written by: brian mahoneydesigned by: chad freeman

more than just a pretty faceHUGH JACKMANPut on your dancin’ shoes! Jackman returns to the 68th Annual Tony Awards as he hosts for the 68th time. Ok, it’s only his fourth, but it might feel like the 68th (not that anyone is complaining about it!). With his own award from Broadway’s biggest night under his belt, Hugh knows exactly what it takes to make us tune in, tap our feet, and get our hearts singing.

Before he made it big in Hollywood, Hugh was a musical theatre performer, starring in Beauty & the Beast in Australia and Oklahoma! in London.

He won the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Australian song & dance man Peter Allen in Boy From Oz in 2004 (and reprised the same role in Australia in 2006), has appeared on Broadway with Daniel Craig in A Steady Rain and also a one-man show, Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway. He’ll be returning to the Great White Way this fall, but thankfully we won’t have to wait until then to get our our dose of the delightful croonin’ Hugh!

The month of May brings a special buzz to midtown Manhattan. New signs go up in nominated theatres advertising their accolades; There are lots of luncheons, photo shoots, and editorial features; and when the big night comes, you may even catch a glimpse of a gussied up performer walking to the awards from their theatres after a Sunday matinee.

The biggest night in theatre is not just a way for producers to get the word out about their shows to the masses. It is also an opportunity for performers to share their talent and love for what they do with an audience that wouldn’t necessarily be exposed to the joy and excitement of live theatre. True, the awards presentation (and even the nominations and winners) have become

increasingly political. But for some performers who grew up in small towns without much exposure to the arts, the opportunity to watch the Tony Awards each year was the sole inspiration to fuel their own careers.

Careers have been made from Tony nominations and wins, and some careers were built without any critical acclaim at all. But there is no denying the magic of the Tony Awards and the importance they have in theatre culture. So take a moment to silence your mobile devices and unwrap your candies before the show so as to not disturb those around you, and allow yourself to be swept up in the world of live theatre!

let’s

get

THIS

PA

RTY

STA

RTE

D...

AFTER MIDNIGHT

Let’s be honest, few thought this show would last after midnight a month into their run. But lo and behold, the creative forces aligned and one of the most entertaining and successful productions of the season is still going strong. With rotating guest stars including Fantasia Barrino, Patti LaBelle and Babyface, a flawless jazz orchestra and hands down the best dancing of the season, there’s a strong chance this show will be celebrating late in the evening (at least until after midnight…see what I did there?).

BEAUTIFUL: the carole king musical

Broadway loves a jukebox musical (and so does its audiences). Who could predict that Ms. King’s life and career would “One Fine Day“ inspire one of the most successful productions of the 2014 season “On Broadway”? Beautiful is a strong vehicle for star and “Natural Woman” Jessie Mueller and the Roundabout Theatre Company, and its familiar songwriters and musical hits will make you “Feel the Earth Move” under your feet. It might be too familiar a formula to go “Walking in the Rain” with a slew of awards, but hopefully it will get the exposure it deserves to fuel a long run.

With one of the wittiest books and most versatile performers of the season, Gentleman’s Guide… is the little musical that could. When a man finds out he is eighth in line to inherit a dukedom, he begins eliminating the other seven standing in his way. The best part? All eight are played by the same actor! I expect lots of love (and a little murder) as they will likely be the big winner of the evening.

ALADDINHe can show you the world, and it looks a lot like Disney still rules Broadway. It may not be their biggest spectacle to hit the Great White Way (The Lion King moved two blocks up), but with a tongue-in-cheek book and a 15-minute show-stopping “Friend Like Me” before intermission even hits, you won’t be wishing for the show to end early. They have a better chance at some creative awards, but with its ticket sales and strong word of mouth, Aladdin won’t need three wishes to stay around for a good, long while.

BEST MUSICAL

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

BEST PLAY

ACT ONEThis love letter to the theatre has become a front runner

for many prizes of the evening. Telling the story of famous playwright Moss Hart’s rise to fame, Act One is

one of the best-reviewed and grandest productions of the season. Incredible performances, beautiful set and

costume design, and thoughtful writing and directing most likely means that this production will not go home

empty-handed.

ALL THE WAYWith in-demand leading man Bryan Cranston at the helm of this political drama, All the Way is one of the hottest

tickets this year. His portrayal of LBJ during his first years of presidency should win Cranston yet another

acting award to add to his arsenal, and his revered performance might just help it go—you guessed it—

all the way.

OUTSIDE MULLINGARIt’s a likely story: Irish farmer Rosemary has romantic

feelings for neighbor and fellow farmer Anthony, but Anthony is too shy and socially awkward to notice.

