels)
Scott Brown & Anthony King (Beetlejuice)

Dark Horses
Joe Tracz (Be More Chill)

Best Original Score

Shoo-Ins
Hadestown (Music & Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell)
The Prom (Music by Matthew Sklar, Lyrics by Chad Beguelin)
On the Bubble
Tootsie (Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek)
Be More Chill (Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis)
Choir Boy (Music by Jason Michael Webb)

Dark Horses
Beetlejuice (Music & Lyrics by Eddie Perfect)
Gary (Music by Danny Elfman)
King Lear (Music by Philip Glass)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Music by Adam Guettel)

Best Choreography

Shoo-Ins
David Neuman (Hadestown)
Warren Carlyle (Kiss Me, Kate)
On the Bubble
Denis Jones (Tootsie)
Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud)
Casey Nicholaw (The Prom)
Spencer Liff (Head Over Heels)
Christopher Gattelli (The Cher Show)

Dark Horses
Chase Brock (Be More Chill)
John Heginbotham (Oklahoma!)
Jerry Mitchell (Pretty Woman)
Drew McOnie (King Kong)
Camille A. Brown (Choir Boy)

Best Orchestrations

Shoo-Ins
Michael Chorney & Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown)
Daniel Kluger (Oklahoma!)
On the Bubble
Larry Hochman & John Clancy (The Prom)
Harold Wheeler (Ain’t Too Proud)
Charlie Rosen (Be More Chill)
Larry Hochman (Kiss Me, Kate)
Daryl Waters (The Cher Show)

Dark Horses
Tom Kitt (Head Over Heels)
Simon Hale (Tootsie)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
David Korins (Beetlejuice)
Rachel Hauck (Hadestown)
On the Bubble
David Rockwell (Tootsie)
Peter England (King Kong)
Laura Jellinek (Oklahoma!)
David Rockwell (Kiss Me, Kate)

Dark Horses
Beowulf Boritt & Alex Basco Koch (Be More Chill)
Christine Jones, Brett J. Banakis & Darrel Maloney (The Cher Show)
Robert Brill & Peter Nigrini (Ain’t Too Proud)

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Shoo-Ins
Miriam Buether (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Jan Versweyveld (Network)
On the Bubble
Bunny Christie (Ink)
Rob Howell (The Ferryman)
Beowulf Boritt (Bernhardt/Hamlet)
Derek McLane (Burn This)
Santo Loquasto (Gary)
David Zinn (Torch Song)
Mimi Lien (True West)

Dark Horses
Derek McLane (American Son)
David Rockwell (The Nap)
David Zinn (The Boys in the Band)

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Michael Krass (Hadestown)
William Ivey Long (Beetlejuice)
On the Bubble
William Ivey Long (Tootsie)
Jeff Mahshie (Kiss Me, Kate)
Bob Mackie (The Cher Show)
Bobby Frederick Tilley II (Be More Chill)
Paul Tazewell (Ain’t Too Proud)

Dark Horses
Roger Kirk (King Kong)
Ann Roth & Matthew Pachtman (The Prom)
Arianne Phillips (Head Over Heels)
Terese Wadden (Oklahoma!)

Best Costume Design of a Play

Shoo-Ins
Toni-Leslie James (Bernhardt/Hamlet)
On the Bubble
David Zinn (Choir Boy)
Ann Roth (Gary)
Ann Roth (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Rob Howell (The Ferryman)
Kate Voyce (The Nap)
David Zinn (The Boys in the Band)
Jane Greenwood (All My Sons)
Ann Roth (King Lear)

Dark Horses
Bunny Christie (Ink)
An D’Huys (Network)
Ann Roth (The Waverly Gallery)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Bradley King (Hadestown)
On the Bubble
Kenneth Posner (Beetlejuice)
Donald Holder (Tootsie)
Howell Binkley (Ain’t Too Proud)
Natasha Katz (The Prom)
Peter Mumford (King Kong)
Kevin Adams (Head Over Heels)
Scott Zielinski (Oklahoma!)

