2017 Pulitzer: your predictions

[BakerWilliams]

The winners will be announced in about a month, so I'm curious to know what all of you think will take home the prize.

If I were in charge, I'd give it to Hold On to Me Darling, though I'd say it's choices are close to zero. 

My prediction is that Sweat takes home a deserved win. Red Speedo, A Life, or Indecent might sneak in, though.

[LesWickedly]

Won't be surprised if Dear Evan Hansen is nominated, but won't take the win.

[Phantom of London]

Odd in the past, when for consequitive years 'no award' was given.

[MadonnaMusical]

My vote would be for Familiar at playwrights. 

[Kimbo]

My prediction? It will, and should be, Oslo.  Runner-ups should be Sweat and Hold to Me Darling.  The amazing authors of both Sweat and Indecent both already have Pulitzers for (in my opinion) clearly superior plays, and with all due respect Dear Evan Hansen simply isn't at the level of any of the other shows mentioned in this thread, let alone the South Pacific/Chorus Line/Sunday in the Park/Hamilton musicals of years past.  (It really is, and should be, a rare thing when a musical wins the Pulitzer.)

The only thing that could stand in Oslo's way if you ask me is the requirement that the play be "preferably dealing with American life".  And in that respect, Sweat would in fact appear to have a leg up.  But the implications that the events of Oslo have on not just American life, but all life everywhere, are huge, just as they were in JT Rogers' previous play "Blood and Gifts".  His writing is so well-researched, so universally human, and so entertaining, that it would be a shame if he were continually denied a shot at the Pulitzer simply because he writes these touching, funny and thrilling history plays that just happen to largely take place outside the U.S.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Sweat feels likely to me- at the very least for a nomination- and I wouldn't be surprised if it wins Best Play as well. It's very timely, and Nottage is a well-regarded playwright who has won before. Of course, it's hard to really "predict" the Pulitzer, since the winner can come from anywhere (Water by the Spoonful, anyone?) and they aren't obligated to pick a winner at all. 

I get that it will likely win Best Musical, but Dear Evan Hansen absolutely should not win or be nominated for a Pulitzer. 

[froote]

Yeah DEH shouldn't even come close.

[BroadwayGuy12]

It likely won't happen, but I'd love to see THE HARVEST listed as a finalist.

[cjmclaughlin10]

Im really hoping they show some love to Skeleton Crew 

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Kimbo said: " (It really is, and should be, a rare thing when a musical wins the Pulitzer.)

 

 

"

There is absolutely no reason why it SHOULD be rare.

[neonlightsxo]

cjmclaughlin10 said: "Im really hoping they show some love to Skeleton Crew "

 

I may be wrong, but wouldn't that have been last year's Pulitzers? It opened off Broadway January 2016. What is the eligibility window?

 

[AC126748]

It's calendar year eligibility (i.e., January 1-December 31).

[djoko84]

OSLO should win, but I don't think it's eligible because it's not about American life. I can sea Sweat, Indecent, or Dear Evan Hansen winning. I think a DEH win is definitely very much possible.

[Kad]

I think likely candidates include Oslo, Sweat, A Life, Indecent, and The Wolves.

[Kimbo]

I forgot about A Life - good cal, Kad.  So my money is on Oslo, Sweat, Indecent and possibly A Life (I wasn't as crazy about The Wolves).  Dear Evan Hansen, while a good musical, isn't nearly as solid dramaturgically as any of those others, and respectfully (while fully deserving to be in the running for Best Musical awards), doesn't belong in Pulitzer consideration.  (Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see a nomination for Come From Away holding more ground as a hypothetical runner-up).  But I'd still hope for Oslo.

As far as this business about it being ineligible because it's not about American life, I don't know that that's necessarily true.  In the last 10 years alone, Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo was a runner up (set in Iraq), and most notably, 2009 Pulitzer winner Ruined, by the playwright of Sweat, took place entirely in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  I think it's stated that the play 'preferably' or 'ideally' have to do with American life... but I'd argue the thematic implications of Oslo (the hope for peace) have more overall bearing on contemporary American life than even those of Ruined, as great a play as that is. 

If Lynn Nottage and Paula Vogel hadn't both already won Pulitzers (and for what I think are stronger plays), I'd say it would be a three-horse-race - and Sweat would likely nab it for capturing something of the mood of the moment.  But Sweat has problems - minor, but problems nonetheless - and Oslo is a sensationally enlightening and entertaining play by a well-regarded playwright (who as yet has not achieved a slew of awards recognition), and is a profound work with a true uplifting message of hope.  I'm sure neither Vogel nor Nottage would say no to a second Pulitzer, but I bet even they wouldn't be surprised to see it going to JT Rogers this time around.  We'll see.

(Maybe this'll be one of those years the committee decides that no play merits the award - can you imagine??)

[AC126748]

djoko84 said: "OSLO should win, but I don't think it's eligible because it's not about American life. I can sea Sweat, Indecent, or Dear Evan Hansen winning. I think a DEH win is definitely very much possible.

 

"

That is not an actual requirement: "For a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life" (my emphasis). Several plays have won that do not directly deal with "American life," such as RUINED, I AM MY OWN WIFE, and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, to name a few.

I think OSLO is a strong contender. 

[djoko84]

If this is true then I really hope Oslo wins.