Hollywood’s favorite gay-man’s-best-friend Debra Messing finally makes her Broadway debut alongside

theatrical heavy hitter Brian F. O’Byrne in one of the season’s most beloved (and also best reviewed)

romantic comedies. Its short limited run was quite a success, but is still a long shot to take home any prizes.

Perhaps its Tony accolades will help it have a future across the pond?

CASA VALENTINA

A group of married men in the 1950’s convene in a resort home in the Catskills for the regular meeting of their unofficial sorority (yes, sorority). In an unexpectedly moving and thought-provoking new play, Tony award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein tells the story of a group of heterosexual men (or are they?) whose favorite pastime is dressing up as women. Fierstein has many friends in the industry, but does he have enough ‘bosom buddies’ to put more awards in his girdle?

MOTHERS AND SONSLights come up on a middle-aged man and an elderly woman standing in stoic silence admiring an incredi-ble Central Park view. The unspoken tension between them unravels over the next ninety minutes of this play by legendary playwright Terrance McNally. Telling the story of a mother visiting the former lover (who is now a married father) of her son who died of complications from AIDS, Mothers and Sons is more likely to tug at your heartstrings than it will be to tug its way onto the winner’s podium.

LES MISÉRABLES

No, it is not the 1987 or 2006. The longest-running show in the world has returned to Broadway for the second time in ten years in a more streamlined and digitally enhanced production in the hopes of attracting an all-new audience gained from the musical’s film release in 2012. It has received positive reviews and is selling well, and a few Tonys will certainly improve the chances of this broken record being fixed.

MUSICAL REVIVAL

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHAn actor with a cult following finds his perfect niche in a cult classic musical event that is destined to skyrocket both into the megasphere. In hands down the most popular show of the season, Harris truly embodies Hedwig, a transgender, German rocker front-lining a concert with her band, The Angry Inch. The show is poignant, hilarious, moving, revolutionary, and will easily win its biggest prizes of the evening.

VIOLETThe color violet is associated with the individualist (thanks, Wikipedia!). Violet, the musical, is one woman’s journey to accept and celebrate her individuality. Broadway darling Sutton Foster stars in the title role and gives a beautiful, passionate, stripped down and honest performance that is among her best work. The heart-warming show deserves more accolades than it will likely get at the awards, but the fact that this tiny, obscure show saw the light of day on Broadway is praise enough.

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN

The Brits continue to show us how it’s done with this comedy about some quirky characters in a tiny island off the coast of Ireland who have Hollywood dreams when a movie begins filming on a neighboring island. It likely won’t see much recognition on Tony night, but with Daniel Radcliffe as the title (but not central) character, this West End transplant doesn’t have to try too hard to be successful.

Another year, another Denzel Washington-led classic play returns to Broadway. This time, it’s the American standard about a black family’s struggle as new homeowners in a predominantly white neighborhood in 1950’s Chicago. Washington one again proves that he is more than an action star and Hollywood heartthrob, and Broadway proves that this staple of American theatre is still relevant and packs a punch.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

PLAY REVIVAL

THE GLASS MENAGERIE

This heavily lauded production may have ended its extended run a few months ago, but its legacy lives on. The Glass Menagerie continues to be remembered for its innovative production and amazing performances by Cherry Jones, Zachary Quinto, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Brian J. Smith. Unfortunately Quinto was overlooked for a nomination, but can stand strong knowing that he helmed one of the most decorated and successful plays of the season.

TWELFTH NIGHT

The Bard invaded Broadway yet again last fall when Twelfth Night and Richard III were played in rep, starring none other than famous Brit Mark Rylance. His portrayal of Olivia in this production, whose set was a recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London, was one of the most talked about of the season and proved that simplicity in the theatre can still be most affective.

BRIAN CRANSTONALL THE WAYEveryone’s favorite meth dealer left the Blue Sky behind last year, but Bryan Cranston’s career is just getting started. Since hanging up Heisenberg’s hat for good Cranston has filmed multiple movies and TV shows and has also been busy treading the boards. With his electrified and passionate portrayal of LBJ, Cranston has brought his signature scowl to the stage, earning rave reviews both in Los Angeles and on Broadway. Expect history to repeat itself when Cranston adds his third major award win in a single year.

