Tony Watch 2016: Featured Performers in a Musical

Since the Tony awards released their first of four lists deciding the eligibility of this season's Broadway shows, The Broadway Beat is doing a Tony Watch segment for the major awards covering the first quarter of the season.

While the first quarter was low on featured performers in plays, it has had a plethora of featured performers in musicals. a few of the season front runners for the award have already performed, thanks to the new musical Hamilton. But does anyone else from this first quarter even stand a chance?

Featured Actor in a Musical:

While the first quarter has seen a decent amount of featured actor in a musical candidates, only one is a real Tony threat, and that's Daveed Diggs. After getting raves in Hamilton, Diggs is all but a lock for the nomination, and the front runner for the Tony.

Current Prediction:

1. Daveed Diggs - Hamilton

2. Christopher Jackson - Hamilton

3. Jonathan Groff - Hamilton

4. Chuck Cooper - Amazing Grace

5. Tom Hewitt - Amazing Grace

A few upcoming performances to look out for:

Billy Porter - Shuffle Along

Gavin Creel - She Loves Me

Terrence Mann- Tuck Everlasting

Brian Stokes Mitchell - Shuffle Along

Roger Bart - Disaster!

Brandon Victor Dixon - Shuffle Along

Michael K. Lee - Allegiance

George Takei - Allegiance

Joshua Henry - Shuffle Along

Adam Pascal - Disaster!

Daveed Diggs and the Hamilton ensemble

Featured Actress in a Musical:

Similar to the actor category, we may have already seen the Tony winner for featured actress in a musical. Renee Elise Goldsberry is the likely frontrunner for the award. However unlike the other categories, we've seen another performance already this season that might earn a nomination. Lesli Margherita is the one lifesaver in the current revival of Dames at Sea, and her performance might just nab her a Tony nod.

Current Prediction:

1. Renee Elise Goldsberry - Hamilton

2. Lesli Margherita - Dames at Sea

3. Andrea Burns - On Your Feet!

4. Alma Cuervo - On Your Feet!

5. Krysta Rodriguez - Spring Awakening

A few upcoming performances to look out for:

Jennifer Hudson - The Color Purple

Keala Settle - Waitress

Alice Ripley - American Psycho

Jane Krakowski - She Loves Me

Jessica Hecht - Fiddler on the Roof

Kerry Butler - Disaster!

Jennifer Damiano - American Psycho

Carolee Carmello - Tuck Everlasting

Renee Elise Goldsberry in Hamilton