Spamalot, Doubt, Pillowman and Glengarry Glen Ross Will Dominate Tony Award Noms, Say GoldDerby Experts

When Tony Award nominations are announced Tuesday morning at 8:35 a.m. (EDT), Broadway insiders will probably prove they're not as star-struck as many theater-goers, according to the journalists at GoldDerby.com.

"With 39 productions, this has been a bustling Broadway season, one of the busiest in more than a decade," notes Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press.

"Here's what to look for," adds Patrick Pacheco, editor of Show People. "What 'box-office' names will be snubbed: Nathan Lane ('The Frogs'), Jessica Lange ('Glass Menagerie'), Denzel Washington ('Julius Ceasar'), John Lithgow ('Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'), Edie Falco ('night, Mother'), John C. Reilly ('Streetcar Named Desire'), Jeff Goldblum ('Pillowman') and possibly Alan Alda ('Glengarry Glen Ross')."

Susan Haskins, costar and producer of PBS TV show Theater Talk adds, "Natasha Richardson is likely to be snubbed. Her 'Streetcar Named Desire' has received disappointing reviews, so the obligatory Blanche DuBois nod may not be forthcoming."

Tom O'Neil, senior editor of In Touch Weekly, does not believe Lithgow and Alda will be snubbed, but he does expect many celeb slights to occur during kudos season. "The Tonys will make an extraordinary effort this year to salute veteran theater talent over celebrity superstars," he says. "Frontrunners to win include Victoria Clark, who plays an aging romantic in the Lincoln Center musical 'Light in the Piazza,' and Brian F. O'Byrne as a priest suspected of sexually molestation in the Pultizer Prize-winning play 'Doubt.' Those are little-known names beyond the New York theater scene."

"In the musical categories, Best Show nominees will be 'Spamalot,' 'Spelling Bee,' 'Light' in the Piazza' and 'Dirty Rotten Scoudrels,'" says Haskins, reflecting her peers' majority view at GoldDerby.com. O'Neil adds, "Considering it's this year's hype-a-lot, 'Spamalot' must be considered the frontrunner for Best Musical, of course."

"Five new plays opened on Broadway this season: 'Doubt,' 'The Pillowman,' 'Brooklyn Boy,' 'Democracy,' and 'Gem of the Ocean' - more than enough to fill the four best-play positions," notes Kuchwara.

"'Doubt' and 'Pillowman' will predominate," asserts Pacheco.

"Doubt" was considered the early frontrunner to win Best Play after snagging the Pulitzer, but that was before "Pillowman" opened to smash reviews. Now the contest for Best Drama is a REAL drama. GoldDerby guru Elysa Garder of USA Today hails Martin McDonagh's "Pillowman" as "the best play of the season -- a season that has included stellar efforts from the likes of August Wilson, John Patrick Shanley and Michael Frayn."

GoldDerby's experts invite amateurs to join a contest to try and make fools of them. Contestants are chosen for the website's rival FoolsGoldDerby track from players who predict the most correct nominees in 4 categories. Entries must be made before midnight Monday night. Further details are at the website.

GoldDerby's pros invite discussion with the public at a free panel discussion on Monday, May 23, organized by New York University, and hosted by Professor Michael Zam. Address: 11 West 42nd St. (4th floor), 7 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required -- RSVP to News@GoldDerby.com

The 59th annual Tony Awards will be bestowed on Sunday, June 5, at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Hugh Jackman for the third year in a row and telecast by CBS for the 28th year. Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m.