Pop-Culturalist.com

One of my favorite awards shows of the year is almost here: the Tony Awards! Broadway’s biggest night is sure to be full of laughs (thanks to this year’s host James Corden) and plenty of song and dance.

While 2016 has clearly been the year of Hamilton, there were/are plenty of other wonderful shows out there so here’s a breakdown of a few key categories (that might not go to the Hamilton team) and who we hope to see take home Broadway’s grandest titles (for a full list of all categories and all nominees, go here).

Best Revival of a Musical
The Color Purple
Fiddler on the Roof
She Loves Me
Spring Awakening

While each of these revivals were great, I think She Loves Me has a slight edge over the rest of them. The entire revival (from set to music to cast) was slick and very well-done.

Best Original Score
Bright Star
Hamilton
School of Rock
Waitress

Although this may be a long shot, I’ll be rooting for Bright Star in this category. The bluegrass music got under my skin and brings a smile to my face.

Best Performance by an Actor (Leading Role, Musical)
Alex Brightman, School of Rock
Danny Burstein, Fiddler on the Roof
Zachary Levi, She Loves Me
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton

Ok, so this is still Hamilton‘s category because if Leslie Odom, Jr. does not win for his fantastic Aaron Burr portrayal…

Best Performance by an Actress (Leading Role, Musical)
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Carmen Cusack, Bright Star
Cynthia Erivo, The Color Purple
Jessie Mueller, Waitress
Phillipa Soo, Hamilton

This category will be tough. All of these ladies were fantastic in their roles (although the great Audra McDonald for her performance in Shuffle Along is sorely missed here). Cynthia Erivo should take this one. If she weren’t in the running, I’d love to see Carmen Cusack win because her performance was brilliant and a bit under-the-radar, in my opinion.

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Es Devlin & Finn Ross, American Psycho
David Korins, Hamilton
Santo Loquasto, Shuffle Along
David Rockwell, She Loves Me

So, first of all, I think Tuck Everlasting’s scenic design was fabulous. The giant tree with moving branches should have been enough for it to make this list. I digress. Obviously, She Loves Me should win out of these nominees. The shop in the show was meticulous, fun, and impressive.

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Tuck Everlasting
Jeff Mahshie, She Loves Me
Ann Roth, Shuffle Along
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton

All of the costuming for each of these shows was great. However, I think Tuck Everlasting had a great mix of the traditional time-era clothing and the fun (that fair scene just came alive). I admit, I also would love to see it win something since I enjoyed the short-lived family-friendly show.

Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton
Savion Glover, Shuffle Along
Hofesh Shechter, Fiddler on the Roof
Randy Skinner, Dames at Sea
Sergio Trujillo, On Your Feet!

Savion, Savion, Savion! The tap dancing in Shuffle Along was unreal.

Best Orchestrations
August Eriksmoen, Bright Star
Larry Hochman, She Loves Me
Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton
Daryl Waters, Shuffle Along

It may be the traditionalist in me, but I think She Loves Me should also take this one. The lush orchestrations were lovely.

So, who do you think should win these Tony Awards? Tune in to CBS tomorrow, Sunday, June 12 at 8/7c to watch the Tony Awards 2016!