Dark Horses
Donald Holder (Kiss Me, Kate)
Tyler Micoleau (Be More Chill)
Kevin Adams (The Cher Show)

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Shoo-Ins
Neil Austin (Ink)
On the Bubble
Jan Verseyveld & Tal Yarden (Network)
Peter Mumford (The Ferryman)
Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer (Gary)
Peter Kaczorowski (Choir Boy)
Natasha Katz (Burn This)
Jennifer Tipton (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Natasha Katz (All My Sons)

Dark Horses
David Lander (Torch Song)
Brian MacDevitt (The Waverly Gallery)

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Shoo-Ins
Peter Hylenski (King Kong)
Nevin Steinberg & Jessica Paz (Hadestown)
On the Bubble
Drew Levy (Oklahoma!)
Brian Ronan (Tootsie)
Peter Kylenski (Beetlejuice)
Ryan Rumery (Be More Chill)

Dark Horses
Steve Canyon Kennedy (Ain’t Too Proud)
Brian Ronan (The Prom)

Best Sound Design of a Play

Shoo-Ins
Eric Sleichim (Network)
Fitz Patton (Choir Boy)
On the Bubble
Scott Lehrer (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Nick Powell (The Ferryman)
Dan Moses Schreier (Gary)
Scott Lehrer (King Lear)
Jon Gromada (All My Sons)

Dark Horses
Bray Poor (True West)
David van Tieghem (Burn This)
Lindsay Jones (The Nap)

Oliver2019 Tony Awards Nominations Predictions
Share this post

89 comments

Join the conversation
  • Walker Dixon - February 18, 2019 reply

    Where would you put Beetlejuice on your list for Best Musical? And wouldn’t The Prom be a Shoo-In for Best Musical considering the insanely positive reviews it got? (I saw it in December and it was incredible).

    Oliver - February 23, 2019 reply

    Hi Walker,
    Beetlejuice right now has slim to no chance at being nominated based on the feedback from their out-of-town production. If the work they have done to fix the show proves to change the audience and critical reaction to it, then it may make it back on the list. Right now, that scenario doesn’t look very likely.

    The Prom, on the other hand, is very likely to get the nomination. I’m glad you enjoyed it, I loved it too. It’s very close to being a lock for a Best Musical nomination, but I think it has to sustain its current sales for a few more weeks in order to solidify its nod.

    giovanna - March 22, 2019 reply

    but doesn’t the tony awards base everything (mostly) on talent / execution? sales have nothing to do with it. the bands visit, for example, is now closing and even when it was nominated the sales weren’t as good as they are now.

    Oliver - March 22, 2019 reply

    In theory, yes – the shows that are the ‘best’ get nominated. However, shows that stand to gain the most from the nomination (meaning shows that are open and will remain open) usually have an edge, independent of their merit. I think there was a question of whether The Prom would fit that qualification, but now it has definitely demonstrated a strong enough performance at the box office that it is now nearly locked as a Best Musical nominee, which will be reflected in these predictions on the next update.

  • Jordan - February 23, 2019 reply

    Hey Oliver,
    I’m so excited to watch this develop as more shows open. two quick questions. The Cher Show isn’t in the Best Musical category? Also, do you think that with the amazing reviews The Prom has received (NYT Critics Pick), it would have a better chance of being nominated? I’m rooting for The Prom this season! Thank you, I look forward to hear your opinions.

    Oliver - February 23, 2019 reply

    The Cher show is eligible for a Best Musical nod – I don’t think there’s a chance it gets one though. Not if the competition set to open this Spring is as good as everyone is expecting. The Prom does have a very good chance at being nominated. I think it’s likely to become a locked nomination as we get closer to Nomination date and the competing shows open up.

    Check back for updates and new categories added later this week!

  • J - March 8, 2019 reply

    Hi Oliver! This is the third year that I’m following your blog for Tony Nominations and this year is going to be a good season. What do you think the early race will be for best supporting actor in a musical? I’ve heard early for Patrick Page (Hades, Hadestown), George Salazar (Michael Mell, Be More Chill) and Jarrod Spector (Sonny Bono, The Cher Show). Anyone else you think will be in early contention? Also what about for supporting actress?

    Oliver - March 10, 2019 reply

    Hi J. Thanks for reading along the past few years. I think you nailed supporting actor, and I think Page is the heavy favorite. Supporting actress is tougher. I’ll have my picks for supporting actor/actress up here in a few weeks, but you can bet you’ll see Amber Gray (Persephone, Hadestown) on there. Other possible nominees are Oklahoma!’s Ali Stroker (Ado Annie) and Mary Testa (Aunt Eller), and a dark horse in Bonnie Milligan (Pamela, Head Over Heels). Check back soon for a complete analysis of the Supporting Actress category.

  • Henry - March 10, 2019 reply

    Do you see Elaine May winning for The Waverly Gallery?

    Also why don’t you have The Waverly Gallery making the cut? I feel like it’s a lock to win Revival of a Play.

