The New York Times columnist William Grimes published his predictions for the 1997 Tony Awards in his On Stage and Off column May 30, reportedly based on a survey of "a prestigious panel of theatre industry experts." Here are the predictions. He wryly noted that the margin of error is "plus or minus 100 percent": Best Musical: Titanic
Best Play: David Hare's, Skylight
Best Musical Revival: Chicago
Best Play Revival: A Doll's House
Best Actress in a Play: Janet McTeer, A Doll's house
Best Actor in a Play: Christopher Plummer, Barrymore
Best Actress in a Musical: Bebe Neuwirth, Chicago
Best Actor in a Musical: James Naughton, Chicago
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Lillias White, The Life
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Sam Harris, The Life
Best Director of a Musical: Walter Bobbie, Chicago
Best Choreography: Ann Reinking, Chicago
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Lynne Thigpen, An American Daughter
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Owen Teale, A Doll's House
Best Director of a Play: Anthony Page, A Doll's House

-- Compiled by Honey Freilich