ACTOR - PLAY

SAMUEL BARNETTTWELFTH NIGHT

CHRIS O’DOWDOF MICE AND MEN

MARK RYLANCERICHARD III

TONY SHALHOUBACT ONE

Barnett has added a slew of classic stage roles to his resume since first appearing in The History Boys both in the West End and on Broadway (for which he earned his first Tony nomination). This past season he brought another role across the pond, portraying Viola in an all-male production of Twelfth Night. Despite displaying his well-known vulnerability and sweet emotion and playing the role in rep with Richard III, it was his co-star Mark Rylance’s performance in the latter’s title role that stole the show.

O’Dowd effectively sheds his reputation as a comedic romantic interest, thanks to his role in Bridesmaids, and establishes himself as a serious (and seriously

talented) stage performer. Portraying the overly affectionate Lenny in Of Mice and Men, O’Dowd not only set himself apart with a standout performance, but also

managed to upstage one of the least upstageable actors of the day (I’m talking of the selfie-and-self-loving James Franco). Were it not for Cranston’s equally

outstanding appearance this season, O’Dowd would be the expected front-runner of the night.

Mr. Rylance is nothing short of a chameleon and a beast of an actor. He does not merely chew the scenery—he fully digests it. As the lecherous King Richard III of England, Rylance once again proved that he is the definition of theatre royalty. And to top it off, he was performing the show in rep with Twelfth Night. A few other actors might outshine Rylance on Tony night, but it does not discount the fact that he is one of, if not the singular finest actor gracing the Broadway stage today.

The amazing character actor of stage and television once again out does himself. But in Act One, Shalhoub not only stars as playwright George S. Kaufman but as

numerous other supporting roles. In his second nomination in two years under productions by Lincoln Center, it is clear that he is an unparalleled chameleon. We

just might need to wait another season for him to be recognized with a win.

TYNE DALYMOTHERS AND SONS

CHERRY JONESTHE GLASS MENAGERIE

LaTANYA RICHARDSON JACKSONA RAISIN IN THE SUN

ESTELLE PARSONSTHE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN

Ms. Daly is nothing short of a legend in the theatre community. So it is only fitting that she be approached by another theatre legend such as playwright Terrance McNally to revisit one of his more legendary characters. In Mothers and Sons, Daly portrays Katherine, a woman who is finally coming to terms with the death of her son due to complications from AIDS (as depicted in the 1990 drama Andre’s Mother). In a touching performance that brings issues of marriage equality, grief, and acceptance to the forefront, Daly is still a class act and she doesn’t need a Tony to prove it.

Ms. Jones shines as troubled matriarchal characters. In this fall’s most talked about revival, Jones portrayed Amanda Wingfield, a withered and abandoned

woman trying to set a better future for her children. Jones carried the show in this ensemble piece and despite being outshone by a few other performances in the

season, her performance as Amanda stands out as one of her finest.

It takes a lot to perform opposite one of Hollywood’s biggest stars around while honoring the lasting reputation of such a classic American play. Thankfully, this season’s production of A Raisin in the Sun has Richardson Jackson in its corner, playing Mama, who has a potential large insurance settlement in her hands. While she demonstrates true passion and regality on stage, it is Denzel who commands the attention nightly in a frequently produced show that is closing one week after the awards. This likely means Richardson Jackson will have to settle on the accolades of a nomination.

In the explosive, two-person The Velocity of Autumn, Parsons played a woman on the verge of ending it all. It might have been one of the shortest-lived

and biggest flops of the season, but Parsons’s performance proved that the Academy Award winner has still got it, with her nomination being the only

recognition that the American Theatre Wing gave this piece.

ACTRESS - PLAY

AUDRA McDONALDLADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILLAudra has already made Tony history with the most wins by a female (FIVE!). Now, Ms. McDonald stands to make history again, with the potential to win a Tony award in every possible acting category (until a sex change operation, at least). As the legendary Billie Holiday in this one-woman show with music, McDonald seamlessly slips into a world of jazz, booze, and sequins. I am confident that this untouchable performer will not only be recognized by the American Theatre Wing, but will continue to create history and set the bar higher and higher.

NEIL PATRICK HARRISHEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

ACTOR - MUSICAL

NPH has experience with reinventing himself. This year he has done it again, taking his stage experience from host to star. Though he is no stranger to Broadway, Harris is stepping it up a notch with his headlining gig as Hedwig, the frontrunner of the band Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He reportedly lost 20 pounds for the role, tucks himself into wigs and miniskirts, and endures a grueling show schedule. Harris truly transforms into Hedwig: He spits at the audience. He strips down. He open mouth kisses middle-aged, straight men (if that’s not your thing, by the way, steer clear of the first row mmk?). He’s fantastic. And on Tony night, he’s going home a winner.