    Oliver - March 10, 2019 reply

    Hi Henry! Elaine May is a very strong contender. The Waverly Gallery is far from a lock to win the category, but I think you are right that I was wrong to omit it completely. It is definitely at least a dark horse.

    Henry Heistand - March 12, 2019 reply

    You’re right, I probably should never use the word “lock” when talking about award shows haha. But I do think it’s a serious contender. I would be shocked to see it left out of the category. Why do you think it will miss out?

    Oliver - March 12, 2019 reply

    Fall plays are less likely to pick up nominations and I think of the fall revivals, Torch Song is sure to get a nod. Also The Waverly Gallery was not universally loved. I know a lot of people who thought Elaine May was fantastic but the show on the whole was nothing special.

    Henry Heistand - March 12, 2019

    I thought the show received rave reviews across the board? Didn’t it get the NYT Critic’s pick? Also the Tonys love Lonergan. His previous plays This is Our Youth and Lobby Hero both received nominations in the Play category.

    Oliver - March 12, 2019

    Every single play this season has been a Critic’s Pick. So that’s not really meaningful as of right now. It definitely may get a nomination but it isn’t a sure thing. There are a lot of revivals this season and it would only get a nod if 2 spring plays end up being worse than they are expected.

    Henry Heistand - March 12, 2019

    Wow, thats crazy that every play this season has been a Critic’s Pick. I just saw True West, what do you think about it’s nomination chances? I could see Hawke getting in for his broad and showy physical performance. I think it has a shot at getting into revival as well.

    Oliver - March 12, 2019

    That’s another one that is up in the air. It was not the most buzzed about production of the year, but Hawke did get pretty universal praise and I think he could get a nod for that. The production will have a harder time getting a nomination but definitely has a shot.

  • Kenneth Glinski - March 11, 2019 reply

    Hi Oliver,
    0
    We are thinking about what show to buy tickets for during my wife’s spring break (she is a teacher). We are debating Tootsie or Hadestown. I have heard alot of buzz about Hadestown but worry the Jazzy feel won’t connect with me… any input on which show we should check out? I know reviews aren’t going to be out for a few weeks.

    Oliver - March 12, 2019 reply

    I think if you aren’t into a jazzy score, Hadestown may not be for you (but it is fantastic!). I have no idea what to expect from Tootsie unfortunately, though the one thing I do hear is that Santino is phenomenal. The other show I’d suggest you consider is The Prom.

    Jake - March 13, 2019 reply

    I saw “Tootsie” in its out-of-town-tryout in Chicago and it was a very good show. There were some parts that did bother me, but Santino was absolutely phenomenal and the sets were pretty great. I would choose “Hadestown” based on my love for Chavkin’s previous work, “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812,” but “Tootsie” wouldn’t be a bad choice by any means!

    Kenn - March 14, 2019 reply

    Thanks for all your input! We heavily debated and even thought about The Prom but have decided we will give Hadestown a shot! Crossing our fingers and looking forward to the snow!

    Oliver - March 18, 2019

    That’s a great choice! Hope you enjoy.

  • Henry Heistand - March 12, 2019 reply

    The Best Actor in a Play category is the most competitive race I’ve seen in a while. The only sure things appear to be Daniels and Cranston. After that who knows. The last three could go to Urie (Torch Song), Considine (The Ferryman) and Jeremy Pope (Choir Boy)
    Or the slots could go to movie stars, Hawke (True West), Letts (All My Sons), Lithgow (Hillary and Clinton), Driver (Burn This). I have the last 3 slots going to Considine, Lithgow, and Letts but I could be wrong.

    Ethan Hawke, True West
    Tracy Letts, All My Sons
    John Lithgow, Hillary and Clinton

    Oliver - March 12, 2019 reply

    You are 100% right about that. Almost all of the eligible contenders have been nominated for a Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar or Olivier before, and many have won one or more of those. I think it will come down to Cranston v. Daniels. I also know we are only one preview into Gary, but I’m hearing Nathan Lane might be a shoo-in as well.

    Henry Heistand - March 12, 2019 reply

    I feel like Daniels has the edge? Cranston has won before, and Daniels has been nominated several times and has yet to win and this seems like a show everyone loves and loves him in it.
    Lane always gives a great performance but it’s going to be tough the squeeze him in to that already crowded Best Actor field.

    Oliver - March 12, 2019 reply

    You may be right, though I personally think Cranston is giving one of the best performances in recent memory so he could definitely win.

  • Laura - March 12, 2019 reply

    I saw American son and i was amazed by kerry Washington’s performance why you don’t think she will get a nomination ?

