Steve Kazee & Cristin Milioti in "Once". Photo by Joan Marcus.

Get out your crystal ball and start laying odds, the Tony Awards are this Sunday night and, for once (and for Once) it’s a real nail-biter in many categories.  Which is my way of saying…don’t blame me if my predictions are off. Nevertheless, I’m diving into the fray for the first time and giving my picks for the winner (in violet) and possible spoiler (in red) in each of the marquee categories; the tech awards are just as important but I leave those to more knowledgeable experts.

And, of course, check back in here on Monday morning for a wrap up of all the Tony surprises, snubs and snafus. Let the game’s begin…

Best Play

Clybourne Park 

Other Desert Cities 

Peter and the Starcatcher 

Venus in Fur

[One of the toughest categories of the night with all four shows having legitimate claims to the prize. The snub for Mantello's direction of Desert Cities slightly tips this in favor of Pulitzer-winner Clybourne.]

Best Musical

Leap of Faith

Newsies 

Nice Work If You Can Get It 

Once 

[It's a two show race though between the low key, artsy show and the Disney crowd-pleaser. I may be being swayed by my love for the music in Once on this one but a tour announcement and growing box office for the show tells me this is the little musical that could. But, again, this one is razor thin...]

Read more…