Musicals '& Juliet,' 'Dear Evan Hansen' seek Olivier awards
LONDON (AP) - Pop-Shakespearean musical 'œ& Juliet'ť leads the race for Britain's Olivier theater awards, where 'œFleabag'ť creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge is up for two trophies.
The 'œRomeo and Juliet'ť-inspired show, with music by Swedish songwriter Max Martin, has nine nominations, including best new musical.
Trevor Nunn's revival of 'œFiddler on the Roof'ť was nominated in eight categories on Tuesday, while Broadway import 'œDear Evan Hansen'ť is up for seven prizes.
The one-woman stage version of Waller-Bridge's barbed sitcom 'œFleabag'ť is nominated for best entertainment or comedy play. Waller-Bridge is also nominated for best actress in a play, competing with Hayley Atwell for 'œRosmersholm,'ť Sharon D. Clarke for 'œDeath of a Salesman,'ť and Juliet Stevenson for 'œThe Doctor.'ť
'œFleabag'ť co-star Andrew Scott is among the best-actor nominees for his performance as a self-centered actor in Noel Coward's 'œPresent Laughter.'ť The other contenders are James McAvoy for 'œCyrano de Bergerac,'ť Toby Jones for 'œUncle Vanya'ť and Wendell Pierce for 'œDeath Of A Salesman.'ť
The nominees for best new musical are 'œDear Evan Hansen,'ť 'œ& Juliet,'ť 'œAmelie'ť and 'œWaitress.'ť In the new-play category, the contenders are Lucy Prebble's 'œA Very Expensive Poison,'ť Tom Stoppard's 'œLeopoldstadt'ť; Arthur Schnitzler adaptation 'œThe Doctor'ť and 'œThe Ocean At The End Of The Lane,'ť a state adaption of Neil Gaiman's novel.
The winners will be announced April 5 at London's Royal Albert Hall.