Billy Elliot Ties Tony Record with 15 Noms!
May 7, 2009 by Jonathan Rosales, GLAAD's Entertainment Media Manager
Elton John woke up to some incredible news on Tuesday as Tony-winning actress Cynthia Nixon helped announce the 2009 Tony nominations, including 15 for the musical adaptation of the GLAAD Media Award- winning film Billy Elliot.
According to the Hollywood Reporter:
The Lee Hall-Elton John musical adaptation of the Stephen Daldry film received a record-tying 15 bids, including ones for best musical, best book (Hall) and best score (Hall and John).
Sir Elton sure can rock a tutu
That means a gay battle for the ages as Elton goes head to head with Dolly Parton (9 to 5: The Musical) for the Original Score Tony.
Also interesting is the fact that the three young actors who share the title role were all nominated as a single entry for Leading Actor in a Musical. They’ll be up against Gavin Creel, the openly gay star of Hair.
Congratulations are also in order for several other out Broadway stars who earned nominations for their stellar work: Christopher Sieber (Shrek the Musical), Raul Esparza
(Speed-the-Plow) and John Glover (Waiting for Godot).
Tune into CBS on Sunday, June 7 to find out who wins!
Don’t forget Hunter Bell (Title of Show), not to mention Lifetime Achievement awardee Jerry Herman – both proudly gay.
[...] show airs June at 8 pm on CBS. As we previously reported, Elton John’s Billy Elliot is up for an incredible 15 Tony [...]