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[0:00] Jeff Malone: Welcome to Half Hour with Jeff & Richie, the podcast where we explore the latest shows we see, sharing our insights and opinions on the performances, storylines, and everything in between. In today's episode, we're discussing the 2026 Tony Awards Predictions for plays.

[0:14] Richie Grasso: The Tony Awards are Sunday, June 7th, and we're giving you what we think could or might or will win in just a few short days. So whether you cannot catch the Tony Awards or any Tony Award nominated shows in person, or you just want to hear our thoughts, this episode is definitely for you. Yeah, it might help you with your ballots. So if you're ready to dive into this episode with us and see what our picks are for the play categories at this year's Tony Awards, come stick around with us.

[0:40] Jeff Malone: I'm Jeff.

[0:41] Richie Grasso: And I'm Richie, and we're thrilled to be your hosts for today's episode. But before we start the conversation about the Tony Awards Predictions for plays, here are a few words from our advertisers.

[0:54] Jeff Malone: Welcome, everyone, to a new episode of Half Hour with Jeff and Richie. Today, we are giving you our Tony Award Predictions for the play category. So everything we talk about, we're going to read the category, we're going to read the nominees, we're going to talk a little bit about what we think. Some of them we agree on, some we don't. We'll take a commercial break midway through, and we'll get you musicals on another episode. But we're going to get you talking all about the plays for this Tony season. So let's dive right in. Best sound design of a play is where we're going to start, okay? Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Oedipus, The Fear of Thirteen, Bug, and Death of a Salesman are the nominees.

[1:26] Richie Grasso: Jeff, what do you think?

[1:27] Jeff Malone: My pick here is going to go to Tom Gibbons for Oedipus. I also think that there could be a potential for Death of a Salesman in here, but I definitely really feel like it's going to Oedipus in my book.

[1:38] Richie Grasso: So I put Death of a Salesman for this. I thought the ambience of the sound in that was just so haunting and really helped create the world that we were in.

[1:47] Jeff Malone: I totally agree with what you were saying about Oedipus as well. I just think there's something about Death of a Salesman to me, and that just haunting ambience sound design that really stuck with me. So that's my gut. I actually really think it could go to either.

[2:01] Richie Grasso: Yeah, I do as well. I mean, I was going back and forth on both of them, but I really feel like, I don't know, there's just something about that clock in Oedipus that really, and the TV sounds that are happening in there. There's just multiple things that really stuck with me from that production.

[2:17] Jeff Malone: Totally, totally. We'll see what happens. All right, where are we off to next?

[2:21] Richie Grasso: Yes, we will. We're going to Best Lighting Design of a Play. We have Dog Day Afternoon, Oedipus, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Bug, The Fear of 13, and Death of a Salesman.

[2:33] Jeff Malone: All right, I'm going again with Death of a Salesman on this, Jack Knowles. I just think, again, haunting, stark lighting, memory flashbacks, the combination of the sound and the lighting together brings me to think that this is going to be the win. I just really think that.

[2:48] Richie Grasso: I as well think that Jack Knowles is going to win for Death of a Salesman in the lighting design of a play here. I mean, there are great designers up here in this category, and I just feel like this is the one that really stood out for me. It really meshed well with the scenic design and helped tell the story with the play, and it just stood out for me.

[3:08] Jeff Malone: Yeah, totally, totally. All right, we're keeping up with the design categories here. We're on to Best Costume Design of a Play, and the nominees are Dog Day Afternoon, Liberation, Fallen Angels, The Ballisters, Joe Turner's Come and Gone.

[3:25] Richie Grasso: This is tough for me. What did you think? Or predict, I should say.

[3:26] Jeff Malone: Yes. Listen, some of you may have already heard us speak about our predictions on Matt Koplik's episode if you've listened to us there, and now you're listening to our predictions here.

[3:35] Richie Grasso: Hey, maybe some of them may have changed.

[3:36] Jeff Malone: Maybe, because every day I feel like I wake up and I'm like, oh, maybe I'm this or this, but in a couple of days we're going to know, right?

[3:42] Richie Grasso: Yes, but one of the things I said on his episode was that Queen Jean is nominated for Costume Design in Liberation and is also nominated for Cats the Jellicle Ball for the musical categories, and we're not talking about the musicals right now, but my reason for picking Queen Jean here for Liberation is that I feel like if Tony voters are going to decide between Queen Jean for Cats the Jellicle Ball and Liberation, I feel like they might select Queen Jean for Liberation, and I thought that those costumes felt so real on the performers in that show that they really stood out for me, and yeah, I think that she is going to win for Liberation.

