'Twas the Night Before the Tony Nominations, and all through the "House"...

It's here: Tony Award Nominations Eve. I love this night because, until tomorrow, all the eligible shows, all the eligible actors, creatives, producers, are “hopefuls." Even if unlikely, a nomination is still possible. And even if the reviews weren't stellar, I can attest to the fact that every show has its fans; I see them on social media every day. So whether or not a show gets nominations, it may have changed someone's life, and how can any award match that? Well, a nomination, and then even more with a win, can mean the financial life-blood that allows a show to keep changing lives. The thing(s) I really hate about post-nomination day is/are the inevitable closing notices that may result if a show isn't nominated. But tonight, hope is still alive.

So, here are my Tony nomination wishes. But first, the shows I did not see/have  not seen yet (I will see most before the awards): A Doll's House Part 2; Six Degrees of Separation; The Little Foxes; Anastasia; Oh Hello on Broadway; The Present; The Glass Menagerie; Les Liaisons Dangereuses; Present Laughter. Based on what I did see, and general reactions from audiences (not critics), here are my picks for the big four categories, and one category, not currently covered by The Tony Awards that I believe is a must to be added someday:

Best Play

Indecent  
A Doll's House Part 2
Oslo
Significant Other
Sweat

Best Musical

Come From Away  
Dear Evan Hansen
Groundhog Day
Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Tie: Amelie / In Transit

Best Revival of a Play

Jitney  
Six Degrees of Separation
The Front Page
The Little Foxes

Best Revival of a Musical

Hello Dolly!  
Sunset Boulevard
Falsettos

Best Ensemble / Musical

Come From Away
Falsettos
In Transit
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Best Ensemble / Play

Indecent
Oslo
The Play That Goes Wrong

But I'd also like to offer a somewhat random list of memorable moments from this past season that transcend whatever may happen with awards for me:

• The instantaneous standing ovation at Come From Away; the fastest, most complete I've ever experienced.
• The amazing apella performances of the cast of In Transit
• The stunningly vulnerable performances of Ben Platt and Rachel Bay Jones in Dear Evan Hansen
• The opening scene of Indecent (no spoiler)
• The gorgeous production design of War Paint
• The beautiful confections that are the costumes in Hello Dolly!
• The goldfish in Amelie and the endearing performances of Adam Chanler-Berat and Tony Sheldon
• The immersion of the audience in the world of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
• Jenn Colella’s “Me and the Sky" in Come From Away 
• Danny DeVito eating an egg in The Price
• The unique experience of a Broadway show via individual headphones in The Encounter
• The set design for the revival of Cats, especially the understage entrance and exit tunnels
• John Slattery & Robert Morse in The Front Page
• Stephanie J. Block's virtuosic “I'm Breaking Down" in Falsettos
• The opening number, “Andrey Isn't Here" in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812  
• Anthony Rosenthal giving what I'll call a Sydney-Lucas-level performance as Jason in Falsettos
• The chemistry between Denis Arndt & Mary-Louise Parker in Heisenberg
• The brilliant, bust-a-gut, deliciously silly, farcical The Play That Goes Wrong
• Kristen Blodgette and the glorious onstage orchestra of Sunset Boulevard
• Bette Midler.

So, regardless of what happens tomorrow, I deeply appreciate all the joy, soul-challenging, heart-filled, life-changing moments I've experienced in theatres this season. Everyone who worked to bring these shows to audiences have my heart.