Tony nominations spread out but ‘Once’ takes lead

NEW YORK (AP) ― There was something for virtually everyone to smile about on Broadway on Tuesday after 30 of 37 shows this season got at least one Tony Award nomination. The folks at “Once’’ had the most reason to celebrate tonight at their working bar on stage.

The musical based on the low-budget 2006 film about an unlikely romance between a Czech flower seller and an Irish street musician in Dublin earned a leading 11 nominations, including nods for best musical, for both its lead actors, its book, lighting, sound, choreography and its set, which offers the audience real drinks before the show in a replica pub.

“‘Once’ constantly surprises me. I think it’s the power of the music and the storytelling that people connect with,’’ said John Tiffany, who was nominated for best director of a musical.

Two other big winners were Disney and the Gershwin estate: Two musicals using George and Ira Gershwin songs ― “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess’’ and “Nice Work If You Can Get It’’ ― each got 10 nominations.

And “Peter and the Starcatcher,’’ a play about the origins of Peter Pan co-produced by Disney Theatrical Productions earned nine nominations, while Disney’s energetic song-and-dance musical “Newsies’’ got eight nods.

Later this summer, “Once,’’ “Nice Work If You Can Get It,’’ and “Newsies’’ will compete for the title of best new musical with a surprise entry ― “Leap of Faith,’’ which was ravaged by critics. “Ghost the Musical,’’ an import from London with songs by mega producers Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, failed to get nominated in the best musical category.

The fall revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies’’ got eight nominations, setting up a face-off in the best revival category with “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,’’ which Sondheim had criticized for messing with a classic.

The nominations, picked by 22 theatre professionals, were announced at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday by Kristin Chenoweth and Jim Parsons. The actual awards will be broadcast on CBS from the Beacon Theatre on June 10. Neil Patrick Harris, the star of “How I Met Your Mother,’’ will be the host.

Broadway’s most expensive show, the $75 million “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,’’ got only two nominations, for best scenic design and costume. The show, a former punch-line, is now a top-earning hit and a spokesman shrugged off the snub.