Tony Awards: Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Kinky Boots’ on top with 13 nominations

NEW YORK -- “Kinky Boots,” the adaptation of the cross-dressing comedy film with a book by Harvey Fierstein and score by Cyndi Lauper, led the pack when Tony Award nominations were announced Tuesday morning, leading all shows with 13 nods.

Among the nominees on for the shortlist for best musical, it was joined by “Matilda,” “Bring It On” and “A Christmas Story.”

“Matilda’s” young stars aren’t eligible for the lead actress Tony Award, with the administration committee disqualifying the rotating group of four, but the show received 12 nominations. The stage adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel has a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

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Premiering at the Ahmanson in 2011, “Bring It On,” with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Kitt and Amanda Green and book by Jeff Whitty, looks at the world of competitive cheerleading; it’s derived from the 2000 comedy film.

The best musical category was rounded out by “A Christmas Story,” the new spin on the 1983 holiday movie with book by Joseph Robinette and score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul,

“Motown: The Musical,” the jukebox musical that’s been critically dissed but has become a commercial hit, was overlooked in the category.

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For its part, “Boots” also received nominations for lead actor, with Stark Sands and Billy Porter each nabbing a spot, featured actress in a musical (Annaleigh Ashford) and assorted other categories including choreography, original score and best direction of a musical.

On the best revival side, director Diane Paulus’ high-flying take on Stephen Schwartz’s “Pippin” is the early front-runner after receiving nine nominations and landing a nod for best revivial of a musical, along with “Annie,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.”

Director James Lapine offered the new iteration of Charles Strouse’s, Martin Charnin’s and Thomas Meehan’s classic orphan tale, “Annie.” Director Scott Ellis took on a new version of Rupert Holmes’ interactive mystery “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel. In “Cinderella,” director Mark Brokaw tackled the classic.

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The decision by the Tony administration committee to classify “Cinderella” as a revival was a controversial one, with some arguing that Douglas Carter Beane’s new take on the tale amounted to an original work.

Presented by the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League, the Tony Awards are to be handed out at a ceremony at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on June 9. The show is to be aired on CBS.

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