Dans Papers - June 8, 2007 - 2007 Tony Award Predictions

The theater award season is upon us and one of the grand daddy's of New York theater awards, the Tony's, will be presented this Sunday. Spring Awakening, the rock Broadway musical by Duncan Sheik & Steven Sater, was the big winner when the nominations were announced in 25 competitive categories by the American Theatre Wing scoring 11 nominations, with the musical Grey Gardens right behind with 10. In the Dramatic category Tom Stoppard's epic tale, The Coast of Utopia, stunningly produced by Lincoln Center, is in a league of its own with 10 nominations.

A little less than two weeks ago the Drama Desk handed out their annual awards and while they recognize achievement both on and off Broadway, they are a barometer for the Tony Awards that recognize achievement on Broadway only.

Let's get right to our selections in the major categories as space is limited.

Best performance by a featured actress in a play: Martha Plimpton, The Coast of Utopia took home the Drama Desk. Look for her to repeat gaining momentum from her recent win.

Best performance by a featured actor in a play: A difficult category. Boyd Gaines, Journey's End won here at the Drama Desk, but is nominated as leading actor for the Tony. Gordin likes Anthony Chisholm, Radio Golf thinking he will score for his catalytic performance in August Wilson's final drama, but Christiano believes Billy Crudup's showy turn in The Coast of Utopia, will be carried along by Coast's numerous wins.

Best performance by a leading actress in a play: Christiano thinks Eve Best will repeat her victory from the Drama Desk for her complex performance in A Moon for the Misbegotten, but Gordin is looking for the legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave, The Year of Magical Thinking to edge out another legend Angela Lansbury, Duece making a return to Broadway after a 25 year absence.

Best performance by a leading actor in a play: Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon for his sterling work, if he doesn't shoot himself in the foot. He has already picked up just about every major award. Close behind is Liev Schreiber, Talk Radio, who was excellent as well, but won in the featured category last year. We don't expect Boyd Gaines to defeat these two, although he was marvelous. Best direction of a play: Jack O'Brien, The Coast of Utopia for his stunning achievement, but David Grindley, Journey's End did harrowing work and the cast, under his guidance turned in the best ensemble performance of the entire season. Bravo guys!

Best Play: Tom Stoppard's epic The Coast of Utopia will beat out the worthy competition. We loved them all, but Coast's mammoth three-part production is a major accomplishment.

Best performance by a featured actress in a musical: Mary Louise Wilson, Grey Gardens is most deserving and should win.

Best performance by a featured actor in a musical: Gordin loves John Gallagher, Jr., Spring Awakening, but Christiano thought his performance was all external and likes Christian Borle, Legally Blonde for his winning charm.

Best performance by a leading actress in a musical: Christine Ebersole, Grey Gardens for her truly unforgettable once in a lifetime performance that she originated off Broadway and which she will be taking to London next season.

Best performance by a leading actor in a musical: Gordin likes Raul Esparza, Company, who is popular and took the Drama Desk. Christiano thinks David Hyde Pierce, Curtains is more deserving for his totally realized work.

Best direction of a musical: Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening... original indeed!

Best musical: Spring Awakening, the ground breaking new rock musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater is our pick, but we also adored Grey Gardens about two East Hampton recluses related to Jackie O. Both musicals transferred to Broadway from other venues. Spring Awakening took the Drama Desk this year, but did not compete head to head with Grey Gardens, which was nominated last season for it's off Broadway debut.

Best revival of a musical: We liked 110 in the Shade best, but with the exception of The Apple Tree any one of the four could make it to the winner's circle. They were all good, but we had reservations with each.

Best revival of a play: Journey's End was a devastating tribute to men of war, but couldn't find an audience.

The Tony Awards marking 61 years of excellence will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on CBS, June 10, from 8-11 p.m. Tune in and see how your predictions compare with ours. A limited number of tickets may be purchased online through www.TonyAwards.com or by calling (212) 3074544 if you would like to attend.

Barry Gordin and Patick Christiano are theatre critics. Barry Gordin is an internationally renowned photographer. They can be reached a bg6@verizon.net.