Tony Watch 2015: Award for Lead Actress in a Musical

If only all categories could be as simple as the lead performer in a play categories. Wouldn't that make life so much better? In this category, just like last year, there are three women really competing for this award, and any one of them could win it. The nominees are:

Beth Malone (Fun Home)
Chita Rivera (The Visit)
Kelli O'Hara (The King and I)
Kristin Chenoweth (On the Twentieth Century)
Leanne Cope (An American in Paris)

Leanne Cope and Beth Malone are the long shots to win this award. Though both gave strong performances, this category is simply too crowded this year.

The remaining three are some of the biggest names ever on Broadway, making this a tough competition. This is Kelli O'hara's 6th Tony nomination, all within the last 11 years, and she hasn't won yet. The voters may decide she has earned it by now and give her the award for all her years of dedication to broadway. Kristin Chenoweth has won a Tony before, but its been awhile, and many have said that her role in On the 20th Century seems like it was written just for her, because she performs it so well. In addition, she is hosting the Tony awards this year, further ingratiating herself to the Broadway community. And lastly, The Queen of Broadway, Chita Rivera, the 10 time Tony nominee, 2 time Tony winner who is spearheading The Visit. She may face more problems, having won two Tonys already and being in a show that is struggling, but she is so beloved by the Broadway community that she might just get the votes anyway.

With this category, you'd be reasonable picking any of the three front runners, but we have to choose, so here goes.

Tony Odds:

Kristin Chenoweth (On the Twentieth Century): 33%
Chita Rivera (The Visit): 32%
Kelli O'Hara (The King and I): 30%
Beth Malone (Fun Home): 4%
Leanne Cope (An American in Paris): 1%

Kristin Chenoweth in On the Twentieth Century