    Oliver - March 13, 2019 reply

    My sense is that most people thought she was good, but not great. Her competition is really rough.

  • Garrett J Olsen - March 15, 2019 reply

    I think Network is one of the most brilliant plays in a long time. The way they chose to adapt it compared to the 70s movie is one of the most relevant, rousing, and overall impressive things I’ve ever seen. Tatiana Maslany will likely get nominated for Supporting Actress. Tony Goldwyn may get a nod as well, but I think it’s unlikelier. Even if Network doesn’t win the production or acting categories, however, they will probably sweep most of the technical ones.

    Oliver - March 18, 2019 reply

    I love Network as well. I think Bryan is their best shot at actually winning an award, though I also do agree they will be up for some design awards.

  • Jordan - March 19, 2019 reply

    Do you think Chris Sieber has a possible chance at a featured actor nomination?

  • Luke - April 1, 2019 reply

    When are you planning on adding the featured categories and technical awards?

    Oliver - April 11, 2019 reply

    Featured Actor/Actress in a Musical went up today. Featured categories for plays will go up next week and the technical categories will follow soon after!

  • Jaide - April 3, 2019 reply

    Hey Oliver,
    What are your thoughts about a Best score for Hadestown? Also what would you say would be competition for it?

    Oliver - April 11, 2019 reply

    I think Hadestown will absolutely get a nomination for Best Score. The Prom will also likely get a nomination and may be its strongest competitor, but that is a category I think Hadestown is going to be far in the lead for.

  • Jack - April 9, 2019 reply

    Hi there! I was curious why Reeve Carney is considered a Dark Horse for best actor in a musical? Considering Hadestown is the frontrunner for best musical, I thought he would be almost a guarantee

    Oliver - April 11, 2019 reply

    If Hadestown is going to miss out on a performance nomination, it will be with Reeve. He’s got such tough competition and has never gotten the raves that the other principles have. All that said, I could easily see him being nominated, he just isn’t the leader of the pack.

  • Bella - April 11, 2019 reply

    Why do you think Micaela is a dark horse but teal has no shot at all? Also is Jenna Rollins a big enough roll to be considered a for a featured nominations? (I’m not quite sure of how big the role has to be to be eligible for a nomination) Also why is George Salazar not listed at all?

    Oliver - April 11, 2019 reply

    I think people are talking about Michaela having an amazing debut, but I haven’t heard nearly as much praise for Teal. Jenna is on stage nearly the entire show, but I do agree that her lack of prolonged scenes is something that will disadvantage Tiffany and that is why she is a dark horse. The George Salazar omission was just a mistake on my part. Fixed now!

    Geraldine - April 24, 2019 reply

    I was also wondering the same thing. If anyone should be nominated for feature actress from Be More Chill, it should be Stephanie Hsu.

    Oliver - April 24, 2019 reply

    I thought Hsu could be a dark horse nominee when I saw Be More Chill, so I am adding her back to the list for that reason alone. BUT, here’s the thing: Tiffany was most definitely the most well-reviewed supporting actress in the cast, and I haven’t heard really anything in the press or community about Hsu pulling off a nomination. Featured performance categories, especially in a musical, historically yield some left-field nominations, often from characters who you wouldn’t expect to be nominated. The reviews and that fact combined are why Tiffany is on the list, and why Hsu hasn’t been on it (and I should note that Hsu may come off the list before next week because I really, unfortunately, don’t see that nomination happening).

  • Emily - April 11, 2019 reply

    Hi! Just wanted to say it’s Jenna Rolan, not Jenna Rollins in Be More Chill. Also, you don’t think George Salazar is even in the running for featured?

    Oliver - April 11, 2019 reply

    Thanks for that correction, Emily! That is fixed now, as is George Salazar being in consideration for featured – I didn’t mean to leave him off the list. Thanks for the reminder!

    John - April 23, 2019 reply

    It’s Rolan – one L. Thank you for putting together this awesome page.

    Oliver - April 24, 2019 reply

    Thanks! I can’t seem to get that role’s name spelled right. Fixed now.

  • Stephanie - April 14, 2019 reply

    Hello! I haven’t really seen much Pretty Woman or King Kong on this list. Thoughts on how those shows will do at the Tonys?

    Oliver - April 18, 2019 reply

    I should preface this by saying that I have yet to see either Pretty Woman or King Kong yet, but I also don’t think either will have a strong showing on nomination day. I do think Kong will get some design nominations though.

  • Kim - April 18, 2019 reply

    Jim Parsons was fantastic, as Michael, in, Boys in the Band. I wonder if the Tonys will show any love, for this revival?

