Tom Hanks was the big name on the nominations list Tuesday for this year’s Tony Awards, but the musicals “Kinky Boots” and “Matilda” were vying for the heaviest haul of gongs. Hanks, better known for his work in Hollywood, shone in “Lucky Guy,” a Nora Ephron play about the ups and downs of controversial New York journalist Mike McAlary. Hanks is up for the best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play. “Lucky Guy” is also listed for best play and four other categories, while the revival of “Golden Boy” surpassed that with eight nominations.
But the main rivalry at this year’s Tonys could be between “Kinky Boots,” with 13 nominations, including best musical and best director, and “Matilda,” the adaptation of the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, with 12 nominations.
“Kinky Boots,” based on a British movie, tells the story of the unlikely reincarnation of a near bankrupt shoe factory. Pop star Cyndi Lauper — famous for her song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — wrote the music and lyrics.
“Matilda,” which recounts a supernaturally gifted girl’s determination to make something of her life, has enjoyed rave reviews and is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.The nominations list snubbed some major stars, including Scarlett Johansson in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and Al Pacino in the intense real estate salesmen drama “Glengarry Glen Ross.” The awards will be presented in New York on June 9.
