As the 2024 Tonys creep up, this Broadway season is missing that one classic, holy grail musical to get super hyped about winning best musical. But don’t just fixate on that top prize. Some of the lower-profile shows could actually be the ones sticking around as theater legends years from now.
Take “Stereophonic” for instance – David Adjmi’s super realistic look at the roller coaster ride of a Fleetwood Mac-esque band fighting in the recording studio. With an insane 13 nods, it’s already the most nominated play in Tonys history thanks to songs by Will Butler from Arcade Fire. Then there’s the “Merrily We Roll Along” revival, a flawlessly re-worked version of the Sondheim/Furth flop from 1981 that cleverly tells its story in reverse about a bright-eyed composer gone Hollywood sellout. The rave reviews and box office numbers make this “Merrily” the front-runner for best revival of a musical.
So which other shows are gonna take home Tonys? Who’s performing? And will this year’s scripted show feel disjointed compared to last year’s gloriously messy vibe? (Probably!)
Here’s the scoop on the 77th Annual Tony Awards:
The Basics
When and where? After trying out the United Palace in Washington Heights last year, this year the ceremony is heading to Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on Sunday night – the usual home of the NYC Ballet.
How to watch?
The pre-show “Act One” kicks off at 6:30pm ET on the free Pluto TV streaming service. Then the main event airs 8-11pm on CBS and Paramount+ (non-subscribers can get a 7-day free trial).
Who’s hosting?
Ariana DeBose is back for the third straight year after hilariously holding down last year’s unscripted show. She’ll have a co-host for “Act One” – Utkarsh Ambudkar from “Ghosts” is joining returning co-host Julianne Hough.
The Nominees
A rotating committee of around 50 theater pros nominate shows, while over 800 industry voters pick the winners. “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic” led with 13 nods each, followed closely by “The Outsiders” with 12. Other top nominees include “Cabaret” (9), “Appropriate” (8), “Merrily” (7) and “Water for Elephants” (7).
Prediction Time
With those crazy 13 noms, “Stereophonic” looks unstoppable for best play. And “Merrily” should win best musical revival over the divisive “Cabaret.” For revivals of plays, my money’s on the searing family drama “Appropriate” over the farcical “Purlie Victorious.”
Best musical is a total toss-up. I’m taking a stab and predicting Shaina Taub’s “Suffs” about the women’s suffrage movement. It hit all the right categories and has that sweet topical relevance going for it in an election year. Plus Hillary and Malala are producers!
As for the actors, I’m betting on Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez from “Merrily,” Maleah Joi Moon from “Hell’s Kitchen,” Sarah Paulson in “Appropriate,” and Jeremy Strong from the play “An Enemy of the People.”
And yes, in a wild twist, I actually think the play “Stereophonic” wins best score over all the musicals!
We’ll see showstopping numbers from “Hell’s Kitchen,” “The Outsiders,” “Suffs,” “Illinoise,” “Water for Elephants,” “Tommy,” “Cabaret,” “Merrily” and now “Stereophonic” too after that drama.
Get ready for an always entertaining, probably messy, but never boring Tonys night!