[4:25] Jeff Malone: I totally see it going that way, too.

[4:27] Richie Grasso: I also could see volleying to Fallen Angels, beautiful costume designs there too.

[4:32] Jeff Malone: The beautiful gowns.

[4:32] Richie Grasso: Yeah, but I love that whole production, too, but Queen Jean for Liberation, I just loved the aesthetic and the design of that show.

[4:39] Jeff Malone: It stuck with me, the visuals of those costumes, and the multiple changes they had of costumes too, so I mean, it could be either of those, but I'm leaning towards Queen Jean, too, as well.

[4:51] Richie Grasso: Yeah.

[4:51] Jeff Malone: For sure.

[4:53] Richie Grasso: All right, and last design category here, best scenic design of a play. We have Oedipus, Bug, Death of a Salesman, Dog Day Afternoon, or Fallen Angels.

[5:01] Jeff Malone: What are you thinking?

[5:03] Richie Grasso: This one was really tough for me because I found that the scenic design of all five of these plays here really were great.

[5:14] Jeff Malone: I think that they helped tell the story.

[5:15] Richie Grasso: I think they worked all as cohesively up there, but there really is something...

[5:22] Jeff Malone: I'm teeter-tottering back and forth on this one because I found the scenic design of Death of a Salesman and the scenic design of Dog Day Afternoon and Fallen Angels to really hit the nail on the head, but there's just something about that scenic design of Dog Day Afternoon and that movement that's happening in there, and they're taking us in and out of the bank robbery that's happening, and it just worked so well.

[5:54] Jeff Malone: I just feel like that's going to take it.

[5:57] Richie Grasso: I kind of agree. There was that huge, epic set of Dog Day Afternoon that was just so daunting. I'm like, wow, look at this, right?

[6:04] Jeff Malone: I totally see that.

[6:06] Richie Grasso: I did also love the Fallen Angels set, David Rockwell's Fallen Angels set.

[6:10] Jeff Malone: David Korins was the Dog Day Afternoon set.

[6:12] Richie Grasso: David Rockwell's Fallen Angels set is just glorious, too.

[6:15] Jeff Malone: All of these, though, could totally take it.

[6:17] Richie Grasso: I am leaning towards Dog Day Afternoon.

[6:20] Jeff Malone: Then I go back and forth too with Chloe Lamford and Death of a Salesman because there's just something about that piece that we're in this almost upside-down purgatory that I said on the podcast when we were talking about Death of a Salesman, and I'm just like, wow, that was a really great vision with that piece.

[6:36] Richie Grasso: It really was.

[6:38] Jeff Malone: I really feel like this could go any way, but I don't know. I'm just leaning toward David Korins' Dog Day Afternoon.

[6:46] Richie Grasso: In general, look, we just talked about all the design categories, and we talked Death of a Salesman a lot, so it's like our gut is leaning towards that with a lot of these. Not all of them, but with that.

[6:55] Jeff Malone: We have Best Direction of a Play.

[6:57] Richie Grasso: And with a big one here before we take a quick break. Best Direction of a Play, we have Giant, Oedipus, The Ballisters, Death of a Salesman, and Liberation.

[7:10] Jeff Malone: Like I just said about Death of a Salesman, I think this is going to Joe Mantello. The vision for this worked. It was just done so well.

[7:18] Richie Grasso: And I think Joe Mantello really knows how to work with actors and designers and present a piece.

[7:24] Jeff Malone: I left Death of a Salesman thinking, wow, was this play written yesterday? And if I can feel that about a play that has been revived many times on Broadway, I just felt like that is the work of the director a lot.

[7:34] Richie Grasso: I 1000% think that Joe Mantello is winning for Death of a Salesman.

[7:40] Jeff Malone: I just think this is direction, and this is what we want to see in a revival of Death of a Salesman as well. A clear vision that's directed and executed really well on the stage, and I think Joe did an amazing job with this production this season.

[7:59] Richie Grasso: Well, there we go. We're halfway there. Let's take a quick break. When we come back, we got some actors, some actresses, and some best play and best revival play thoughts.

[8:07] Jeff Malone: So we'll be right back.

[8:08] Richie Grasso: And we're back. All right, so we're diving in. Let's go to the featured roles for actor and actress, right?