    Oliver - April 18, 2019 reply

    They are running a great campaign right now. I do think they can get some nominations.

  • Alex - April 18, 2019 reply

    Can’t wait to hear your thoughts now that Drama Leagues got released!!!

  • Alejandro - April 18, 2019 reply

    Hey! Do you think Head Over Heels will have a chance of being nominated for anything else? Like Choreography or stuff like that? Cuz I know they had amazing choreography!

    Oliver - April 18, 2019 reply

    Absolutely. I think Supporting Actress and Choreography are probably the most likely nominations for Head Over Heels. Light design is also possible.

  • Chris - April 19, 2019 reply

    Hadestown is so good and seems to be getting a lot of buzz. What do you think The odds are that it and the cast walk away with the bulk of the Tony’s it is eligible?

    Oliver - April 20, 2019 reply

    I think it will get a ton of nominations, but I do not think it will walk away with all the awards it is nominated for.

    Chris - April 21, 2019 reply

    Agreed. A lot of good performances this year.

  • Anonymous - April 21, 2019 reply

    What are your thoughts on Beetlejuice as a show? Regardless of the nominations.
    Also a little PS: you’re really cute!

    Oliver - April 21, 2019 reply

    I haven’t seen it yet! I’m looking forward to seeing it soon though.
    And, thanks 😉

    Anonymous - June 27, 2019 reply

    Of course! You single?

  • Jay - April 21, 2019 reply

    To Kill a Mockingbird or the network? Is the network a must see before it goes away?

    Oliver - April 24, 2019 reply

    I love both of those shows, but they are very different. Network is more of a spectacle with a tour-de-force performance from Cranston. Mockingbird is a beautiful production but a far more traditional theatergoing experience. You might want to decide based on price and availability if both seem equally interesting to you.

    Jay - April 24, 2019 reply

    Saw TKAMB recently…was just wondering if the Network was worth it. Got tickets for May. And planning to catch Ink before it ends. Not sure if there’s anything I’m missing as a must see right now…saw Hamilton and have tickets for Moulin Rouge. anything you recommend I must catch?

    Oliver - April 24, 2019 reply

    On the Musical side of things, I would highly recommend THE PROM and HADESTOWN. I also loved BEETLEJUICE (I’m trying to figure out if I’m in the minority there).

    Jay - April 25, 2019

    Beetlejuice just doesn’t appeal to me. But I think I’m looking forward to next year with Virginia Wolfe and Music Man. I wish I got to see Jim Parsons.

    Chris - April 26, 2019

    I have seen most of the new musicals this season and Beetlejuice and Hadestown were my favorites. Hope to see Beetlejuice get a Best Musical nomination.

    Oliver - April 26, 2019

    I loved Beetlejuice as weel!

  • jay - April 22, 2019 reply

    Do you think The Network is worth seeing or should I see To Kill a Mockingbird instead? Thoughts on catching Ink before it leaves broadway?

    Oliver - April 24, 2019 reply

    I love Network but it really depends on how interested you are in the multi-media experience the show brings versus the traditional playgoing experience of Mockingbird. I haven’t seen Ink yet, but I hear it is phenomenal.

  • JK Larkin - April 24, 2019 reply

    Hi Oliver! Love the new updates, but I have a couple of questions.

    1. Why isn’t Julie White on the list for Gary? I would see how she would maybe be a dark horse but reviews came in and seemed to praise her.
    2. Why wouldn’t Ali Stroker and Kerry Butlers featured actress campaigns put them in a more direct position behind Amber?
    3.Is there a strong reason for Reeve Carney’s promotion to on the bubble besides the overall front runner position of Hadestown? I only ask this one because the reviews seemed to place him very out of favor.

    Love your work, love the lists, and can’t wait to see how the season unfolds!

    Also a little PS to the other PS: there is nothing cuter than a man who knows his theater! 😛

    Oliver - April 24, 2019 reply

    Hi JK. Thanks for reading I’m going to go through each comment one-by-one:
    1. You are probably right that Julie White should be on the list for Gary, especially after the Drama League nomination. She’s been added.
    2. I should clarify that the names within each bucket (“Shoo-in,” “On the Bubble,” “Dark Horse”) aren’t in any particular order. I think Ali and Kerry have really good shots at the nomination (Ali in particular), which is why they are both “On The Bubble.” Anyone On the Bubble is a definitive part of the conversation for that category.
    3. That is exactly why Reeve got upgraded to being On the Bubble. Hadestown is sure to get a lot of love from the nomination committee, and while Leading Actor is certainly the performance category they are least likely to get a nomination in, I can easily see him getting one for being part of a well-liked production.

