Tony Predictions for Jersey Boys & Young
March 30th, 2006Los Angeles Times blogger Tom O’Neil says this year the Tony Awards will be a real drama. There isn’t one mega-hit musical or play likely to sweep the kudos like The Producers or Doubt. Indeed, at this point, there doesn’t even seem to be a single show clearly ahead in either of those races, but it’s still early. Many shows haven’t officially opened yet. Some haven’t even begun preview performances, but we know that they’re lead contenders based upon their earlier success on stages across the country.
Although it’s early in the Tony race, O’Neil says yesterday’s brave announcement that Jersey Boys will launch a national tour in December, starting in San Francisco is big news. Usually, Tony voters don’t take jukebox musicals seriously, but they absolutely insist that the winner of best musical have major touring promise. That’s because a huge percentage of the 735 voters work on touring productions or else are employed on the business side of theater. O’Neil says very few creative folk pick Tony winners. These aren’t the Oscars where the largest voting bloc is comprised of actors.
O’Neil also gives readers his lists of who’s out in front in the Tony races. For Best Musical, he thinks the frontrunners are Jersey Boys, The Color Purple, Tarzan, and The Drowsy Chaperone, with a few other possibilities in the mix. For Best Actor in a Musical, John Lloyd Young is listed among six possible contenders.
O’Neil didn’t provide predictions for the Best Featured Actor or Best Book categories. Could Jersey Boys sweep the Tonys? Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, and J. Robert Spencer could be major contenders in this category. How about a nomination for Best Book for Brickman and Elice?
What are your thoughts on this year’s Tonys?
Don’t forget Des McAnuff for Best Director….he’s won this Award twice before and Jersey Boys is probably his best directorial work to date.
Comment by Carl — March 30, 2006 @ 10:00 am
JERSEY BOYS & JOHN LLOYD YOUNG SHOULD GET THE TONY AWARD. OF COURSE BRINKMAN & ELICE FOR BEST BOOK.BEST FEATURED ACTOR COULD GO TO ANY OF THE JERSEY BOYS.
Comment by Thea — March 30, 2006 @ 9:45 pm