[8:14] Jeff Malone: So let's start with best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play. Betsy Adom, Liberation, Mary Louise Burke, The Ballisters, Aya Cash, Giant, Laurie Metcalf, Death of a Salesman, June Squibb, Marjorie Prime.

[8:27] Richie Grasso: Yeah. I mean, this is a very big category, I think, in my opinion, this season.

[8:35] Jeff Malone: But Laurie Metcalf is the win for me. I just was blown away by her performance in Death of a Salesman.

[8:43] Richie Grasso: So I really think that she's taking the Tony.

[8:47] Jeff Malone: Totally agree. I love seeing June Squibb up here to be nominated at her age. Good for her.

[8:52] Richie Grasso: That's great. There's something about Laurie Metcalf.

[8:55] Jeff Malone: And that performance was riveting to me.

[8:57] Richie Grasso: And the way she just is just, she's so inspiring on stage. And that role is so difficult, too.

[9:02] Jeff Malone: So that's where I'm going with that.

[9:04] Richie Grasso: I think we're kind of on the same page about that.

[9:05] Jeff Malone: Yeah.

[9:06] Richie Grasso: And I mean, they all were amazing performances. But yeah, I just really feel like it's Metcalf's Tony.

[9:12] Jeff Malone: So then we have best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play. We have Christopher Abbott in Death of a Salesman.

[9:18] Richie Grasso: We have Danny Burstein and Marjorie Prime. Brendan J. Durden in Waiting for Godot. We have Eldon Ehrenreich for Becky Shaw. Ruben Santiago-Hudson in Joe Turner's Come and Gone.

[9:29] Jeff Malone: And Richard Thomas in The Ballisters.

[9:31] Richie Grasso: So this one was tough because I could see it going two ways. And I talked about this on Matt's episode.

[10:07] Jeff Malone: Welcome back to Half Hour with Jeff & Richie! Today, we're diving into our predictions for the 2026 Tony Awards, specifically focusing on the play categories.

[10:32] Richie Grasso: That's right, Jeff! We're going to break down each category and share our thoughts on who we think will take home the coveted awards this year.

[11:01] Jeff Malone: Let's start with Best Play. This year, we have some strong contenders, including "Liberation," "Giant," and "The Balusters." Each of these plays has made a significant impact this season.

[11:31] Richie Grasso: Absolutely! "Liberation" has been a standout with its powerful narrative and exceptional performances. I think it has a solid chance of winning.

[12:00] Jeff Malone: I agree, but we can't overlook "Giant." The way it tackles its themes is both unique and thought-provoking. It has garnered a lot of buzz.

[12:28] Richie Grasso: And then there's "The Balusters," which has been praised for its innovative staging and direction. It's definitely a strong contender as well.

[12:58] Jeff Malone: So, if we had to make a prediction, who would you lean towards for Best Play?

[13:21] Richie Grasso: I think I'm going to go with "Liberation." It just feels like the kind of play that resonates with both audiences and critics alike.

[13:51] Jeff Malone: I'm leaning towards "Giant." I believe its emotional depth and storytelling will give it the edge.

[14:10] Richie Grasso: Great choices! Now, moving on to Best Revival. This category is always competitive. What are your thoughts?

[14:40] Jeff Malone: This year, we have revivals like "Death of a Salesman" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." Both are classics that have been reimagined in exciting ways.

[15:07] Richie Grasso: "Death of a Salesman" has received rave reviews, especially for its fresh take on Willy Loman's character. I think it could take the award.

[15:35] Jeff Malone: I can see that. However, "A Streetcar Named Desire" has also been a crowd favorite. The performances have been nothing short of stellar.

[16:02] Richie Grasso: True! If I had to pick, I might go with "Death of a Salesman" for its relevance and the way it connects with today's audience.

[16:32] Jeff Malone: I'm with you on that one. Now, let's talk about the acting categories. Who do you think will shine this year?

[17:01] Richie Grasso: In the Best Actor category, I think we have some heavyweights. The performances in "Liberation" and "Giant" are particularly noteworthy.

[17:29] Jeff Malone: Yes! I believe the lead in "Liberation" has delivered a career-defining performance. It's hard to see anyone else taking that award.

[17:56] Richie Grasso: And for Best Actress, the lead in "The Balusters" has been phenomenal. She brings such depth to her character.

[18:24] Jeff Malone: I agree! It's going to be a tough competition, but I think she has a strong shot at winning.

[18:39] Richie Grasso: Well, there you have it! Those are our predictions for the 2026 Tony Awards play categories. We can't wait to see how it all unfolds!