New York, NY — The stage is set for an intensely competitive race as 42 productions vie for Tony Award nominations this year. With announcements scheduled for Thursday morning, the anticipation is palpable. The upcoming event raises intriguing questions about the increasing presence of film and television stars within the theater landscape and the prospects of high-tech entries like “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” and “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
The nominees for the 78th Annual Tony Awards will be revealed live from Sofitel New York on May 1 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, through the Tony Awards’ official YouTube channel. CBS Mornings will preview selected categories beginning at 8:30 a.m. Full nominee details will be available on TonyAwards.com shortly after the announcement.
The Tony Awards ceremony itself is set to take place on June 8, airing live from Radio City Music Hall at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+.
In the race for Best Play, competition is notably fierce, with five slots up for grabs. “Oh, Mary!” and “John Proctor Is The Villain” are likely to secure nominations. Other contenders such as “The Hills of California” and “English” are also expected to make the cut. However, wild cards in this category include “Cult of Love” and “Purpose,” while both “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” may face scrutiny over their heavy reliance on special effects.
When it comes to Best Musical, the leading five contenders appear to be “Maybe Happy Ending,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Buena Vista Social Club,” and “Operation Mincemeat.” While “Swept Away” has its supporters, its fleeting run last fall may hinder its chances.
In the Best Play Revival category, anticipation surrounds “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Eureka Day,” which are almost guaranteed nominations. “Othello” and “Yellow Face” are also strong contenders, while dark horses such as “Our Town,” “Romeo + Juliet,” and “Home” could surprise audiences.
In the musical revivals race, a similar trend emerges. Expected nominees include “Floyd Collins,” “Gypsy,” “Sunset Boulevard,” and “Pirates! The Penzance Musical.” The fifth spot could go either way, with “Once Upon a Mattress” vying for attention.
For Best Actor in a Play, Cole Escola appears to have a commanding lead thanks to their praised performance in “Oh, Mary!” Jake Gyllenhaal in “Othello,” alongside box office heavyweights Denzel Washington and George Clooney, are set to compete fiercely. The fifth slot could be a toss-up between Daniel Dae Kim in “Yellow Face” or Louis McCartney in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
The Best Actress in a Play category brings heart-stopping talent to the forefront, with Sarah Snook’s versatile performance in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” a near certainty for a nomination. Laura Donnelly, Sadie Sink, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson are also expected to compete fiercely.
In musicals, expected nominees for Best Actress include Audra McDonald and Nicole Scherzinger, both considered lock-ins. Emerging contenders like Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are likely to garner recognition for their dual roles in “Death Becomes Her,” while Jasmine Amy Rogers and Helen J. Shen vie for the final slot.
As the excitement builds, the Best Featured Actor in a Play category promises to be engaging, with Kieran Culkin emerging as a front-runner. His “Glengarry Glen Ross” co-stars, such as Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr, could join him in nominations. Meanwhile, Jak Malone is expected to shine in the musical category, with deeply emotional performances drawing significant acclaim.
As the nominations draw near, the theater community brims with anticipation, showcasing the pulse of an industry continuously evolving and adapting. The 2024 Tony Awards promise to celebrate a dazzling array of talent, both on stage and off, as Broadway continues to captivate audiences worldwide.