    Thanks for reading and taking part in the conversation!

    JK Larkin - April 25, 2019 reply

    Absolutely, and I’m very curious to see what you have to say about the Outer Critics Circle Nominations!

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    I think the OCC nominations were fairly reasonable. Some big snubs and some unexpected nods but not nearly as many surprises as this morning’s Drama Desk nominations!

  • Barbara - April 24, 2019 reply

    I’m surprised that neither you nor others have Patrick Vail (Jud in Oklahoma!) on the list for featured actor in a musical. The other two were undeniably charming and very funny, but the success of the darker retelling hinged so much on Vaill’s performance, and in my opinion he completely nailed it.

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    To be honest, I don’t know the musical too well (this was the first time I’ve ever seen it), and only now that you are bringing my attention to him am I realizing I left our Jud out. Putting him on now!

  • Bella - April 25, 2019 reply

    I am very disappointed with the prediction turn out for the Cher show. I have seen numerous shows eligible for this seasons awards and that show just doesn’t compare. It is absolutely phenomenal.Why are you not predicting many nominations for it? I really believe Jarrod Spector should be a lock for best featured actor. I also believe Michaela should be higher than a dark horse.

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    Hi Bella, there’s a really easy answer here and it’s that we just disagree in general about The Cher Show. I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as you seem to have. I think you’ve nailed it in suspecting that Spector and Diamond are where Cher stands to gain considerable ground in categories other than Lead Actress and some design categories.

  • Owen - April 25, 2019 reply

    Doesn’t Christopher Sieber also have a large chance of best featured actor.

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    It’s a really tough category, but he does have a shot which is why I’m considering him a dark horse. Featured Actor in a Musical and Lead Actor in a Play are probably the two most hotly contested categories of the year.

  • Jaime - April 25, 2019 reply

    ok so maybe this is because my opinion is easily influenced, but I’m wondering what your thoughts are on The Boys in the Band getting any Tony nominations, seeing as they were ineligible for both OCC and Drama Desks for limited run/ticket availability? Does that affect the minds of Tony nominators, or are they supposed to be objective on that matter?

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    It’s a really interesting question, Jaime. I don’t think the Tony nominators will be too swayed by the fact that they didn’t give tickets to OCC or Drama Desk Nominators. What’s interesting is we have a production from almost a year ago that could really rack up a few awards, but that no other nominating committee has reviewed yet. I’m very anxious to see who picks up nominations on Tuesday. My guess is that Boys in the Band will at least pick up a Featured Actor nominee, if not many more.

  • Alex - April 25, 2019 reply

    It’s all getting so exciting!! Just wondering if you’re going to share your opinions about the surprises from this morning’s nominations? Also just wondering if Andre De Shields has earned a Shoo-In now considering he’s racked up Drama League, OCC, and Drama Desk nods.

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    I thought for a long time about whether Andre should replace Patrick Page for the shoo-in. I really cannot see a scenario where Page isn’t nominated. I think Andre will also get nominated but It’s hard for me to say that both Andre and Page will 100%, absolutely get nominated.

    The big surprise this morning was that there was a palpable lack of love for the new plays on Broadway. To Kill A Mockingbird only got 1 nomination, and Network got none. The representation of Broadway shows in the list of nominees was very lacking.

    Alex - April 25, 2019 reply

    That is true – I think it’s such a strange scenario because of the fact that Page wasn’t eligible for OCC or Drama Desk nominations. It will be interesting to see if one of them doesn’t get the nod at the end of the day.

    And yes ESPECIALLY with the plays, some of the results were extremely shocking. Have you gotten to see Carmen Jones or Rags?

    Oliver - April 25, 2019 reply

    No I didn’t see either production. Seems like I missed out.

    Chris - April 25, 2019 reply

    I am keeping my fingers crossed that Tony nominations redeem this award season. Really concerned about the choices of nominations for OCC and Drama Desk.

