Going for 2013 Tony Gold! Handicapping the Race for Best Actor in a Musical

2013 Tony Forecast

by Broadway.com Staff • Apr 25, 2013

It's Tony time on Broadway, and as always, we can't stop thinking about who'll be going for the gold on June 9! In anticipation of the 2013 nominations, which will be announced on April 30, we're clocking 14 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, we analyze the race for Best Actor in a Musical.

FRONTRUNNERS
Bertie Carvel, Matilda
The charismatically creepy Carvel is a shoo-in for a nomination for his transformative performance as evil Miss Trunchbull, the scourge of Matilda and Miss Honey.

Santino Fontana, Cinderella
Fontana’s Prince Topher boasts a gorgeous voice and an appealingly innocent quality that adds to his royal charm, plus great stage chemistry with co-star Laura Osnes.

Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Porter tears up the stage as fierce and gorgeous drag queen Lola in a confident, sexy star performance that has “Tony nominee” written all over it.

IN THE MIX
Brandon Victor Dixon, Motown
In this sprawling musical hit, Dixon anchors the action (and ages 25 years) as Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Rob McClure, Chaplin
We’ve been cheerleading for McClure’s moving performance as the Little Tramp all season—here’s hoping Tony nominators saw it.

Jim Norton, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Don’t count out this Tony winner’s droll and witty turn as the narrator Chairman, a role that won George Rose a Tony 27 years ago.

Stark Sands, Kinky Boots
In Kinky’s less showy starring role, Sands propels the action and makes audiences care about the fate of his family's shoe factory.

Matthew James Thomas, Pippin
The charming center of a raucous production, Thomas believably embodies the roles of son, lover and seeker and sings the title role beautifully.

Also possible: John Bolton (A Christmas Story), Constantine Maroulis (Jekyll & Hyde), Johnny Rabe (A Christmas Story)

BROADWAY.COM SHOUT OUT
Anthony Warlow, Annie
The Australian star is perfection as gruff tycoon Oliver Warbucks, who melts over his newfound love of orphan Annie. Fabulous singing, dancing and acting: Nominate him!