It's Tony Awards Time!

As has been the case since the inception of this Blog, The Grandstander today turns this space over to it's legendary Broadway Correspondent, Bill "Big Poppy" Montrose.  Bill is a longtime family friend, son of Landview Street, and proud alum of St. Philomena Grade School, Central Catholic High School, and La Salle College (now University), and an expert on all things Broadway.

So without further ado, take it away, Bill.....

IT'S PREDICTION TIME!  The TONY Awards.   For the sixth consecutive year, this fearless prognosticator - to quote the Grandstander, "watch but don't bet" - makes his picks of the Broadway Awards for 2015.  Last year, I came in with a stunning 11 correct picks out of 12 categories.  This year, hoping that the handicapping gods don't get even, I'm picking 10 categories.  Here goes:

BEST ...

Musical ....................... An American in Paris

Play ............................. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Musical Revival ..........  The King and I

Play Revival ................ Skylight

Actor in a Musical ....... Michael Cerveris (Fun Home)

Actress in a Musical ...  Kristin Chenoweth (On the 20th Century) *

Featured Actor in a Musical ... Christian Borle  (Something Rotten!)

Featured Actress in a Musical ... Judy Kuhn (Fun Home)

Director of a Play ....... Marianne Elliott (Curious Incident of the Dog ...)

Director of a Musical ...  Christopher Wheeldon (American in Paris)

* Actress in a  Musical (award) is my favorite category.  This year, it looks like Chenoweth's competition is (TONY's answer to Susan Lucci,) the fantastic  Kelli O'Hara for "The King and I" .  Choosing Kelli last year was my only miss. This year is her 6th nomination, still looking for the prize.  Deep down, I hope she wins it.

The TONY Award Show is on CBS this Sunday night.  As George M. Cohan (statued below) so famously wrote, "Give my Regards ...."

Yes,  readers, that is the legendary Bill Montrose himself, in the shadow of George M. Cohan (who didn't at all look like James Cagney).

We will be checking in come Monday morning to see how Bill fared in his prognostications.