The best performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical category saw three out of the five spots nabbed by “Hamilton” actors: Daveed Digg, Jonathan Groff and Christopher Jackson.
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Former “Book of Mormon” costars Nikki James and Andrew Rannells announced the nominations early Tuesday for the 2016 Tonys, in a year anticipated to be a sweep for “Hamilton”.
The musical, which opened on Broadway last August, tells the story of Alexander Hamilton but it resonates far more deeply, telling a story of race, immigration and national identity.
The nominations also threw into sharp relief the diversity of artists represented.
Previous record-holders The Producers and Billy Elliot only managed to scrape together a mere 15 nods apiece.
“The Producers” holds the record for most Tony Award wins with 12.
“Hamilton” is the wide favorite to take home the best musical prize – it will compete against “Bright Star”, “School of Rock – The Musical”, “Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed” and “Waitress”.
Tickets for the show are sold out for the foreseeable future – but can go for hundreds of dollars each on resale websites.
Williams’ co-star Jeff Daniel was nominated as best actor, along with Frank Langella for “The Father“, Tim Pigott-Smith for “King Charles III” and Mark Strong in “A View from the Bridge“.
Among the nominees is 25-year-old Phillipa Soo, nominated for Best Leading Actress.
Lin Manuel-Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr., who play rivals Hamilton and Burr respectively, are in the best leading actor in a musical category.
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The 70th Annual Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will be broadcast live on CBS June 12 from the Beacon Theatre beginning at 8 PM ET.
