Showbuzzness: The Play’s the Thing

I have a confession to make. Last week, I promised that this week I’d write about the Tony nominations in the play categories. And I’m going to. But here’s the thing: (deep breath) I haven’t seen any of the nominated plays. (Whaaaaat? Fire this girl immediately!)

I have nothing against plays, it’s just that… I’m a music person. And I have very limited expendable income. So when I do get tickets to see something, it’s very likely gonna be a musical. But I’m a good little worker bee, and I did my homework, so after the break I will provide you with a little bit of insight on the nominees, strictly based on general internet buzz. If I’m way off the mark - I humbly apologize. Please feel free to email me and we’ll work it out.

Before we get into the individual categories, I should mention that the biggest snub went to the Debbie Allen-directed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which didn’t score a single nomination (!) despite all of its big name stars (James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard) Ouch.

Scenes from August: Osage County. Photos by Joan Marcus.

Best Play
August: Osage County
Rock ‘n’ Roll
The Seafarer
The 39 Steps
Well… August: Osage County has the most nominations of any play this year and was pretty much universally acclaimed. I don’t know if that makes it a shoo-in for the win… but it probably does.

Best Revival of a Play
Boeing-Boeing
The Homecoming
Les Liaisons Dangereueses
Macbeth
This one certainly isn’t a lock, though the win seems to be pointing in the direction of the comedy Boeing-Boeing, which has received generally great reviews and has now played more performances on Broadway than the original!

Best Performance By a Leading Actor in a Play
Ben Daniels, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing
Rufus Sewell, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Patrick Stewart, Macbeth
Looks like the big brouhaha in this category is over the omission of Kevin Kline for his acclaimed performance of the title character in Cyrano de Bergerac. But the win looks like it just may go to Patrick Stewart, who’s long overdue.

Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Play
Eve Best, The Homecoming
Deanna Dunagan, August: Osage County
Kate Fleetwood, Macbeth
S. Epatha Merkerson, Come Back, Little Sheba
Amy Morton, August: Osage County
The vote seems to be split on this one between the two actresses in August. Deanna Dunagan won the Drama Desk award, so in all fairness, the Tony should go to Amy Morton. And we all know how completely fair awards shows are, right?

Best Performance By a Featured Actor in a Play
Bobby Cannavale, Mauritius
Raúl Esparza, The Homecoming
Conleth Hill, The Seafarer
Jim Norton, The Seafarer
David Pittu, Is He Dead?
All I have to say about this is that Raúl Esparza has BETTER win after he was so painfully robbed last year after his brilliant performance in Company. Give the man his dues already!

Best Performance By a Featured Actress in a Play
Sinead Cusack, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Mary McCormack, Boeing-Boeing
Laurie Metcalf, November
Martha Plimpton, Top Girls
Rondi Reed, August: Osage County
Besides the Kevin Kline snub, the other big omission is this category: Elizabeth Marvel for her “near-Shakespearean” performance in Top Girls. Seems like there are number of people shaking their heads in disbelief over this one…

Scenes from Boeing-Boeing. Photos by Joan Marcus.

The other equally important but not as discussed nominees:

Best Direction of a Play
Maria Aitken, The 39 Steps
Conor McPherson, The Seafarer
Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County
Matthew Warchus, Boeing-Boeing

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Peter McKintosh, The 39 Steps
Scott Pask, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Todd Rosenthal, August: Osage County
Anthony Ward, Macbeth

Best Costume Design of a Play
Gregory Gale, Cyrano de Bergerac
Rob Howell, Boeing-Boeing
Katrina Lindsay, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Peter McKintosh, The 39 Steps

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
Howard Harrison, Macbeth
Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Ann G. Wrightson, August: Osage County

Best Sound Design of a Play
Simon Baker, Boeing-Boeing
Adam Cork, Macbeth
Ian Dickson, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Mic Pool, The 39 Steps

The Tony Awards will be presented live from Radio City Music Hall, June 15th on CBS.

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