2009 Laurence Olivier Award Nominations AnnouncedTerry Johnson's well-reviewed and well-received West End revival of
La Cage Aux Folles has received 7 nods as the 2009
Laurence Olivier Award nominations were announced. This marks the second year in a row that a show with a
Harvey Fierstein association earned the most nominations (
Hairspray broke records last year with 11 nominations in all).
Gone is last year's one-time-only category of "Best Newcomer in a Play." Taking its place is a category I only wish the Tony Administration Committee would seriously consider: "Best Company Performance" to recognize ensembles that are running on all cylinders. Returning after a hiatus is the category of "Best Entertainment."
Other noteworthy news is that only two
new tuners were nominated in the "Best New Musical" category:
Jersey Boys and
Zorro. Each show earned five nominations.
American export
August: Osage County earned three nods, including for "Best New Play,"
Deanna Dunagan and its Chicago-centric ensemble.
Two actors I'm particularly pleased to see receive very well-deserved recognition are
Elena Roger for her breathtaking performance in
Piaf and
Adam Godley for his brilliant turn in
Rain Man. Both made their otherwise
mediocre shows worth seeing. Given all the accolades for
La Cage Aux Folles, I only wish I had taken the
West End Whingers' unequivocal advice and seen that production last November.
Nominees include:
Best ActressDeanna Dunagan,
August: Osage CountyLindsay Duncan,
That FaceMargaret Tyzack,
The Chalk GardenPenelope Wilton,
The Chalk GardenBest ActorDavid Bradley,
No Man's Land Michael Gambon,
No Man's LandAdam Godley,
Rain Man Derek Jacobi,
Twelfth NightBest Performance In A Supporting RoleOliver Ford Davies,
HamletKevin R McNally,
Ivanov Paul Ritter,
The Norman ConquestsPatrick Stewart,
Hamlet Best Company PerformanceAugust: Osage County, directed by Anna D. Shapiro
Black Watch, directed by John Tiffany
The Histories, directed by Michael Boyd
The Norman Conquests, directed by Matthew Warchus
Sunset Boulevard, directed by Craig Revel Horwood
Best New PlayAugust: Osage County by Tracy Letts
Black Watch by Gregory Burke
The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall
That Face by Polly Stenham
Best New ComedyFat Pig by Neil LaBute
The Female of the Species by Joanna Murray-Smith
God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton
Best RevivalThe Chalk Garden, directed by Michael Grandage
The Histories, directed by Michael Boyd
The Norman Conquests, directed by Matthew Warchus
Best EntertainmentNoel Coward's
Brief EncounterLa CliqueMaria Friedman: Re-ArrangedBest New MusicalJersey Boys, book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe
Zorro, book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, music by The Gipsy Kings, original story by Stephen Clark & Helen Edmundson, music co-composed and adapted by John Cameron
Best Musical RevivalLa Cage Aux Folles, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Harvey Fierstein
Piaf by Pam Gems
Sunset Boulevard, book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton
West Side Story, based on a conception by Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Best Actress In A MusicalSofia Escobar,
West Side StoryKathryn Evans,
Sunset BoulevardRuthie Henshall,
MargueriteElena Roger,
Piaf Emma Williams,
ZorroBest Actor In A MusicalDouglas Hodge,
La Cage Aux FollesDenis Lawson,
La Cage Aux FollesRyan Molloy,
Jersey BoysMatt Rawle,
ZorroBest Performance In A Supporting Role In A MusicalAlexander Hanson,
MargueriteKatherine Kingsley,
PiafLesli Margherita,
ZorroJason Pennycooke,
La Cage Aux FollesDave Willetts,
Sunset BoulevardBest DirectorTerry Johnson,
La Cage Aux FollesDes McAnuff,
Jersey BoysEmma Rice,
Brief EncounterJohn Tiffany,
Black WatchBest Theatre ChoreographerRafael Amargo,
ZorroSteven Hoggett,
Black WatchLynne Page,
La Cage Aux FollesKate Prince,
Into the HoodsSergio Trujillo,
Jersey BoysBest Lighting DesignPaule Constable,
