Broadway’s best will gather once more to celebrate the accomplishments in the theater world. Before the night’s festivities crown the best of the Great White Way, we’re breaking down all of the nominees and potential winners. See our 2018 Tony Awards predictions below. Nominees are listed for each category, with the predicted winner in bold.
BEST PLAY
The Children
Farinelli and the King
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Junk
Latin History for Morons
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was a bona fide smash when it debuted across the pond. So naturally, the continuation of the popular Harry Potter saga was equally successful in its American production. Cursed Child has quickly become one of the highest-grossing new productions this season, and just goes to show that the magic is yet to run out when it comes to the Harry Potter franchise.
BEST MUSICAL
The Band’s Visit
Mean Girls
Frozen
SpongeBob SquarePants
While both Mean Girls and SpongeBob SquarePants lead the pack with 12 nominations each, they’ll likely be shut out of the top category to make way for The Band’s Visit. The David Cromer-directed production is poised to take home its fair share of Tonys for telling a poignant tale of cultures clashing in what’s perhaps the most mature new show of this theater season. Compared to its youth-oriented field of nominees, The Band’s Visit packs the biggest punch all-around for Best Musical.
BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
My Fair Lady
Once On This Island
Carousel
It requires a strong cast to carry a Broadway revival to success (looking at you, Bette Midler and Hello! Dolly). Carousel’s likeable cast are able to get the job done flawlessly. The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic breathes new life and is bolstered by strong performances all around to match the story and music that made this one of the best musicals of the 20th century.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Adrian Sutton, Angels in America
David Yazbek, The Band’s Visit
Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin, Mean Girls
Various, SpongeBob SquarePants
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Frozen
A win for SpongeBob SquarePants would give music megastars like Panic! At the Disco, Lady Antebellum, John Legend, and Steven Tyler a Tony, all of whom contributed original songs for the production. However, they’d be hard-pressed to edge out David Yazbek’s captivating score from The Band’s Visit, which earned a Drama Desk Award for the Off-Broadway production. EGOT winner Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q) should not be underestimated as the brains behind Frozen‘s soundtrack alongside wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez.
BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Jennifer Lee, Frozen
Tina Fey, Mean Girls
Itamar Moses, The Band’s Visit
Kyle Jarrow, SpongeBob SquarePants
Tina Fey’s genius as a writer has long been recognized thanks to Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, and of course, Mean Girls. She has multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globes to her name, but can soon add a Tony to her growing list of accolades. Fey created one of the most hilariously memorable films of the 21st century, so it comes as no surprise that her writing talent would translate when creating the musical’s book.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Harry Hadden-Paton, My Fair Lady
Joshua Henry, Carousel
Tony Shalhoub, The Band’s Visit
Ethan Slater, SpongeBob SquarePants
It’s hard to imagine the effervescent SpongeBob SquarePants on stage and in human form. But Ethan Slater effortlessly embodies the youthful spirit of the titular undersea character, leading him to be a frontrunner for the Best Actor prize. Tony Shalhoub’s portrayal of Egyptian band leader Tewfiq in The Band’s Visit earned equal praise from critics and could give Slater a run for his money.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Lauren Ambrose, My Fair Lady
Hailey Kilgore, Once On This Island
LaChanze, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
Katrina Lenk, The Band’s Visit
Taylor Louderman, Mean Girls
Jessie Mueller, Carousel
The six leading ladies recognized for Best Actress each shine in their respective roles, but Katrina Lenk has the Tony in the bang for her portrayal of the charasmatic Dina in The Band’s Visit. It will likely be close call between Lenk and Lauren Ambrose for her take on Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, but in the end, chalk it up to the heartfelt performances given by The Band’s Visit diverse cast.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE
Norbert Leo Butz, My Fair Lady
Alexander Gemignani, Carousel
Grey Hensen, Mean Girls
Gavin Lee, SpongeBob SquarePants
Ari’el Stachel, The Band’s Visit
Continuing the wave of high expectations riding on The Band’s Visit, Ari’el Stachel is the frontrunner to take home the top acting prize. Lovable Broadway vets Gavin Lee and Norbert Leo Butz shouldn’t be immediately blitzed from contention, but Stachel’s honest performance as Haled makes him a force to be reckoned with.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE
Ariana DuBose, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
Renee Fleming, Carousel
Lindsay Mendez, Carousel
Ashley Park, Mean Girls
Diana Rigg, My Fair Lady
Lindsay Mendez has been this Broadway season’s tour de force as Carousel‘s Carrie Pepperidge. Despite going up against veteran favorites Renee Fleming and Diana Rigg, expect Mendez to pick up her first-ever Tony for her stellar performance.
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Christopher Gattelli, My Fair Lady
Christopher Gattelli, SpongeBob Squarepants
Steven Hoggett, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Casey Nicholaw, Mean Girls
Justin Peck, Carousel
With the music and story already well-known, the latest revival of Carousel relied on casting and production to wow audiences once more. Choreographer Justin Peck utilizes his ballet roots to create elaborate numbers that captivate show-goers from start to finish.
In addition to all the competitive categories, special Tonys will be awarded to Bruce Springsteen and John Liguizamo for their respective cultural phenomenons Springsteen on Broadway and Latin History for Morons. Legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, CATS) and actress Chita Rivera will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The 2018 Tony Awards air Sunday, June 10 on CBS. Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles will serve as hosts.