Tony Awards Time

Once a year, The Grandstander turns his bully pulpit over to old friend (by the way, that's "old" as in "older than me" and also "old" as in, well, you know) Bill Montrose, this Blog's Official Broadway Correspondent for his predictions on the 2017 Tony Awards, which will air on CBS the coming Sunday evening.

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

I can't really improve on last years' picks; (10 for 10), plus I don't have the "Hamilton wave" to ride, but I'm still confident with these fearless prognostications:

BEST PLAY ............................................................    Oslo

BEST MUSICAL .....................................................    Dear Evan Hansen

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL ................................    Steven Levenson, Dear Evan Hansen

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE ......................................    Dear Evan Hansen

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL .....................................    Hello, Dolly!

BEST PERFORMANCE - ACTOR .........................    Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen

BEST PERFORMANCE - ACTRESS .....................    Bette Midler, Hello, Dolly!

BEST PERFORMANCE - FEATURED ROLE

                                                         ACTOR ..........    Gavin Creel, Hello Dolly!

BEST PERFORMANCE - FEATURED ROLE

                                                      ACTRESS .........    Jenn Colella, Come From  Away

BEST DIRECTION MUSICAL .................................    Michael Greif, Dear Evan Hansen

Well that's it!   Looks like I'm leaning heavily on "Dear Evan Hansen" to capture most of the big categories.  "Come From Away" could pull some upsets,

but I'm still sticking with 'Evan'.  Even though "...The Great Comet" got the most nominations, their wins will come in the more technical "Design" categories;

e.g., Scenic, Costume, etc. And - as you usually point out  ......

                                                                                             WATCH BUT DON'T BET!

Thanks, Bill!

You've got to love how Bill has appropriated The Grandstander's "Watch, but don't bet" dictum, which The Grandstander freely admits he appropriated (stole?) from the late Post-Gazette Sports Editor/Columnist Al Abrams.  (An Al Abrams reference.  How's that for skewing old?)

I shall be reporting in on Monday to note Bill's winning percentage, and everybody enjoy the Tonys on Sunday night, or sometime on Monday because many of you will have DVR'ed the Tonys so as to be able to see the Penguins clinch the Stanley Cup on Sunday night.