Many in Tony Race. Will 'Kinky Matilda' Walk All Over Them?

Tony nominee favorite Cicely Tyson and Cuba Goofing, Jr. in "The Trip To Bountiful." Photo by Joan Marcus.

BY TAMARA BECK

THERE are amongst us those for whom handicapping the Tonys is a sport no less exciting than the Mets-Yankees matchup!

Some will say, as our friend, W does, that the nominations are meaningless. Some object year after year to the choices the nominating committee makes. Many endeavor to see every play and musical on the list.

For theatergoers, the Antoinette Perry Award For Excellence in Theatre is a celebration of achievement and the culmination of a great Broadway season. Nominations are announced amid much speculation some 40 days before the ceremonies. The official website of the American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards features a countdown to The 2013 Tony Awards.

The ceremony hosted by Neil Patrick Harris airs at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, 9 June on CBS (http://www.tonyawards.com/index.html).

As is customary, there are rumored shoo-ins before the announcements and post-announcement rivalries. Either “Kinky Boots” or “Matilda The Musical” is said to be a runaway for “Bests” this year.

And the categories are … There are actually 26, not unlike the National Hockey League’s democratic playoffs that assure almost any production in a Broadway theater before the deadline will be in the running. Among main categories are Best Play, Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre. Each has four prospective winners. There are no runners-up.

Tracy Letts and Amy Morton aka George and Martha in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Photo by Michael Brosilow.

In The Best Revival of a Play slot the excellent “A Trip To Bountiful” hounds this reviewer’s personal favorite of the season, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Not that the “Bountiful” production isn’t terrific. Or that “Golden Boy” was anything but a letter-perfect period-true revival of the Odets’ classic. So all that said, my money is on “Virgina Woolf.”

In the Best Actress in a Play category, I’m going with Cicely Tyson, while plucking Danny Burstein for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his superb turn in “Golden Boy.”

In the Revival of a Musical slot, let’s give odds to “Pippin,” though “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” looks good, too. Speaking of “Pippin,” bets are on 2011 nominee (“Sister Act”) Patina Miller for a Best Actress in a Musical despite some stiff competition from Valisia LeKae as Diana Ross in “Motown The Musical.”

/>Prince Topher (Santino Fontana) and his Cinderella (Laura Osnes) in the much-nominated “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.” Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The biggest money is always on Best Musical. So “Kinky Boots” or “Matilda?” Go with “Kinky Boots.” It’s got a book by Broadway fave Harvey Fierstein with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, actress, activist, Grammy and Emmy winner.

Another one for “Kinky Boots” in Billy Porter as Best Actor in a Musical for his high-heeled lead in “Kinky Boots.” He edges out “Matilda’s” Bertie Carvel who gives him a good cross-dressed run for the prize.

Best Play? Not “The Assembled Parties,” about an affluent Upper West Side Jewish family Christmas. It’s merely OK.

Truthfully, this reviewer has not viewed the other ponies in this category, but let’s give the sentimental edge to “Lucky Boy” from the late, beloved Nora Ephron. “Lucky Boy” stars the always lovable Tom Hanks in his Broadway debut as a hardhitting New York reporter.

OK, that’s a wrap. May the best win!

Visit http://www.tonyawards.com/index.html to learn more about “The 2013 Tony Awards,” including the complete nominees’ list and how to access a “Racing Form.”

Gordy Tells His Story His Way in 'Motown The Musical'

BY TAMARA BECK

ONCE upon a time, Detroit’s assembly lines rolled out lots of big cars. In those days the Motor City was also home to a big sound that caught on across the nation and the world.

You might say it had folks, as the title of the famous Martha Reeves and the Vandellas song goes, “Dancing In The Streets.”

The reminiscences of those halcyon days by Motown record company founder Berry Gordy inform “Motown The Musical.” Based on his book, “To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, the musical is in an open run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. (See video above).

“Motown The Musical” begins with BG’s youth and culminates with the 1983 television special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. By now, almost every one of BG's contract writers and singers has abandoned him for richer paydays at larger record company companies.

Berry (Brandon Victor Dixon, center) convinces sister, Esther (Marva Hicks, left), and the rest of the Gordy family to believe in his dream in "Motown The Musical." Photo by Joan Marcus.

The story BG (Brandon Victor Dixon) tells in “Motown The Musical” is from his point of view. His most lasting legacy is distinctive music known and loved as the “Motown Sound.” He cultivated many stars-to-be like Stevie Wonder (Ryan Shaw). BG’s formula for his music studio, like the formula for this show, was splash and pizzazz, wowing audiences with fancy dance moves and stunning outfits.

The Tony-nominated “Motown The Musical” is agog with fantastic choreography by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, fabulous sets by David Korins and breathtaking costumes by Esosa also known as Emilio Sosa who came to fame on Season 7 of “Project Runway.” More shortly

Visit http://www.motownthemusical.com/ to learn more about “Motown The Musical.” Rx