The Chalk GardenPaule Constable,
IvanovNeil Austin,
No Man's LandNeil Austin,
PiafBest Set DesignTodd Rosenthal,
August: Osage CountyNeil Murray (projections by Gemma Carrington and Jon Driscoll),
Brief EncounterTom Piper,
The HistoriesSoutra Gilmour,
The Lover And The CollectionPaul Brown,
MargueriteBest Costume DesignTom Piper and Emma Williams,
The HistoriesMatthew Wright,
La Cage Aux FollesRob Howell,
The Norman ConquestsChristopher Oram,
Twelfth NightBest Sound DesignGareth Fry,
Black WatchSimon Baker,
Brief EncounterSteven Canyon Kennedy,
Jersey BoysChristopher Shutt, Max Ringham & Ben Ringham,
PiafOutstanding Achievement In An Affiliate TheatreThe ensemble cast of
Oxford Street (Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court) T
he Royal Court Theatre's production of
The Pride (Jerwood Theatre Upstairs)
Clive Rowe for his performance in
Mother Goose (Hackney Empire)
Jo Newbery for the design of
Scarborough (Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court)
Best New Opera ProductionThe Royal Opera's
Don CarloThe Royal Opera's
The MinotaurEnglish National Opera's
I PagliacciEnglish National Opera's
PartenopeOutstanding Achievement In OperaPatricia Bardon for her performances in The Royal Opera's
The Rake's Progress and in English National Opera's
Partenope and
Riders To The SeaFeruccio Furlanetto for his performance in the Royal Opera's
Don CarloEd Gardner for conducting English National Opera's
Boris Godunov,
Cavalliera Rusticana,
Der Rosenkavalier,
I Pagliacci,
Riders To The Sea and
Punch And JudyChristine Rice for her performances in the Royal Opera's
The Minotaur and English National Opera's
PartenopeBest New Dance ProductionPina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal's
Café Muller/The Rite Of SpringThe Royal Ballet of Flanders'
Impressing The CzarThe Royal Ballet's
InfraDV8's
To Be Straight With YouOutstanding Achievement In DanceThe company of the Royal Ballet of Flanders for their performances in
Impressing The CzarThe company of the The Royal Ballet for their performances in
InfraSavion Glover, Marshall Davis, Jr. and Maurice Chestnut for their performances in
Bare SoundzEstablished in 1976, the Laurence Olivier Awards are widely regarded as London theatre's most prestigious awards in London theatre. It was in 1984 that
Lord Laurence Olivier agreed to have his name associated with the honor.
The bronzed Laurence Olivier Awards, designed by sculptor Harry Franchetti to represent Olivier in his role as
Henry V, will be presented at a ceremony held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Sunday, March 8, 2009.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: August Osage County, Jersey Boys, La Cage Aux Folles, Laurence Olivier, London, Olivier Award Nominations, Piaf, Rain Man, Zorro
Hairspray Gels With Olivier VotersWhile
Hairspray was this year's most celebrated product on London's West End -- earning three of the
Laurence Olivier honors for acting, along with the top musical prize -- two classics (
Macbeth and
Saint Joan) and a
new War Horse were among the big winners at last night's "glamorous ceremony" at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
Named for the iconic actor who was arguably
the greatest actor of the 20th Century, the Oliviers rank as
the most prestigious award bestowed on London's theatre community, as well as for dance and opera.
William Shakespeare's
Macbeth revival was feted for
Rupert Goold's bloody-good direction and
Howard Harrison's lighting design, yet it lost out to
Saint Joan for Best Revival honors. The latter also won for the sound design by
Paul Arditti and Jocelyn Pook.
Additionally, the Indian-themed
Rafta Rafta earned the Olivier for Best New Comedy, while
Simon McBurney's
A Disappearing Number took home a Larry for Best New Play.
Meanwhile,
War Horse trotted off with awards for Toby Sedgewick's choreography and the set design by
Rae Smith and Handspring Puppet Company.
