Are Kristin Chenoweth and Keanu Reeves Tony-bound? Breaking down the Broadway hits and misses so far this season

This week's episode of Gold Derby's Awards Magnet dives deep into the 2025-26 Tony Awards season, analyzing the first half of the Broadway season ahead of the June 9 ceremony. Host Ethan Alter is joined by Tony experts David Buchanan and Sam Ekman to assess the current landscape, focusing on the surprisingly slim slate of new musicals and the impact of early closures on nomination prospects. Key discussions center on high-profile fall productions like *Queen of Versailles*—a lavish but short-lived revival starring Kristen Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz—whose legacy may hinge on design and acting nominations despite its early closure. In contrast, *Ragtime* and *Chess* are praised for their emotional power and bold reimaginings, with *Chess* benefiting from strong performances and post-opening growth. The episode highlights *Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York* as a potential breakout original musical with heart and a strong original score, positioning it as a dark horse in the Best Musical race. On the play side, *Liberation* emerges as a frontrunner despite closing early, while *Death of a Salesman* and *Bug* are anticipated as major contenders in acting categories, with Laurie Metcalf, Carrie Coon, and Nathan Lane all in the mix. The conversation also humorously addresses the long-shot possibility of Keanu Reeves earning a Tony for *Waiting for Godot*, ultimately concluding that while the production is well-staged, the lead actor category is too competitive for a non-traditional Broadway star to break through.