Going for 2013 Tony Gold! Handicapping the Race for Best Musical

It's Tony time on Broadway, and as always, we can't stop thinking about who'll be going for the gold on June 9! In anticipation of the 2013 nominations, which will be announced on April 30, we're clocking 14 of the top races. Take a look at our forecast, including frontrunners, hopefuls and a “shout out” to one performer or show we hope the Tony nominators won’t forget. Below, we kick off our series with a cheat sheet on the race for Best Musical.

FRONTRUNNERS
Kinky Boots
An emotional heart beats beneath the glitz and flash of this eye-popping confection from Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein. Sex is in the heel, and a Best Musical Tony nomination is in the bag for this high-energy crowd-pleaser.

Matilda
Revolting children and rapturous reviews add up to a Tony frontrunner. The question is not will this miracle of a British musical snag a nod in the most coveted category, but how many it will receive overall.

IN THE MIX
Bring It On
This cheerleading musical had wit, pep and amazing acrobatics, but don’t bet your pom-poms on a nod.

A Christmas Story
Heartwarming storytelling and fab tap-dancing could equal a surprise gift for this holiday show.

Hands on a Hardbody
It's already driven into the sunset, so this heartfelt tuner faces a tough road when it comes to nominations.

Motown
Nostalgia and word of mouth buzz seem like the right combo to get this musical cruisin’ to a nomination.


Also possible: Scandalous.

BROADWAY.COM SHOUT OUT
Chaplin
Many critics dismissed this bio-musical about silent screen icon Charlie Chaplin, but it deserves to be remembered for its inventive staging, artsy design and skillful performances.