The full list of nominees are below with winners highlighted in
red:
Best ActressAnne-Marie Duff,
Saint JoanKelly Reilly,
OthelloKristin Scott Thomas, The SeagullFiona Shaw,
Happy DaysPenelope Wilton,
John Gabriel BorkmanBest ActorChiwetel Ejiofor, Othello
Ian McKellen,
King LearMark Rylance,
Boeing-BoeingJohn Simm,
EllingPatrick Stewart,
MacbethBest Performance In A Supporting RoleMichelle Fairley,
OthelloPam Ferris,
The EntertainerConleth Hill,
The PhilistinesRory Kinnear, The Man Of Ode
Best Newcomer In A Play*David Dawson, The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas NicklebyTom Hiddleston, Cymbeline
Tom Hiddleston, Othello
Stephen Wight, Dealer's ChoiceBest New PlaySimon McBurney, A Disappearing Number
Nicholas Wright,
The ReporterDBC Pierre (Adaptation by Tanya Ronder),
Vernon God LittleMichael Morpurgo (Adaptation by Nick Stafford),
War HorseBest New ComedyMichael Frayn,
Absurdia: The Crimson HotelAxel Hellstenius' stage adaptation in collaboration with Peter Næss, translated by Nicholas Norris, adapted by Simon Bent (based on a novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen),
EllingAyub Khan-Din (based on "All In Good Time" by Bill Naughton), Rafta Rafta
Steve Thompson,
Whipping It UpBest RevivalMarc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross,
Boeing-BoeingPatrick Marber,
Dealer's ChoiceWilliam Shakespeare,
MacbethBernard Shaw, Saint Joan
Anton Chekhov, in a version by Christopher Hampton,
The SeagullBest New MusicalMusic and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar,
The Drowsy ChaperoneMusic by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray
Music by AR Rahman, Värttinä with Christopher Nightingale, book and lyrics by Shauna McKenna and Matthew Warchus,
The Lord Of The RingsMusic and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, book by Alfred Uhry, co-conceived by Harold Prince,
ParadeBest Musical RevivalMusic by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Stein,
Fiddler On THe RoofMusic by Alan Menken, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman,
Little Shop Of HorrorsMusic and words by Mandisi Dyantyis, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane and Nolufefe
Mtshabe, adapted from Mozart by Mark Dornford-May, The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo
Best Actress In A MusicalLeanne Jones, Hairspray
Lara Pulver,
ParadeSheridan Smith,
Little Shop Of HorrorsSummer Strallen,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Actor In A MusicalMichael Ball, Hairspray
Bertie Carvel,
ParadeHenry Goodman,
Fiddler On The RoofBob Martin,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Performance In A Supporting Role In A MusicalTracie Bennett, Hairspray
Elinor Collett,
HairsprayShaun Escoffery,
ParadeAlistair McGowan,
Little Shop Of HorrorsBest DirectorRob Ashford,
ParadeMarianne Elliott and Tom Morris,
War HorseRupert Goold, MacBeth
Jack O’Brien,
HairsprayBest Theatre ChoreographerRob Ashford,
ParadeJerry Mitchell,
HairsprayCasey Nicholaw,
The Drowsy ChaperoneToby Sedgwick, War Horse
Best Lighting DesignKenneth Posner,
HairsprayPaul Pyant,
The Lord Of The RingsHoward Harrison, Macbeth
Paule Constable,
War HorseBest Set DesignDavid Rockwell,
HairsprayRob Howell,
The Lord Of The RingsAnthony Ward and Lorna Heavey,
MacBethRae Smith and Handspring Puppet Company, War Horse
Best Costume DesignGregg Barnes,
The Drowsy ChaperoneWilliam Ivey Long,
HairsprayRob Howell,
The Lord Of The RingsVicki Mortimer, The Man Of ModeBest Sound DesignSteve C. Kennedy,
