Tony Awards 2012: Who Will Emerge Victorious?

The Tony Awards take place this weekend (June 10, 2012) and the US media are beginning to speculate as to who should take home the gongs in this theatre-equivalent of the Oscars. The Actor (in a play) award will be one of the most hotly contested, with Associated Press tipping Philip Seymour Hoffman, for his role in 'Death of a Salesman'. If they had their way though, the British comedian James Corden would be triumphant. They were impressed with Corden's performance in 'One Man, Two Guvnors,' arguing that he was the making of the successful farce.

In the actress (in a play) category, the competition is just as fierce. AP have struggled to identify a clear leader, though Tracy Bennett's turn in 'End of the Rainbow' is described as "the complete package - acting, singing and descending into pill-popping madness." Their suggestion that the awards organisers should "abandon the attempt and cheer the sheer strength of women on Broadway" most likely won't occur so Nina Arianda, Stockard Channing, Cynthia Nixon and Linda Lavin will all have to wait until Sunday evening to find out which one of them will emerge from the pack victorious.

The four musicals competing for a prize are 'Leap of Faith', 'Newsies', 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' and 'Once'. AP have their money on 'Newsies,' as it features songs written originally for the stage which will work in their favor for the Tony award voters. 'Once' could well nudge it off the top spot though, for its feel good factor. The best play looks likely to be 'Clybourne Park', the play that proves "Broadway is putting on great American works again."