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Outer Critics Circle Awards Predict Tony Award Winners

It's a pretty good barometer of Tony voting: The Outer Critics Circle Awards.

In the interest of full and fair disclosure, I must say I am not a member of the Circle, made up of writers and commentators who cover New York theatre. But the voting turns out to pretty much mirror most of my thoughts, with an exception or two. To see the way the committee voted, click here.

There is no doubt the season's best musical is The Book of Mormon, and no surprise it picks up the Outer Critic's honor.

Mostly on the strength of spectacular theatrical puppetry, War Horse wins best play.

And on the strength of Cole Porter's sentimental standards and some memorable choreography, Anything Goes wins best musical revival. The show also wins a best actress award for Sutton Foster who really belts 'em out.

The biggest surprise may be the best actor in a musical award for Josh Gad in The Book of Mormon. I kind of thought Tony Sheldon would be the sentimental favorite in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
And then there's the man who may be the greatest acting force in theatre today: Mark Rylance in Jerusalem, who edged out Al Pacino for best actor in a drama.

I couldn't agree more with the tie between newcomer Nina Arianda in Born Yesterday and Frances McDormand in Good People for the top actress award. Don't know which of those fine performances in very different roles I would vote for.

The 2011 Tony Award Nominees

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