HairspraySimon Baker,
The Lord Of The RingsTerry Jardine and Nick Lidster for Autograph,
ParadePaul Arditti with music by Jocelyn Pook, Saint Joan
Christopher Shutt with music by Adrian Sutton and John Tams,
War HorseOutstanding Achievement In An Affiliate TheatreThe Brothers Size at the Maria, Young Vic
Cinderella at Theatre Royal, Stratford East
Gone Too Far at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
The cast of
That Face at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
Best New Opera ProductionEnglish National Opera’s
Agrippina at the London Coliseum
The Royal Opera’s
La Fille Du Regiment at the Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera’s Pelléas et Mélisande at the Royal Opera House
English National Opera’s
Turn Of The Screw at the London Coliseum
Outstanding Achievement In OperaNatalie Dessay (performance), La Fille Du RegimentGerald Finley (performance),
Pelleas Et MelisandeAngelika Kirchschlager (performance),
Pelleas Et MelisandeDavid McVicar (direction),
Turn Of The Screw and
AgrippinaBest New Dance ProductionFabulous Beast Dance’s
The Bull at the Barbican
The Royal Ballet’s Jewels at the Royal Opera House
Mark Morris Dance Group’s
Mozart Dances at the Barbican
Northern Ballet Theatre’s
The Three Musketeers at Sadler’s Wells
Outstanding Achievement In DanceSavion Glover (performance),
Live In LondonJonathan Goddard (performances) with the Richard Alston Dance Company
The Royal Ballet Company (performances), Jewels
Wendy Whelan (performance), The Christopher Wheeldon Company’s
Fool's ParadiseWhile the acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning
Macbeth has already been announced for a strictly limited 63 performance Broadway transfer beginning later this month, look for New York producers to mine the success of currently little-known shows like
A Disappearing Number,
Rafta Rafta and
War Horse for possible stateside berths.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:2008 Laurence Olivier Award Nominations Announced (February 6, 2008)
Sunday At The Grosvenor House With Laurence (February 19, 2007)
Laurence Olivier Award Nominations Announced (January 18, 2007)
Labels: A Disappearing Number, Hairspray, Laurence Olivier, London, Olivier Award Nominations, Olivier Awards, Rafta Rafta, Saint Joan, War Horse, William Shakespeare
2008 Laurence Olivier Award Nominations AnnouncedWhile its trans-Atlantic journey seemed to take forever,
Hairspray was clearly worth the wait as London's West End incarnation of the Broadway hit earned a record 11
Laurence Olivier Award nominations.
Named for the iconic actor who was arguably
the greatest thespian of the 20th Century bar none, the Oliviers rank as
the most prestigious award bestowed on London's theatre community, as well as for dance and opera. The nominations for the 2008 Laurence Olivier Awards were announced today and winners will be announced at a March 9 "glamorous ceremony" at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
While the
big story is
Hairspray, the other noteworthy news is just how well the Bard has fared on the boards of London over the past year. With revivals of his
Othello,
King Lear,
Macbeth and
Cymbeline together earning a whopping 11 nominations, William Shakespeare still rules supreme over British theatre.
The other news is that unlike last year, an Olivier Award will be provided in the category of "Best Newcomer In A Play," and what had been billed last year as the "Outstanding Musical Production" becomes "Best Revival of a Musical" this year.