RAMIN KARIMLOOLES MISÉRABLES

ANDY KARLROCKY

JEFFERSON MAYSA GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

BRYCE PINKHAMA GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

Following in Tony host Hugh Jackman’s footsteps is no easy task. But if anyone is up for the challenge, it’s Karimloo, who stars in the new Broadway production of the world’s longest-running musical. Having played the roles of Val Jean, Marius, and Enjolras in the West End, Karimloo is now stealing the show nightly with his passionate performance, impeccable vocals, and yes, impeccable pecs. He may not win a Tony, but he has already won the guarantee of a nice long career on the Great White Way

Yes, there is a musical version of a Sylvester Stallone movie on Broadway. Surprisingly, it’s not awful. And much of that is thanks to the tireless Andy Karl,

who literally jogs, jabs, and dodges his way through the show. Unfortunately, due to the lack of stellar material, Mr. Karl’s night at the Tony’s will end much like Mr.

Balboa’s fight in the grand (and it is quite grand) finale.

As the central (and supporting) characters in his show, Jefferson Mays displays the eight funniest sides of his personality. A true chameleon, Mays carries the show and makes it the hilarious, quirky, enjoyable show that it is. If it weren’t for the equally stellar Harris in the same category, Mays would hands down take home an award.

Even the greatest character actors need a little help now and then. Enter Pinkham, who flawlessly sets up the punch lines for Jefferson Mays in A

Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. Pinkham is also finely adept at the ways of physical comedy, despite being overshadowed by his costar. But it’s an honor

just to be nominated, right?

MARY BRIDGET DAVIESA NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN

SUTTON FOSTERVIOLET

IDINA MENZELIF/THEN

JESSIE MUELLERBEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

I’m not gonna lie, A Night with Janis Joplin came and went in the blink of an eye. Still, Davie’s eerily-accurate performance as the title character lives on as well-loved as Janis herself. Davies completely embodied Joplin, not only in body but in spirit. She is the unlikely underdog to win, but her recognition with a nomination is an honor nonetheless.

Following a brief stint in Hollywood as the star of ABC Family’s Bunheads, Broadway darling Sutton Foster is taking a serious turn from her usual splashy

Broadway appearances. She seamlessly brings raw emotion not normally required of her on stage, and takes her character and the audience on a passionate journey

for love, forgiveness, and beauty. Violet is such a sweet show and Foster’s performance is just that. Sadly, it is a bit too understated a performance for her to

take home a third award.

For Menzel, life imitates art in her latest Broadway bow. Having recently been focusing on reinventing her own life, Broadway’s favorite belter now experiences that reinvention eight times per week, while giving her all vocally and emotionally. She has had an amazing year so far with the success of Frozen and lots of help from John Travolta. Even if she doesn’t pull off a big win, it is clear that Menzel’s career is here to stay.

Mueller burst onto the theatre scene with a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut a few years ago. With her latest role as Carole King in Beautiful, she has

established herself as one of the most exciting leading ladies in one of the most demanding roles of the season. The show follows King from a 17-year old

aspiring songwriter to her infamous Carnegie Hall debut, and Mueller’s energy and stamina does not disappoint. That alone makes her a winner in my eyes.

ACTRESS - MUSICAL

KELLI O’HARATHE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTYOne of leading lady Francesca’s final lyrics in The Bridges of Madison County is “Love is always better.” Kelli O’Hara couldn’t sing these words more beautifully, and not just because she is one of Broadway’s most loved actresses. In the role of Francesca, O’Hara played an Italian born housewife in Iowa who is given a second chance for the passionate relationship she never had when a hunky, traveling photographer comes to town. O’Hara has been nominated a whopping five times in the past and has yet to win. With a musical as beloved (and tragically short lived) as The Bridges of Madison County and a performance so highly lauded for its emotional range, humanity, and passion, I think that O’Hara will finally come out a winner in this year’s tightest race.

BOOK OF A MUSICAL Aladdin CHAD BEGUELINBeautiful - The Carol King Musical

DOUGLAS McGRATHBullets Over Broadway

WOODY ALLENA Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

ROBERT L. FREEDMAN

SCORE Aladdin MUSIC: ALAN MENKEN; LYRICS:

HOWARD ASHMAN, TIM RICE & CHAD BEGUELINThe Bridges of Madison County

MUSIC & LYRICS: JASON ROBERT BROWNA Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

MUSIC: STEVEN LUTVAK; LYRICS: ROBERT L. FREEDMAN & STEVEN LUTVAK

If/Then MUSIC: TOM KITT; LYRICS: BRIAN YORKEY

ACTOR - PLAYSamuel Barnett TWELFTH NIGHTBryan Cranston ALL THE WAYChris O’Dowd OF MICE AND MENMark Rylance RICHARD IIITony Shalhoub ACT ONE

