Going for 2012 Tony Gold! Handicapping the Race for Best Play
It’s almost Tony time, and let's face it: We’re obsessed! In anticipation of the 2012 Tony nominations, which will be announced on May 1, the Broadway.com editorial staff clocked 12 of the top races. Take a look at our forecast, including frontrunners, hopefuls and a “shout out” to one performer or show we hope the Tony nominators won’t forget. Below, our cheat sheet on the race for Best Play.
FRONTRUNNERS
Clybourne Park
Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize winner takes two real estate deals 50 years apart and uses them as a comedic kaleidoscope to examine racism, gentrification and neighborly behavior. Meet at the corner of praise and provocation for a nom.
Other Desert Cities
A deliciously dysfunctional family is center stage in Jon Robin Baitz’s sharp-witted drama. When long-held secrets are revealed, the wealthy Wyeth clan keeps the zingers flying through the emotional revision of family history.
Peter and the Starcatcher
Rick Elice’s adaptation of the children’s novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is a delightful explanation of how Peter Pan met Captain Hook. This swashbuckling joy ride is theatrical, inventive and funny—an awards magnet trifecta.
IN THE MIX
One Man, Two Guvnors
Richard Bean’s strictly British take on Commedia dell'Arte achieves something many farces do not: hysterical laughter.
The Lyons
Nicky Silver’s caustic comedy reaches new heights in skewering the mother of all Jewish mothers, her dying husband and their screwed-up kids.
Seminar
Theresa Rebeck’s entertaining play follows a quartet of fledgling novelists, an intimidating instructor and a writing workshop from hell.
Venus in Fur
Kinky and cunning, David Ives’ story of an audition that evolves from comedy into a sexual power play is seductive in every sense of the word.
Also possible: The Columnist, End of the Rainbow, Magic/Bird, The Mountaintop, Relatively Speaking, Stick Fly
BROADWAY.COM SHOUT OUT
Chinglish
David Henry Hwang's comedy on the business of doing business in China hit home with its confusing cross-cultural clashes. A great feat in any language.