Neil Patrick Harris was dressed for success, netting a nomination for his turn in 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.' Murder and mutilation are the toast of the Great White Way, with "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" nabbing a Broadway-leading 10 Tony nominations Tuesday with "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" second best with eight.
The nominations for the Edwardian England-set comedy included Best Musical, Director and two noms for Best Actor.
The eight nominations for "Hedwig" included Best Musical Revival and Best Actor for Neil Patrick Harris' portrayal of an East German transgender singer whose botched sex-change operation provides the play's title.
"I am wig over heels in love with playing Hedwig, so this Tony Award nomination is especially meaningful to me," said Harris, lauding his show's fellow nominees, including director Michael Mayer and co-star Lena Hall. "All well-deserving and all very sexy. It's been a crazy exciting morning!"
Other familiar faces — include Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd and Tyne Daly — are up for Broadway's top prize, which will be handed out June 8.
"I feel like my wish was granted," says James Monroe Iglehart, who is up for his featured role as the magical genie in "Aladdin."
Disney's adaptation of its Arabian-flavored animated feature will go against "Gentleman's Guide," "After Midnight," and "Beautiful - the Carole King Musical" what what many consider the top prize on Broadway: best musical.
Several popular shows didn't make that cut: "Bullets Over Broadway," "Rocky," "If/Then" and "The Bridges of Madison County."
Joan Marcus 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' at the Walter Kerr Theater leads the pack with 10 nominations. (Starring from left) Joanna Glushak as Lady Eugenia, Lauren Worsham as Phoebe D'Ysquith, Bryce Pinkham as Monty Navarro, Lisa O'Hare as Sibella Hallward and Jefferson Mays as Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith. 
Joan Marcus Idina Menzel in 'If/Then' wasn't frozen out of a nomination. 
Sutton Foster, left, and Annie Golden in 'Violet.'And the nominators snubbed a who's who of A-listers, including Denzel Washington ("A Raisin in the Sun"), Daniel Radcliffe ("The Cripple of Inishmaan"), Zachary Quinto ("The Glass Menagerie"), Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart ("No Man's Land"/"Waiting for Godot"), Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz ("Betrayal"), James Franco ("Of Mice and Men") and Michelle Williams ("Cabaret").
But the nominees were gushing Tuesday.
"I've never as grateful for a role," said Kelli O'Hara, whose nomination for Best Actress in "Bridges of Madison County" makes her a five-time Tony finalist.
"It's been the most fulfilling role. I know it's a cliche, but getting a nomination is above and beyond."
O'Hara's competition includes Mary Bridget Davies in "A Night with Janis Joplin," "Sutton Foster in "Violet," Idina Menzel in "If/Then," and Jessie Mueller, who channels a home-grown pop icon in "Beautiful - the Carole King Musical."
For Best Actor in a musical, Harris is up against Ramin Karimloo for "Les Miserables," muscular Andy Karl for "Rocky," and Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham for "A Gentleman's Guide."
"It's great to get a nomination," Karl told the Daily News. "My wife has one and now I do, too. I'm proud to do this iconic role and carry the gauntlet for the show."
Five shows are up for Best Play including "Act One," about writer Moss Hart, the LBJ play, "All the Way," "Casa Valentina," a story of straight cross-dressers, "Mothers and Sons," and "Outside Mullingar," a romantic comedy set in Ireland.
The Best Actress in a Play category has a shot to be a history maker. If Audra McDonald, who has already won five Tonys, wins a sixth for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" she'll set a record. McDonald needs to beat out Tyne Daly ("Mothers and Sons"), LaTanya Richardson Jackson ("A Raisin in the Sun"), Cherry Jones ("The Glass Menagerie"), and Estelle Parsons ("The Velocity of Autumn").
The mens' race boasts a mix of familiar and lesser-known faces, including Samuel Barnett for "Twelfth Night," Cranston for "All the Way," O'Dowd for "Of Mice and Men," Mark Rylance for "Richard III" and Tony Shalhoub for "Act One."
"I am beyond thrilled to accept this Tony nomination on behalf of my 'Mice and Men' team," noted O'Dowd, who plays the simpleminded Lennie. "I still haven't gotten over the honor of being given the part, so I'm now a little worried what this new excitement will lead to. Lock up your bunnies!"
The snub of the critically acclaimed Washington was the morning's biggest surprise.
Brigitte Lacombe Snubbed! Denzel Washington (pictured with Sophie Okonedo, who is up for featured actress) was expected to net an nomination for his critically applauded turn in 'A Raisin in the Sun.' Jackson, who plays Lena, the matriarch in "Raisin," expressed delight at her nomination and dismay at the Washington oversight.
"I'm in shock and hurt about Denzel," she told the News.
The best play revival category includes "The Cripple of Inishmaan," "The Glass Menagerie," "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Twelfth Night." All four shows are up for the best director prize, too.
Three shows will vie for best musical revival: "Violet," "Les Miserables" and "Hedwig."
The 68th Tony Awards will be hosted by Hugh Jackman and air on CBS on June 8 from Radio City Music Hall. A full list of nominees is at TonyAwards.com.
jdziemianowicz@nydailynews.com
A full list of nominees is at TonyAwards.com
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Source : http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/tony-awards-nominations-gentleman-guide-love-murder-leads-pack-article-1.1772572