FEAT. ACTOR - PLAYReed Birney CASA VALENTINAPaul Chahidi TWELFTH NIGHTStephen Fry TWELFTH NIGHTMark Rylance TWELFTH NIGHTBrian J. Smith THE GLASS MENAGERIE

ACTRESS - MUSICALMary Bridget Davis

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLINSutton Foster VIOLETIdina Menzel IF/THENJesse Mueller

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROL KING MUSICALKelli O’Hara

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

ACTOR - MUSICALNeil Patrick Harris

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHRamin Karimloo LES MISÉRABLESAndy Karl ROCKYJefferson Mays

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDERBryce Pinkham

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

ACTRESS - PLAYTyne Daly MOTHERS AND SONSLaTanya Richardson Jackson

A RAISIN IN THE SUNCherry Jones THE GLASS MENAGERIEAudra McDonald

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILLEstelle Parsons

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN

FEAT. ACTOR - MUSICALDanny Burstein CABARETNick Cordero BULLETS OVER BROADWAYJoshua Henry VIOLETJames Monroe Iglehart ALADDINJarrod Spector

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

FEAT. ACTRESS - PLAYSarah Greene THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAANCelia Keenan-Bolger

THE GLASS MENAGERIESophie Okonedo A RAISIN IN THE SUNAnika Noni Rose A RAISIN IN THE SUNMare Winningham CASA VALENTINA

FEAT. ACTRESS - MUSICALLinda Emond CABARETLena Hall HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHAnika Larsen

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICALAdriane Lenox AFTER MIDNIGHTLauren Worsham

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

Act One JAME LAPINE

All The Way ROBERT SCHENKKAN

Casa Valentina HARVEY FIERSTEIN

Mothers and Sons TERRENCE McNALLY

Outside Mullingar JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY

BEST PLAY

The Cripple of Inishmaan The Glass Menagerie A Raisin in the Sun Twelfth NightPLAY REVIVAL

SCENIC DESIGN - PLAY Beowulf Boritt ACT ONEBob Crowley THE GLASS MENAGERIEEs Devlin MACHINALChristopher Oram

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN

SOUND DESIGN - MUSICALPeter Hylenski AFTER MIDNIGHTTim O’Heir HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHMick Potter LES MISÉRABLESBrian Ronan

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

SOUND DESIGN - PLAYAlex Baranowski

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAANSteve Canyon Kennedy

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILLDan Moses Schreier ACT ONEMatt Tierney MACHINAL

LIGHTING DESIGN - MUSICAL

Kevin Adams HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

Christopher Akerlind ROCKYHowell Binkley AFTER MIDNIGHTDonald Holder

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

SCENIC DESIGN - MUSICAL Christopher Barreca ROCKYJulian Crouch

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHAlexander Dodge

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDERSanto Loquasto

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY

COSTUME DESIGN - MUSICAL

Linda Cho A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

William Ivey Long BULLETS OVER BROADWAY

Arianne Phillips HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

Isabel Toledo AFTER MIDNIGHT

LIGHTING DESIGN - PLAYPaule Constable

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAANJane Cox MACHINALNatasha Katz THE GLASS MENAGERIEJaphy Weideman OF MICE AND MEN

Aladdin A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Beautiful - the Carole King Musical

After Midnight

BEST MUSICAL

TONY AWARDS 2014 WATCHLIST BALLOT

COSTUME DESIGN - PLAYJane Greenwood ACT ONEMichael Krass MACHINALRita Ryack CASA VALENTINAJenny Tiramani TWELFTH NIGHT

DIRECTION - PLAYTim Carroll TWELFTH NIGHTMichael Grandage

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAANKenny Leon A RAISIN IN THE SUNJohn Tiffany THE GLASS MENAGERIE

DIRECTION - MUSICALWarren Carlyle AFTER MIDNIGHTMichael Mayer

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHLeigh Silverman VIOLETDarko Tresnjak

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

CHOREOGRAPHYWarren Carlyle AFTER MIDNIGHTSteven Hoggett & Kelly Devine

ROCKYCasey Nicholaw ALADDINSusan Stroman BULLETS OVER BROADWAY

ORCHESTRATIONSDoug Besterman

BULLETS OVER BROADWAYJason Robert Brown

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTYSteve Sidwell

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICALJonathan Tunick

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

Les Misérables VioletHedwig and the Angry Inch MUSICAL REVIVAL

AND THE SHOW MUST GO ON...