Tony Predictions

BEST REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Faith Healer
Awake and Sing!
Barefoot in the Park
Three Days of Rain

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Sweeney Todd
The Pajama Game
Threepenny Opera

BEST PLAY
The History Boys
Festen
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Rabbit Hole

BEST MUSICAL
The Drowsy Chapersone
Jersey Boys
The Color Purple
The Wedding Singer

BEST LEADING ACRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kelli O'Hara, The Pajama Game
Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd
LaChanze, The Color Purple
Chita Rivera, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life
Sutton Foster, The Drowsy Chaperone

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Harry Connick Jr., The Pajama Game
Michael Cerveris, Sweeney Todd
Josh Strickland, Tarzan
John Lloyd Young, Jersey Boys
Stephen Lynch, The Wedding Singer

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Jersey Boys
The Color Purple
The Wedding Singer
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Woman in White

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A MUSICAL
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Color Purple
The Wedding Singer
The Woman in White
Tarzan

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Sweeney Todd
The Pajama Game
The Drowsy Chaperone
Jersey Boys
The Color Purple

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
The History Boys
Rabbit Hole
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Festen
Faith Healer

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Pajama Game
Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life
Tarzan
The Wedding Singer

These Yankees Are Worth a Damn

When DAMN YANKEES premiered in the 1950's, it provided an ideal vehicle for superstar Gwen Verdon, and it provided sports fans an excuse to attend the theatre.

Now in 2006 it seems somewhat dated with its bland score and blander book. Fortunately, the creative team at North Shore Music Theatre had the knowledge to incorporate the Boston Red Sox into the story. This is an expert move on their part because now the show has built-in familiarity. The audience can now identify with something.

Director/Choreographer Barry Ivan has assembled a terrific cast of players who flush out the script the best they can with precision and ease. Many of the songs are well-known, even if that doesn't mean they are good.

This is a fun, light evening or afternoon at the park for anyone interested or not in sports. But, hey, there is nothing wrong with rooting for the home team. B