So Tony nominations are out!! They've been out for a week or so, but this is the first chance I've had to write about them. I LOVE the Tony Awards. I sort of pay attention to the Academy Awards, but I don't watch any others. For the most part, I am an award show monogamist.

I only know a few of the nominated performers. The nominee I am most familiar with and the one I am most rooting for is Patti LuPone. This woman is incredible. I think of her as our generation's Ethel Merman. She too has a very big, very distinctive voice. And she's done some similar roles. Actually, she is nominated for playing Mama Rose in Gypsy, a role originated by Merman.

She was the original Evita, and won a Tony for that in 1980, she was nominated two years ago for her Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and a few others. Stephanie and I also know her from a special performance of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, where she was amazing as the Old Lady. She was a mysterious woman with a drama-filled past and a single buttock.

Kelli O'Hara is nominated for playing Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. I like her because she seems nice and has a good voice. I know her already from A Light in the Piazza. Her co-star in both shows is Matthew Morrison, who is quite talented and easy on the eyes. She also starred with Harry Connick, Jr. in the revival of The Pajama Game. She was nominated for both shows.

Laura Benanti is nominated for playing Louise in Gypsy. She has only just recently come to my attention for starring as Julia in the musical version of The Wedding Singer. I actually really love that musical now; it is so much fun. She was nominated back in 2002 for playing Cinderella in the revival of Into the Woods.

I do have to mention Raúl Esparza, who is nominated for the play The Homecoming. I don't usually pay as much attention to the plays, but he starred in tick, tick...BOOM!, which I absolutely love and love him in, so I will be rooting for him. He's been nominated before for Company and Taboo, but hasn't won.

Though I don't know her as well, I want to mention Faith Prince. She is nominated for A Catered Affair. She played Adelaide in the 1992 version of Guys and Dolls. I have that soundtrack too and she does a great job; I guess she won a Tony for that performance too.

Tom Wopat is also nominated for A Catered Affair. I only know his name because he played Frank Butler to Bernadette Peter's Annie in the revival of Annie Get Your Gun in 1999 and was nominated for it. I have that soundtrack, and he has a nice voice.

Now about the shows themselves. The nominees for Best Musical are Cry-Baby, In the Heights, Passing Strange and Xanadu. Xanadu is a movie I've never seen. I've seen Cry-Baby; it's strange too, but does star Johnny Depp as the title character. I know nothing at all about the other two, But I've read very good things about In the Heights. I have no clue which will win.

The Best Revival nominees are more familiar to me. Grease is nominated, and though it's not my favorite, I believe it stars the winners of that TV show. Gypsy, Patti's show, is nominated. I know a few of the songs, but that's it. I'll know more once I get my hands on the soundtrack of Patti's version.

Sunday in the Park with George got a nod, which I think is great. It's a really interesting Sondheim show, but I don't think that it was received too well on it's first run, when it starred the amazing Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin. The other one is South Pacific. I've always liked this show, but never loved it. My only exposure has been the movie. I am excited about the soundtrack because of Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Morrison.

The Tony Awards are playing Sunday, June 15, so I have 25 days until the big event. I can't wait. And now, everyone knows not to bug me that night. I've already requested it off work! Go Patti!