Tony Awards - Zach's Picks

The Tony Awards are closing in fast, so it's time to gear up our second annual guessing contest.

Last year, my pal Denise walked away with bragging rights (scoring 17 right out of 26) - so the award became The Denise LaCara Tony Award Good Guessing Award 2008! Can she repeat? Will someone else steal the crown and rename the title? It's up to you, theatre fans!

You can find the list of nominations right here. You can send your choices in as a comment - just click on the link at the bottom of this entry - or you can email them to me at TheMinskers@aol.com.

To kick things off, here are my pal Zach's choices:

BEST PLAY: God of Carnage (don’t know much but seems be well liked in awards)

BEST MUSICAL: Billy Elliot The Musical (what I have seen look awesome but we all know I am pulling for Shrek The Musical. Next to Normal stands strong as well.)

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL: Shrek the Musical (hey, I stand by my show, but second pick is Next to Normal)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (MUSIC AND/OR LYRICS) WRITTEN FOR THE THEATRE: 9 to 5: The Musical (Dolly has a chance, but I'd rather see Shrek The Musical win.)

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY: The Norman Conquests (I don’t know much about non-musicals. Oh well.)

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL: Hair (to me this is the hardest category this year. All are good choices.)

BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT: You're Welcome America - A Final Night With George W. Bush. (Liza stands strong - I mean, come on, look who it is - but Will Ferrell has a great fighting chance)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY: Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Hope Davis, God of Carnage. (I must confess I chose her just due to her last name.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek The Musical (I thought he was true to the character and marvelous, however the Elliot boys will more than likely take it. Kids in a huge show - of course they will win.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical (She was flawless and she always delivers.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY: Zach Grenier, 33 Variations (again just for his name.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit (She is an Icon. She deserves this.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical (A show stealing guy! He was fantastic and he does the whole show on his knees! He worked too hard not to win!)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal.

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY: Rob Howell, The Norman Conquests.

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical (I was shocked to see Shrek wasn’t om this list. The set was OUTSTANDING.)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY: Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical (These were simply the best costumes ever. They were Lion King good! Pinnochio’s nose grew on stage! Simply Genius!)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY: Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart.

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Kevin Adams, Hair; Kevin Adams, Next to Normal (Either way - he was nominated twice in one category, he deserves the award!)

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY: Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King.

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL: Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical.

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY: Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage.

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL: Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical.

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical. (He took kids to an all new level! Hands down, another no contest!)

BEST ORCHESTRATIONS: Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical. (Why not.)

It is going to be very interesting to see the winners announced! Billy Elliot I feel will win the most and I would like to see Shrek win at least four! I find it interesting that Next to Normal and Rock of Ages came in as silent contenders. I am shocked that 9 to 5 didn’t receive more nominations than it did! I am stoked to see what performances get slated into the mix of this fun filled night!