Tony Awards Nominations 2014: 'A Gentleman's Guide' Leads Nominees; Bryan Cranston, Neil Patrick Harris Get Nods
The Broadway community was abuzz Tuesday morning with the anticipated announcement of the 2014 Tony nominations.
A number of Hollywood A-listers and beloved Broadway darlings were nominated for their inspired performances, including Bryan Cranston and Neil Patrick Harris, USA Today reported.
Robert Schenkkan's "All The Way" is nominated for best new play, which earned Bryan Cranston a nomination for best actor for his portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson. "Casa Valentina," Harvey Fierstein's first play in 30 years, is also nominated, in addition to Terrence McNally's "Mothers and Son," John Patrick Shanley's "Outside Mullingar" and James Lapine's "Act One."
In the category of best new musical, "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" leads the pack with 10 nods, which will compete against other nominees: Disney's "Aladdin"; "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,"; and the Duke Ellington-inspired show "After Midnight."
Cranston will be up against screen actors Chris O'Dowd and Tony Shalhoub for best leading actor in a play, in addition to Mark Rylance and Samuel Barnett. Rylance was nominated twice for his portrayal of the title role in "Richard III" and his role in "Twelfth Night."
Denzel Washington and Daniel Radcliffe were both snubbed in the category, although their performances received rave reviews. Veteran actors Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart were also overlooked for their roles in "Waiting for Godot" and "No Man's Land."
Five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald is up for leading actress in a play for her role in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill," which is a play with music. Her competition includes Cherry Jones, who is the first actress to earn a Tony nomination for playing the role of Amanda Wingfield in Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie."
Idina Menzel is nominated for best actress in a musical for her role in "If/Then," in addition to other Broadway darlings Kelli O'Hara for her role in "The Bridges of Madison County" and Sutton Foster in "Violet." Other nominees include Jessie Mueller ("Beautiful") and Mary Bridget Davies ("A Night With Janis Joplin").
Neil Patrick Harris was nominated for playing the title role in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," which is up for best revival of a musical. His competition includes "A Gentleman's Guide" actors Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham, as well as Ramin Karimloo for his role of Jean Valjean in the revival of "Les Miserables" and Andy Karl as the title character in "Rocky."
The Tony Awards will be hosted live by Hugh Jackman on CBS from New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 8.