Nominees include:
Best ActressAnne-Marie Duff,
Saint JoanKelly Reilly,
OthelloKristin Scott Thomas,
The SeagullFiona Shaw,
Happy DaysPenelope Wilton,
John Gabriel BorkmanBest ActorChiwetel Ejiofor,
OthelloIan McKellen,
King LearMark Rylance,
Boeing-BoeingJohn Simm,
EllingPatrick Stewart,
MacbethBest Performance In A Supporting RoleMichelle Fairley,
OthelloPam Ferris,
The EntertainerConleth Hill,
The PhilistinesRory Kinnear,
The Man Of OdeBest Newcomer In A Play*David Dawson, The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas NicklebyTom Hiddleston, CymbelineTom Hiddleston, OthelloStephen Wight, Dealer's ChoiceBest New PlaySimon McBurney,
A Disappearing NumberNicholas Wright,
The ReporterDBC Pierre (Adaptation by Tanya Ronder),
Vernon God LittleMichael Morpurgo (Adaptation by Nick Stafford),
War HorseBest New ComedyMichael Frayn,
Absurdia: The Crimson HotelAxel Hellstenius' stage adaptation in collaboration with Peter Næss, translated by Nicholas Norris, adapted by Simon Bent (based on a novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen),
EllingAyub Khan-Din (based on "All In Good Time" by Bill Naughton),
Rafta RaftaSteve Thompson,
Whipping It UpBest RevivalMarc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross,
Boeing-BoeingPatrick Marber,
Dealer's ChoiceWilliam Shakespeare,
MacbethBernard Shaw,
Saint JoanAnton Chekhov, in a version by Christopher Hampton,
The SeagullBest New MusicalMusic and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar,
The Drowsy ChaperoneMusic by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan,
HairsprayMusic by AR Rahman, Värttinä with Christopher Nightingale, book and lyrics by Shauna McKenna and Matthew Warchus,
The Lord Of The RingsMusic and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, book by Alfred Uhry, co-conceived by Harold Prince,
ParadeBest Musical RevivalMusic by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Stein,
Fiddler On THe RoofMusic by Alan Menken, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman,
Little Shop Of HorrorsMusic and words by Mandisi Dyantyis, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane and Nolufefe Mtshabe, adapted from Mozart by Mark Dornford-May,
The Magic Flute - Impempe YomlingoBest Actress In A MusicalLeanne Jones,
HairsprayLara Pulver,
ParadeSheridan Smith,
Little Shop Of HorrorsSummer Strallen,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Actor In A MusicalMichael Ball,
HairsprayBertie Carvel,
ParadeHenry Goodman,
Fiddler On The RoofBob Martin,
The Drowsy ChaperoneBest Performance In A Supporting Role In A MusicalTracie Bennett,
HairsprayElinor Collett,
HairsprayShaun Escoffery,
ParadeAlistair McGowan,
Little Shop Of HorrorsBest DirectorRob Ashford,
ParadeMarianne Elliott and Tom Morris,
War HorseRupert Goold,
MacBethJack O’Brien,
HairsprayBest Theatre ChoreographerRob Ashford,
ParadeJerry Mitchell,
HairsprayCasey Nicholaw,
The Drowsy ChaperoneToby Sedgwick,
War HorseBest Lighting DesignKenneth Posner,
HairsprayPaul Pyant,
The Lord Of The RingsHoward Harrison,
MacbethPaule Constable,
War HorseBest Set DesignDavid Rockwell,
HairsprayRob Howell,
The Lord Of The RingsAnthony Ward and Lorna Heavey,
MacBethRae Smith and Handspring Puppet Company,
War HorseBest Costume DesignGregg Barnes,
The Drowsy ChaperoneWilliam Ivey Long,
HairsprayRob Howell,
The Lord Of The RingsVicki Mortimer,
The Man Of ModeBest Sound DesignSteve C. Kennedy,
HairspraySimon Baker,
The Lord Of The RingsTerry Jardine and Nick Lidster for Autograph,
ParadePaul Arditti with music by Jocelyn Pook,
Saint JoanChristopher Shutt with music by Adrian Sutton and John Tams,
War HorseOutstanding Achievement In An Affiliate TheatreThe Brothers Size at the Maria, Young Vic
Cinderella at Theatre Royal, Stratford East
Gone Too Far at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
The cast of
That Face at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
Best New Opera ProductionEnglish National Opera’s
Agrippina at the London Coliseum
The Royal Opera’s
La Fille Du Regiment at the Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera’s
Pelleas Et Melisande at the Royal Opera House
English National Opera’s
Turn Of The Screw at the London Coliseum
Outstanding Achievement In OperaNatalie Dessay (performance),
