This morning, Tony-winner Leslie Odom, Jr. and Waitress star Katharine McPhee, announced the 2018 Tony Award nominees.
Mean Girls and Spongebob Squarepants Broadway lead with the most nominations.
The 72nd Annual Tony Awards will be broadcast live on June 10th at 8/7c on CBS. To see the complete list of nominees, visit Broadway Direct.
Read on for thoughts on some of the nominees from SoundBeacon Entertainment's executive producer, Glenna Bowman, and Broadway alum, Tommy Martinez (Newsies, Broadway; Hairspray Live! NBC; Kinky Boots, 1st National Tour).
Best Musical
The Band’s Visit
Frozen
Mean Girls
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
These four shows are SO different. Mean Girls is very smart and funny and, with Tina Fey at the helm, is a good bet to win. Then, again, SpongeBob, is a surprising competitor in this category, so maybe all bets are off. Even with the big budget Disney offering, Frozen, Glenna and Tommy are rooting for The Band's Visit to win. The show is unlike most other musicals currently running on Broadway. It is funny, poignant, and beautifully told.
Best Play
The Children
Farinelli and The King
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Junk
Latin History for Morons
Glenna and Tommy don't see a lot of plays, but Tommy saw Harry Potter in April and was blown away, saying it is "something special that hasn't been seen on Broadway." It will be interesting to see if the other shows in this category can rise above this behemoth 5-hour, two-part production.
Best Revival of a Musical
My Fair Lady
Once On This Island
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Sadly, neither Glenna, nor Tommy, has seen My Fair Lady, but they have heard great things about the show. Once On This Island is also a strong contender. Glenna and Tommy are both fans of Carousel in the featured actor and actress categories (see below), but, perhaps, not for the overall musical. Carousel is a beautiful, visual show, with outstanding dancers. but the story may be a little outdated for today's audiences, even as it offers loads of nostalgia for fans of the original production (1945) or past revivals (1954 and 1957).
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Angels in America
Music: Adrian Sutton
The Band’s Visit
Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek
Frozen
Music & Lyrics: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Mean Girls
Music: Jeff Richmond
Lyrics: Nell Benjamin
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
Music & Lyrics: Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., Domani & Lil’C
No guesses for the winner in this category. They are all very different, and Sponge Bob brings a whole new dynamic to this category with the many hit writers contributing music to the show.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Harry Hadden-Paton, My Fair Lady
Joshua Henry, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Tony Shalhoub, The Band’s Visit
Ethan Slater, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
No guesses here, either. These shows are so different and all the performers gifted in their own amazing way.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Lauren Ambrose, My Fair Lady
Hailey Kilgore, Once On This Island
LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
Katrina Lenk, The Band’s Visit
Taylor Louderman, Mean Girls
Jessie Mueller, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Any of these talented women could win this category. Glenna and Tommy are pulling for Katrina Lenk. She is a powerful presence on the stage, both witty and charming. Then, again, Lauren Ambrose is one to watch for - all the buzz is that she is spectacular as Liza Doolittle.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Anthony Boyle, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Michael Cera, Lobby Hero
Brian Tyree Henry, Lobby Hero
Nathan Lane, Angels in America
David Morse, Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh
No bets on this category, but Anthony Boyle is deserving for his role in Harry Potter.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Susan Brown, Angels in America
Noma Dumezweni, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Deborah Findlay, The Children
Denise Gough, Angels in America
Laurie Metcalf, Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women
Noma Dumezweni is deserving, but might be hard-pressed to beat out Laurie Metcalf or the other talented women in this category.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, My Fair Lady
Alexander Gemignani, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Grey Henson, Mean Girls
Gavin Lee, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
Ari’el Stachel, The Band’s Visit
These roles are all so different - all good - but Glenna and Tommy are hoping the win goes to Alexander Gemignani who is a fantastic singer and very funny. He and Lindsay Mendez own the stage in Carousel.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Ariana DeBose, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
Renée Fleming, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Lindsay Mendez, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Ashley Park, Mean Girls
Diana Rigg, My Fair Lady
Lindsay Mendez is Glenna and Tommy's pick. Just like her featured partner, Alexander Gemignani, Lindsay is very funny and an amazing singer.
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Miriam Buether, Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women
Jonathan Fensom, Farinelli and The King
Christine Jones, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Santo Loquasto, Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh
Ian MacNeil and Edward Pierce, Angels in America
Tommy says, "I just don't know if anyone can compete with Harry Potter in this category. The show is visually stunning."
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Dane Laffrey, Once On This Island
Scott Pask, The Band’s Visit
Scott Pask, Finn Ross & Adam Young, Mean Girls
Michael Yeargan, My Fair Lady
David Zinn, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
It's hard to say. Again, the shows are all very different. Mean Girls is all projection. The Band's Visit is well done, but probably can't compete with Sponge Bob or My Fair Lady.
Best Costume Design of a Play
Jonathan Fensom, Farinelli and The King
Nicky Gillibrand, Angels in America
Katrina Lindsay, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Ann Roth, Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women
Ann Roth, Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh
Tommy thinks the winner could be Harry Potter. "They have some pretty amazing costumes."
Best Choreography
Christopher Gattelli, My Fair Lady
Christopher Gattelli, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
Steven Hoggett, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Casey Nicholaw, Mean Girls
Justin Peck, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
The choreography in Carousel is one of its best features, so it is a good bet to win. But Harry Potter also has some outstanding choreography.
If you have thoughts on the nominees or your own picks to win, leave a comment below. We would love to hear your opinions.