The Great “Best Play” Race of 2019

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 4/29/19 at 7:30am

Tony nominations tomorrow, figured we could start a thread about the most competitive category this season, other than Best Actor in a play. To me, there are 3 nominees that I believe are guaranteed, The Ferryman, To Kill A Mockinbird, and What The Constitution Means To Me.

For the final 2 slots, I think we see competition between Ink, Network, Choir Boy, Gary, and a slim chance for Hillary and Clinton. In 24 hours from now, what do you think will be our nominees? Im predicting:


The Ferryman

To Kill A Mockinbird

What The Constitution Means To Me

Ink

Choir Boy



Just a fantastic season for new plays all around, so much talent will likely go unrecognized!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/29/19 at 7:44am

This is the race that I am most excited about. It's definitely between Mockingbird, The Ferryman, and Constitution. 

[sethepstein12]

Posted: 4/29/19 at 7:57am

My predictions are the same as yours, OP! Very excited for this race

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 4/29/19 at 8:24am

bwayphreak234 said: "This is the race that I am most excited about. It's definitely between Mockingbird, The Ferryman, and Constitution."

While I haven't seen Constitution, I believe any of these 3 can win and Id be very happy with that.  Nothing this season has left me as exhilarated as The Ferryman though. Praying I can catch WTCMTM this June in my trip. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/29/19 at 8:39am

I’d love to see Gary slip in somehow, but I can’t imagine which of those five it would knock out. This is Taylor Mac’s Broadway debut and it would be great to acknowledge that. When is the next time Broadway producers will take a chance on Mac? I know that’s not a reason to nominate something, but the play was a highlight for me this season as well. Then again, so were those other plays... all right, maybe I’d knock Ink out, but its timeliness and being fresh on the nominators’ minds will probably push that one through.

[CityLights3]

Posted: 4/29/19 at 9:35am

Those are definitely the 5 best Broadway plays of the season. My personal favorite is INK. It’s the best technical production of the lot and expect it to have a very nice showing on that front as well as it’s two leading men. CHOIR BOY is too important a piece of theatre with its themes of race and sexuality to be left off the list, especially post Jussie Smollett, it’s even more important it’s message is heard by a wider audience. CONSTITUTION covers the politically charged climate we live in much like INK. THE FERRYMAN is that epic tale that doesn’t get produced much on a broadway stage anymore. And MOCKINGBIRD, while I wasn’t crazy in Love with it and would love to see a Scott Rudin backlash, there is too much to respect about its parts to leave it off the list. Though to be a fly on Scott Rudin’s wall If it were.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 5/1/19 at 8:52am

Well, shockingly no Mockingbird. Id say its safe to say its between Constitution and The Ferryman right now with the edge towards The Ferryman. Possible sneak in for Ink. Shocked still about TKAM, but its such a strong season that Im glad these 5 shows are nominated and recgonized! 

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/1/19 at 9:09am

The screed wins.

No contest.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/1/19 at 9:58am

Ferryman still has the edge, but if Constitution plays its cards right, that could sneak in and win. It’s mind-boggling that Mockingbird didn’t get in, but it makes for a much more interesting race.

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/1/19 at 10:29am

 "if Constitution plays its cards right, that could sneak in and win."

It doesn't even have to bother unsealing the deck.

[Sauja]

Posted: 5/1/19 at 10:41am

I think it goes to The Ferryman, but I do believe there's an outside chance Constitution gets it, which I'll be rooting for. It was the most moving show I've seen in the past year in spite of its small scale. The Ferryman dazzled with a massive cast and scope but it added up to just a shade less than Heidi Schreck's astonishing work. 

 

I also adored Choir Boy and am thrilled that the delightful, thoughtful, divisive Gary made it in. I haven't seen Ink yet, but for my money, the Tonys actually got this right. I know leaving Mockingbird out is controversial, but I do believe that's a great production of a middling adaptation and believe people's affection for the source material might occasionally influence response to the show itself. And much as I adore Ivo van Hove's work usually, I found Network to be an empty, terrible bore. And I LOVE the source material in that case.

 

It's going to be neck and neck, but my money is on The Ferryman while my heart is set on Constitution.