God of Carnage, the favorite for Best Play, features showy performances (by James Gandolfini, among others) but simplistic playwriting. Next to Normal, about a family dealing with Mom's bipolar illness, is a dark-horse Tony challenger to Billy Elliot for Best Musical, but I found it draggy and unappetizing. And Rock of Ages, a witless tribute to '80s rock, may not win any Tonys, but it's a dishonor just to see it nominated.