Broadway’s undeniable hit of 2011: South Park team’s “Book of Mormon” leads with 14 Tony nominations

With the help of Robert Lopez and a cast led by Josh Gad, the South Park team of Matt Stone and Trey Parker have created Broadway's one truly smash success of 2011 with their musical The Book of Mormon — not just the hottest ticket of the year, but now also the biggest critical hit, earning a leading 14 nominations today in the annual Tony Awards.

This season has witnessed an unusually large number of stand-up comedians making their Broadway debuts as well, but none of them earned Tony nods.

Chris Rock's The Motherf**ker with the Hat, however, did receive multiple nominations, including Best Play, Best Performance By A Leading Actor for Bobby Cannavale, and nods for his co-stars Yul V√°zquez and Elizabeth Rodriguez.

Robin Williams' co-star, Arian Moayed, also received a Tony nomination for his performance in the play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.

But zip for Rock or Williams, or even Colin Quinn, Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, Kathy Griffin, Jim Gaffigan, Kathy Griffin, or any of the other comedians. That leaves the focus squarely on Stone and Parker and the very real possibility that you'll get to see and hear them deliver a speech on live TV this June during the Tony Awards. Buckle up!

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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