La Fille Du RegimentGerald Finley (performance),
Pelleas Et MelisandeAngelika Kirchschlager (performance),
Pelleas Et MelisandeDavid McVicar (direction),
Turn Of The Screw and
AgrippinaBest New Dance ProductionFabulous Beast Dance’s
The Bull at the Barbican
The Royal Ballet’s
Jewels at the Royal Opera House
Mark Morris Dance Group’s
Mozart Dances at the Barbican
Northern Ballet Theatre’s
The Three Musketeers at Sadler’s Wells
Outstanding Achievement In DanceSavion Glover (performance),
Live In LondonJonathan Goddard (performances) with the Richard Alston Dance Company
The Royal Ballet Company (performances),
JewelsWendy Whelan (performance), The Christopher Wheeldon Company’s
Fool's ParadiseStay tuned one month from now for the full list of winners.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:Sunday At The Grosvenor House With Laurence (February 19, 2007)
Laurence Olivier Award Nominations Announced (January 18, 2007)
Labels: Hairspray, Laurence Olivier, London, Olivier Award Nominations, Olivier Awards, William Shakespeare
May Requiem For Evita In London
After
Evita opened at London's
Adelphi Theatre last June 21, most U.K. critics heaped praise upon the show's native Argentine star
Elena Roger. The actress even earned an Olivier Award nomination for her turn as Eva Peron. However, like the other three nominations the show received, she failed to win the award.
Barely a week after
Evita opened last summer,
word began to spread that plans were in the works to bring the revival to Broadway. But with the revival not even lasting an entire year, perhaps those pronouncements were premature, if not pure hype.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Labels: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Broadway, Closing Notices, Evita, London, Musical, Olivier Award Nominations, Revival, Tim Rice
Laurence Olivier Award Nominations Announced
Named for the man who was arguably
the greatest actor of the 20th Century bar none, the Oliviers rank as
the most prestigious award bestowed on London's theatre community, as well as for dance and opera.
The nominations for the 2007 Laurence Olivier Awards were announced yesterday and winners will be announced the evening of Sunday, February 18 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
Nominees include:
Best Actress
Eve Best, A Moon For The Misbegotten
Sinead Cusack, Rock 'N' Roll
Tamsin Greig, Much Ado About Nothing
Kathleen Turner, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Best Actor
Iain Glen, The Crucible
David Haig, Donkey's Years
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Rufus Sewell, Rock 'N' Roll
Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon
Best Performance In A Supporting Role
Samantha Bond, Donkey's Years
Deborah Findlay, The Cut
Mark Hadfield, Thérèse Raquin
Colm Meaney, A Moon For The Misbegotten
Jim Norton, The Seafarer
Best New Play
David Harrower, Blackbird
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Tom Stoppard, Rock 'N' Roll
Conor McPherson, The Seafarer
Best New Comedy
Patrick Barlow (Adaptation from original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, John Buchan's The 39 Steps
Patrick Marber after Molière, Don Juan In Soho
John Kolvenbach, Love Song
Best Revival
Arthur Miller, The Crucible
Michael Frayn, Donkey's Years
Eugene O'Neill, A Moon For The Misbegotten
Edward Albee, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Best New Musical
Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Music and Lyrics) and Jeff Whitty (Book), Avenue Q
Tony Kushner (Book and Lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (Music), Caroline, Or Change
Eric Idle (Book, Lyrics and Music) and John Du Prez (Music), Monty Python's Spamalot
George Gershwin, Dubose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin, The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess
Outstanding Musical Production
Joe Masteroff (Book), John Kander (Music) and Fred Ebb (Lyrics), Cabaret
Tim Rice (Lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music), Evita
Richard Rodgers (Music), Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics) and Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse (Book), The Sound Of Music