  • JK Larkin - April 26, 2019 reply

    Tony Nomination Predictions 2019:

    OCC = Outer Critics Circle Nominee
    DD = Drama Desk Nominee
    DL = Drama League Nominee
    LL = Lucile Lortel Nominee

    Best Musical
    1. Hadestown (OCC, DL)
    2. The Prom (DD, OCC, DL)
    3. Tootsie (DD, OCC, DL)
    4. Be More Chill (LL, DD, OCC, DL)
    5. Head Over Heels (OCC, DL)

    Best Play
    1. The Ferrymen (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. To Kill A Mockingbird (OCC, DL)
    3. What The Constitution Means to Me (DD, OCC, DL)
    4. Ink (OCC)
    5. Network (OCC, DL)

    Best Revival of a Musical
    1. Oklahoma! (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. Kiss Me, Kate (DD, OCC, DL)

    Best Revival of a Play
    1. The Waverley Gallery (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. All My Sons (OCC, DL)
    3. Torch Song (DL)
    4. Burn This (DL)
    5. The Boys In The Band

    Best Actress in a Musical
    1. Stephanie J. Block – The Cher Show (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. Beth Leavel – The Prom (DD, OCC, DL)
    3. Kelli O’Hara – Kiss Me, Kate (OCC, DL)
    4. Rebecca Naomi Jones – Oklahoma! (DD)
    5. Eva Noblezada – Hadestown

    Best Actor in a Musical
    1. Santino Fontana – Tootsie (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. Brooke Ashmanskas – The Prom (DD, OCC, DL)
    3. Damon Daunno – Oklahoma! (DD, OCC)
    4. Reeve Carney – Hadestown (OCC)
    5. Derrick Baskin -Ain’t Too Proud

    Best Featured Actress in a Musical
    1. Amber Gray – Hadestown (OCC, DL)
    2. Ali Stroker – Oklahoma! (DD, OCC, DL)
    3. Sarah Stiles – Tootsie (DD, OCC)
    4. Leslie Kritzer – Beetlejuice (DD, OCC, DL)
    5. Bonnie Milligan -Head Over Heels (OCC, DL)

    Best Featured Actor in a Musical
    1. George Salazar – Be More Chill (DD, OCC)
    2. Andre De Shields – Hadestown (DD, OCC, DL)
    3. Patrick Page – Hadestown
    4. Ephraim Sykes – Ain’t Too Proud (OCC, DL)
    5. Patrick Vaill – Oklahoma! (DD)

    Best Actress in a Play
    1. Elaine May – The Waverley Gallery (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. Heidi Schreck – What The Constitution Means to Me (DD, DL)
    3. Laurie Metcalf – Hillary and Clinton (DD, DL)
    4. Glenda Jackson – King Lear (OCC)
    5. Annette Bening – All My Sons (DL)

    Best Actor in a Play
    1. Bryan Cranston – Network (OCC, DL)
    2. Jeremy Pope – Choir Boy (OCC, DL)
    3. Jeff Daniels – To Kill a Mockingbird (DL)
    4. Tracy Letts – All My Sons (DL)
    5. Nathan Lane – Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

    Best Featured Actress in a Play
    1. Celia Keenan-Bolger – To Kill A Mockingbird (DD, OCC, DL)
    2. Ruth Wilson – King Lear (DD, DL)
    3. Joan Allen – The Waverley Gallery (OCC)
    4. Fionnula Flanagan – The Ferrymen (OCC)
    5. Julie White – Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (DL)

    Best Featured Actor in a Play
    1. Brandon Uranowitz – Burn This (DD)
    2. Bertie Carvel – Ink (OCC)
    3. John Clay III – Choir Boy (OCC)
    4. Benjamin Walker – All My Sons (OCC)
    5. Gideon Glick – To Kill A Mockingbird

    Best Director – Musical
    1. Rachel Chavkin – Hadestown (DD, OCC)
    2. Scott Ellis – Tootsie (DD, OCC)
    3. Daniel Fish – Oklahoma! (DD, OCC)
    4. Casey Nicholaw – The Prom
    5. Scott Ellis – Kiss Me, Kate

    Best Director – Play
    1. Sam Mendes – The Ferrymen (DD, OCC)
    2. Bartlett Sher – To Kill A Mockingbird (OCC)
    3. Rupert Gold – Ink (OCC)
    4. Ivan Van Hove – Network
    5. Jack O’Brien – All My Sons (OCC)

    Best Book
    1. Hadestown (OCC)
    2. Tootsie (DD, OCC)
    3. Ain’t Too Proud (DD)
    4. The Prom (DD)
    5. Head Over Heels (OCC)

    Best Score
    1. Hadestown (OCC)
    2. Tootsie (DD, OCC)
    3. The Prom (DD, OCC)
    4. Be More Chill (DD, OCC)
    5. Choir Boy (DD)

    Best Choreography
    1. David Neumann – Hadestown (DD, OCC)
    2. Denis Jones – Tootsie (DD, OCC)
    3. Warren Carlyle – Kiss Me, Kate (DD, OCC)
    4. Casey Nicholaw – The Prom
    5. Sergio Trujillo – Ain’t Too Proud (OCC)

