June 7 is Super Bowl Sunday for show queens and theater geeks everywhere, with the broadcast of the 63rd annual Tony Awards from Radio City Music Hall (starting at 8 p.m. EST on CBS). But who will the big winners be? EW’s theater guru Melissa Rose Bernardo offers her sage Tony predictions on every single category. Much of her prognistication follows the conventional wisdom: For instance, expect a near sweep for Billy Elliot (pictured) in the musical categories, including a win for the three boys sharing the title role (sorry, Constantine Maroulis). She also expects Liza Minnelli’s concert-show Liza’s at the Palace to edge out Will Ferrell’s You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush in the Special Theatrical Event category. Other A-listers should get more than their share of hardware: Geoffrey Rush is definitely the front-runner for Best Actor in a Drama, ahead of God of Carnage‘s James Gandolfini and Jeff Daniels, among others. And Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden (God of Carnage) has the edge over Oscar winner Jane Fonda (33 Variations) and Oscar nominee Janet McTeer (Mary Stuart) for Best Actress in a Drama. My prediction: Neil Patrick Harris, the ever-versatile Broadway and Dr. Horrible alum, will knock ‘em dead in at least one musical number — take that, Hugh Jackman! What do you think, PopWatchers? What will be the biggest surprises and upsets of the Tonys?
Next to Normal would be a surpise to win for best new musical. However, my vote is for Billy Elliot.
After having Billy Elliott practically shoved down my throat as being this great show and after seeing this show, I certainly don’t agree with the raves. My vote would go for Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages has remarkable actors and actresses who portray the ’80′s to a tee! I would love to see both the show and the lead actor take the award.
It seems to be the year of the ‘Dark Horse’ and I’ve never had more fun in the theater (along with everyone around me) than I did at the Brooks Atkinson when I saw Rock of Ages. The book was extremely clever, the ‘hero’ (Constantine Maroulis- nom for Best Actor) was totally engaging and the entire cast was outstanding.
I’m hoping for an ‘upset!’
I think that there’s definitely going to be a Billy sweep, but the question is in what categories. I think the only ones they have absolutely positively locked are Best Musical and Best Choreography, and the rest of the major categories do have some major competition for Billy. It will still sweep, but there is the potential for a couple of surprises in the other categories.
It seems to be the year of the ‘Dark Horse’ and I’ve never had more fun in the theater (along with everyone around me) than I did at the Brooks Atkinson when I saw Rock of Ages. The book was extremely clever, the ‘hero’ (Constantine Maroulis- nom for Best Actor) was totally engaging and the entire cast was outstanding.
I’m hoping for an ‘upset!’
Karen Olivo for best featured actress!