Stephen Sondheim (Music and Lyrics) and James Lapine (Book), Sunday In The Park With George
Best Actress In A Musical
Nicola Hughes, The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess
Tonya Pinkins, Caroline, Or Change
Elena Roger, Evita
Jenna Russell, Sunday In The Park With George
Hannah Waddingham, Monty Python's Spamalot
Best Actor In A Musical
Tim Curry, Monty Python's Spamalot
Daniel Evans, Sunday In The Park With George
Clarke Peters, The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess
Philip Quast, Evita
Best Performance In A Supporting Role In A Musical
Anna Francolini, Caroline, Or Change
Tom Goodman-Hill, Monty Python's Spamalot
Sheila Hancock, Cabaret
Summer Strallen, The Boy Friend
Best Director
Sam Buntrock, Sunday In The Park With George
Dominic Cooke, The Crucible
Joe Mantello, Wicked
Best Theatre Choreographer
Rob Ashford, Evita
Javier De Frutos, Cabaret
Bill Deamer, The Boy Friend
Stephen Mear, Sinatra
Best Lighting Design
Jean Kalman, The Crucible
Hugh Vanstone, Monty Python's Spamalot
Natasha Chivers and Mike Robertson, Sunday In The Park With George
Neil Austin, Thérèse Raquin
Kenneth Posner, Wicked
Best Set Design
Tim Hatley, Monty Python's Spamalot
David Farley and Timothy Bird, Sunday In The Park With George
Eugene Lee, Wicked
Best Costume Design
Tim Hatley, Monty Python's Spamalot
Alison Chitty, The Voysey Inheritance
Susan Hilferty, Wicked
Best Sound Design
Mic Pool, John Buchan's The 39 Steps
Ian Dickinson, Rock 'N' Roll
Gareth Fry, Waves
Outstanding Achievement In An Affiliate Theatre
Pied Piper at Theatre Royal, Stratford EastTheatre Royal, Stratford East for a powerful season of provocative work, reaching new audiences
Love And Money at the Maria, Young Vic
Roy Dotrice for his performance in The Best Of Friends at the Hampstead
Best New Opera Production
English National Opera's Jenůfa at the London Coliseum
English National Opera's The Makropulos Case at the London Coliseum
English National Opera's Orfeo at the London Coliseum
Opera North's Peter Grimes at Sadler's Wells
Outstanding Achievement In Opera
John Mark Ainsley, Orfeo
Joyce DiDonato, Hercules
Amanda Roocroft, Jenůfa
John Tomlinson, Götterdämmerung
Best New Dance Production
The Royal Ballet's The Sleeping Beauty
Kabuki Fuji Musume & Kasane
The Royal Ballet's DGV
The Royal Ballet's Chroma
Outstanding Achievement In Dance
Steven McRae, Homage To The Queen and Chroma
Carlos Acosta for his programme of work and his performances at Sadler's Wells
Marianela Nunez, Chroma and The Sleeping Beauty and in Carlos Acosta's programme at Sadler's Wells
Wayne McGregor for his choreography, Chroma
At first blush, there appeared to be some bias against American offerings that have migrated across the pond. Actors Bill Irwin (Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?) and Idina Menzel (Wicked) were both snubbed, despite having won Tonys for the sames roles they've recreated on the West End. Also, despite all the critical acclaim for Kevin Spacey's production of A Moon For The Misbegotten, as well as nominations, Spacey himself did not receive a nod.
However, after a closer look, American-made productions like Avenue Q, Caroline, Or Change, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? and even -- dare I say -- Monty Python's Spamalot, fared fairly well, collectively earning a total of thirteen Olivier nominations; the last received six nods.
Although Menzel was overlooked, Wicked earned four nominations, including for its director Joe Mantello. Even playwright John Kolvenbach was nominated for Love Song in the Best New Play category. And lest I forget, Frank Langella received a nod for his portrayal of Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon, while Floridian Rob Ashford was nominated for his choreography on Evita.
Finally, with so many nominated classics originating from playwrights and composers on the west "side" of the pond, one could argue that Americans have done quite well in this year's Oliviers. Not bad considering all the excellent homegrown fare the British have exported to the U.S.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for information on how to win two tickets to this closed-door gala. Labels: Laurence Olivier, London, Musical, Olivier Award Nominations, Olivier Awards, Play, Revival
