Tony Watch 2015: Musical Design Awards

We're going to try to squeeze in three awards into one update: Scenic design, lighting and costume.

Best Scenic Design of a Musical:

The big name to know this year for scenic design is Scott Pask. Pask designed for three shows this year (The Visit, Something Rotten and Finding Neverland) all of which have a solid shot at being nominated. Other contenders include the extravagant On the Twentieth Century (David Rockwell) the new in-the-round design of Fun Home (David Zinn) and maybe even a rare Last Ship sighting (also David Zinn). However, the front runner in this year's competition is Michael Yeargan's production of the King and I. With Lincoln Center's budget and the extravagant nature of the show, Michael Yeargan had a lot to work with, and his sets are truly stunning.

Nomination Odds:
An American in Paris (Bob Crowley): 95%
The King and I (Michael Yeargan): 80%
The Visit (Scott Pask): 60%
Something Rotten (Scott Pask): 60%
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The Last Ship (David Zinn): 50%
On the Twentieth Century (David Rockwell): 39%
Finding Neverland (Scott Pask): 30%
Fun Home (David Zinn): 25%
Gigi (Derek McLane): 13%
Doctor Zhivago (Michael Scott-Mitchell): 4%
It Shoulda Been You (Anna Louizos): 4%
On the Town (Beowulf Boritt): 3%
Side Show (David Rockwell): 2%
Honeymoon in Vegas (Anna Louizos): 2%
Holler If Ya Hear Me (Edward Pierce): 1%

The Last Ship, set design by David Zinn

Best Costume Design of a Musical:

The King and I, this years most likely dominant design musical, leads the pack for costumes as well with Catherine Zuber designing the costumes. However, this competition looks to be closer than in scenic design, with a large number of competitive shows. William Ivey Long, almost perennial Tony nominee, may very well win for On the Twentieth Century. Catherine Zuber's other show Gigi will also be competitive, as will Paul Tazewell's shows Side Show and Doctor Zhivago. Dark Horse contenders include Finding Neverland (Suttirat Larlarb), An American in Paris (Bob Crowley), The Visit (Ann Hould Ward) and Something Rotten! (Gregg Barnes).

Nomination Odds:

The King and I (Catherine Zuber): 80%

On the Twentieth Century (William Ivey Long): 75%

Gigi (Catherine Zuber): 65%

Something Rotten! (Gregg Barnes): 50%
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Side Show (Paul Tazewell): 45%

Doctor Zhivago (Paul Tazewell): 37%

Finding Neverland (Suttirat Larlarb): 30%

An American in Paris (Bob Crowley): 25%

The Visit (Ann Hould Ward): 20%

It Shoulda Been You (William Ivey Long): 3%

Honeymoon in Vegas (Brian Hemesath): 3%

On the Town (Jess Goldstein): 2%

The Last Ship (David Zinn): 1%

Fun Home (David Zinn): 1%

Holler If Ya Hear Me (Reggie Ray): 1%

The King and I, costume design by Catherine Zuber

Best Lighting Design of a Musical:

This is the musical design race that could be the most competitive, specifically between The Visit (Japhy Weideman) and The King and I (Donald Holder). Both shows are very technically dazzling, and look to garner a lot of nominations. Other contenders include An American in Paris (Natasha Katz), Fun Home (Ben Stanton), Gigi (Natasha Katz), The Last Ship (Christopher Akerland), Doctor Zhivago (Howell Binkley) and Finding Neverland (Kenneth Posner)

Nomination Odds:

The Visit (Japhy Weideman): 70%

An American in Paris (Natasha Katz): 69%
Something Rotten (Natasha Katz): 57%

Fun Home (Ben Stanton): 45%

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The King and I (Donald Holder): 40%
Gigi (Natasha Katz): 35%

The Last Ship (Christopher Akerland): 35%

Finding Neverland (Kenneth Posner): 30%

Doctor Zhivago (Howell Binkley): 25%

On the Town (Jason Lyons): 7%

Side Show (Jules Fisher): 5%

On the Twentieth Century: 5%

Holler if Ya Hear Me: 2%

Honeymoon in Vegas: 2%

It Shoulda Been You: 1%