Tue May 27 15:40:00 UTC 2025: **Broadway Buzz: Tony Awards Predictions Heat Up as Road Conference Wraps**

New York, NY – With the 2025 Tony Awards just two weeks away, Gold Derby contributors Sam Eckmann and David Buchanan are offering their insights on who might snag the top acting honors. Fresh off the Broadway League’s Spring Road Conference, a key event for influencing Tony voters, the predictions are taking shape.

Eckmann noted that the conference, aimed at pitching shows for future touring productions, was dominated by parties for frontrunners “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Death Becomes Her,” signaling their strong positions. However, Eckmann believes the emotional “Maybe Happy Ending” still has a slight edge.

**Play Acting Categories Take Center Stage**

The Lead Actor in a Play category seems to be Cole Escola’s to lose for their uproarious performance in “Oh, Mary!” Buchanan stated that Escola is the clear favorite. Eckmann agreed, citing a lack of strong alternatives, though Louis McCartney’s demanding role in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is seen as a potential contender.

In the Lead Actress category, Sarah Snook is predicted to win for “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” While Laura Donnelly (“The Hills of California”) and Sadie Sink (“John Proctor Is the Villain”) have their supporters, Snook’s performance is considered too technically impressive to ignore.

The Featured Actress category is proving to be the most competitive. While Jessica Hecht (“Eureka Day”) was initially seen as the frontrunner, Eckmann is now leaning towards Fina Strazza (“John Proctor Is the Villain”), arguing that the play’s strong reviews and a sense of discovery among voters could propel her to victory. However, Buchanan is betting on Kara Young (“Purpose”), believing voters may want to reward the play and recognize Young’s range, despite her Tony win last year.

Finally, the Featured Actor category pits Conrad Ricamora (“Oh, Mary!”) against Francis Jue (“Yellow Face”). While Ricamora’s portrayal of Abraham Lincoln is highly praised, Jue’s performance in “Yellow Face,” aided by a recent PBS broadcast, is gaining momentum, with voters eager to honor a seasoned stage actor. Buchanan predicts Jue will ultimately take home the trophy.

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