Who will take home the Tony for Best Actress and Best Featured Actress in a musical? Let's take a look at my predictions.
The Nominees for Best Actress in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block gives a knockout performance as the warrior goddess "Star" Cher in The Cher Show, one of the better jukebox musicals to grace the Broadway stage. Block has shown herself repeatedly to be an absolutely first-rate performer. But no Tony this time. Keep reading.
Eva Noblezada is terrific as Euridice in Hadestown, but this splendid show is very much an ensemble work that makes it wonderful to watch but difficult for any one performer to stand out above the rest. No Tony. Keep reading.
Kelli O'Hara has never sounded better, and her performance in Kiss Me, Kate! is the best she's done since South Pacific. And that's saying a lot! Yet no Tony this time. Read on.
Caitlin Kinnunen may be young, but The Prom is her third Broadway show, and she is marvelous as the high school senior who is at the center of the storm when she wants to take her girlfriend to the prom. Great performance, but no Tony. Keep reading.
Beth Leavel gives a fittingly over-the-top performance as an ego-maniacal Broadway diva trying to reboot her floundering career in The Prom. This is the performance that I predict will win for her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
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The Nominees for Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Lilli Cooper as "Dorothy"'s co-star in the show-within-a-show is the best singer in Tootsie, but there are so many excellent performances in this that she does not stand out enough above the others to win the Tony this time out. Keep on reading.
Amber Gray is captivating as Persephone in Hadestown, so much so that I could be wrong about this. But I do think the Tony has someone else's name on it this time around. Read on.
Sarah Stiles in hilariously funny as Michael Dorsey's ex-girlfriend and now his and co-dependent friend in Tootsie. But she really only has one number (which she sings several times to great comic effect.) Still, there is not enough for her to do in order to win the Tony. Keep reading.
Mary Testa is glorious as ever in Oklahoma!, playing the key role of Aunt Eller. Yet there is not enough opportunity for her to shine sufficiently to grab the Tony. Keep reading.
And the envelope, please! I predict the winner of the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical will be Ali Stroker, who absolutely lights up the stage every moment she appears as Ado Annie in Oklahoma!
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