    Best Scenic Design of a Musical
    1. David Korins – Beetlejuice (DD, OCC)
    2. Rachel Hauck – Hadestown (DD, OCC)
    3. Laura Jellinek – Oklahoma! (DD)
    4. Peter England – King Kong
    5. David Rockwell – Tootsie

    Best Scenic Design of a Play
    1. Jan Versweyveld – Network
    2. Bunny Christie – Ink (OCC)
    3. Rob Howell – The Ferrymen (OCC)
    4. Beowulf Boritt – Bernhardt/Hamlet (OCC)
    5. Miriam Buether – To Kill A Mockingbird

    Best Costume Design of a Musical
    1. William Ivey Long – Beetlejuice (DD, OCC)
    2. William Ivey Long – Tootsie (DD, OCC)
    3. Michael Krass -Hadestown (DD)
    4. Bob Mackie – The Cher Show (DD, OCC)
    5. Arianne Phillips – Head Over Heels (OCC)

    Best Costume Design of a Play
    1. Rob Howell – The Ferrymen (OCC)
    2. Toni-Leslie James – Bernhardt/Hamlet (DD)
    3. Ann Roth – Gary
    4. Ann Roth – To Kill A Mockingbird
    5. David Zinn – Choir Boy

    Best Lighting Design of a Musical
    1. Bradley King – Hadestown (DD, OCC)
    2. Scott Zeilinski – Oklahoma! (DD)
    3. Peter Mumford – King Kong ( OCC)
    4. Kenneth Posner – Beetlejuice
    5. Natasha Katz – The Prom

    Best Lighting Design of a Play
    1. Neil Austin – Ink (OCC)
    2. Jan Verseyveld – Network
    3. Peter Mumford – The Ferrymen
    4. Jennifer Tipton – To Kill A Mockingbird
    5. Peter Kaczorowski – Choir Boy

    Best Sound Design of a Musical
    1. Nevin Steinberg – Hadestown (DD, OCC)
    2. Brain Ronan – Tootsie (DD)
    3. Drew Levy – Oklahoma! (DD, OCC)
    4. Peter Hylenski – King Kong (OCC)
    5. Ryan Rumery – Be More Chill

    Best Sound Design of a Play
    1. Nick Powell – The Ferrymen
    2. Fitz Patton – Choir Boy (DD)
    3. Eric Sleichim – Network (OCC)
    4. John Gromada – All My Sons (OCC)
    5. Scott Lehrer – To Kill A Mockingbird

    Best Orchestrations
    1. Michael Chorney – Hadestown (OCC)
    2. Daniel Kluger – Oklahoma! (DD, OCC)
    3. Charlie Rosen – Be More Chill (DD)
    4. Harold Wheeler – Ain’t Too Proud (OCC)
    5. Larry Hochman – The Prom

    Oliver - April 26, 2019 reply

    These are great! Just note that there are only 7 eligible Best Revival of a Play so we are expecting only 4 nominees.

  • Tucker - April 29, 2019 reply

    Oliver, I think the tightest race is between Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show) and Beth Leavel (The Prom). What’s your take, o wise one. Also, I know you’re a fan of Burn This — me, too — and I thought that David Furr was deserving of a nomination. What say you?

    Oliver - April 29, 2019 reply

    I have to disagree with you there actually. I think the Lead Actress race is more wide open than other races. I think Best Play, Lead Actor in a Play, Featured Actor in a Play, and Best Director of a Musical are among the most contested categories right now, though there are a lot of categories that could become tight races. We’ll find out more tomorrow morning!

    In terms of Best Actress, I think Stephanie and Beth are both getting the nom. Other actresses who could really be competitive for the win, if nominated, are Kelli O’Hara (Kiss Me, Kate) and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown). You are right that neither has as clear a path to victory as Stephanie and Beth do.

    I am a fan of Burn This (I better be, I’m a co-producer of the show), and while I would LOVE for David Furr to get a nomination, I don’t think that is likely. I think Brandon Uranowitz is much more likely to get a nomination of the two. But, who knows! That’s what I love so much about pre-nominations speculation – every one of us has our own opinions of how the season went, and we get to spend weeks debating who we think will make nominating committee’s list and who may not. We’ll know very soon!

  • Arletha - January 21, 2022 reply

    Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog
    platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of
    Wordpress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for
    another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    Oliver - January 22, 2022 reply

    Hi Arletha. This is actually also built on WordPress! Thanks for asking.

Join the conversation