Tony Awards 2017: The Design Awards
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Who I Want to Win: Nigel Hook (The Play That Goes Wrong)
Who Will Win: Michael Yeargan (Oslo)
The Play That Goes Wrong has a beautiful and functional set, but three time winner Michael Yeargan (who created the amazing set for last year's The King and I revival) deserves the award for Oslo.
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Who I Want to Win: Mimi Lien (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
Who Will Win: Mimi Lien (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
Hands down this goes to Mimi Lien, who took the immersive setting of Natasha from Off-Broadway and completely transformed the Imperial Theater into the Russian masterpiece.
Best Costume Design of a Play
Who I Want to Win: David Zinn (A Doll's House, Part 2)
Who Will Win: Jane Greenwood (The Little Foxes)
Both of these plays have amazing period piece costumes, but Jane Greenwood created a lot of beautiful looks for The Little Foxes. The dresses are fantastic.
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Who I Want to Win: Paloma Young (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
Who Will Win: Paloma Young (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
The costumes in Natasha are not exactly punk and not exactly period, and that is what makes them interesting. Paloma helped this musical establish it's own world.
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Who I Want to Win: Christopher Akerlind (Indecent)
Who Will Win: Christopher Akerlind (Indecent)
The lighting in Indecent really adds to the drama and intensity of this piece, a Tony Award is most deserved.
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Who I Want to Win: Japhy Weideman (Dear Evan Hansen)
Who Will Win: Bradley King (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
The lighting design for Dear Evan Hansen adds to the minimal setting and fantastic projection work, but I think the award will go to Bradley King for Natasha, especially after his incredible work on Hadestown earlier this year.
Best Choreography
Who I Want to Win: Andy Blankenbuehler (Bandstand)/Denis Jones (Holiday Inn)
Who Will Win: Sam Pinkleton (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
Bandstand and Holiday Inn really deserve recognition for their classic swing and Broadway choreography, and I hope they get the chance to perform on the Tony's. However, Sam Pinkleton maneuvered a large cast around this unusual setting. Along with his work in in 2013-14 Machinal and this seasons Ameile, his attention to detail and unique staging should get him the Tony.
Best Orchestrations
Who I Want to Win: Alex Lacamoire (Dear Evan Hansen)/ Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen (Bandstand)
Who Will Win: Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812)
Bandstand had an incredible big band feel, and Alex Lacamoire is already a two time winner for Hamilton and In the Heights. However, the award should go to Dave Malloy, a triple threat this year for Natasha.
Running Total:
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 - 6
Hello, Dolly! - 3
Oslo - 3
The Little Foxes - 3
Dear Evan Hansen - 2
Come From Away - 2
Indecent - 2
Sweat - 1
The Price - 1
A Doll's House, Part 2 - 1
Tune in to the Tony Awards on CBS this Sunday, June 11th at 8/7c to see all the winners!
