'The Producers' Dominates Nominations for Tony Awards
LAURIN SYDNEY, CNN ANCHOR: What "The Mummy" has done for the box office, "The Producers" is doing for Broadway. The hit Mel Brooks musical dominated the nominations today for the Tony awards. Bill Tush has the story from Broadway.</s>BILL TUSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was no surprise the musical comedy based on Mel Brooks' 1968 film "The Producers" would garner some Tony nominations, but set a record?</s>REBA MCENTIRE: "The Producers" has earned more Tony nominations, 15, than any show in Broadway history.</s>TUSH: Reba McIntyre was joined by Eric McCormack, the Will of TV's "Will & Grace," at Broadway's legendary watering hole, Sardi's, for the announcement of the Tony nominations for 2001. "The Producers" was nominated for Best Musical, and another show based on a film "The Full Monty" also is in the category. A total of 10 nominations went to the musical about a group of unemployed steel workers who form a striptease act. Rounding out the Best Musical category, "A Class Act" and "Jane Eyre." For Best Play, the recently opened August Wilson saga "King Hedly II" is nominated with "The Invention Of Love," "Proof" and "The Tale Of The Allergist's Wife." Gary Sinise is up for Best Actor for his role in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, " which also was nominated as Best Revival Of A Play. Some ladies that are best known for their work in television and film make up the list for Best Leading Actress In A Play: Juliette Binoche, "Betrayal"; Linda Lavin, "The Tale Of The Allergist's Wife"; "Proof"'s Mary-Louise Parker; Jean Smart, "The Man Who Came To Dinner"; and Leslie Uggams for "King Hedley II." Both stars of "The Producers" are nominated for Best Actor in a Musical, Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. They are joined by: Kevin Chamberlin in "Seussical"; Tom Hewitt "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"; and "The Full Monty"'s Patrick Wilson.</s>ERIC MCCORMICK, ACTOR: Best Performance By A Featured Actress In a Musical: Polly Bergen, "Follies;" Kathleen Freeman, "The Full Monty;" Cady Huffman, "The Producers;" Kate Levering, "42nd Street;" Mary Testa, "42nd Street."</s>TUSH: With its record-breaking 15 nominations, the awards ceremony could be "The Producers"' night. One thing is certain: the musical's presence will dominate the night. The stars, Lane and Broderick, are set to host the June 3rd Tony telecast. Bill Tush, CNN entertainment news, New York.