'Billy Elliot' nabs 10 Tony Awards; 2 men with Utah ties fail to win

NEW YORK — The question heading into the Tony Awards was "would a ballet dancing boy surpass a couple of sleazy Broadway producers?"

Answer? Not quite. Though "Billy Elliot, The Musical" was nominated for 15 awards and handily leapt over its competition by winning 10, it didn't surpass "The Producers," which currently holds the record at 12.

But, it did win the biggies — Best Musical and Best Actor.

A first for the award show, the three young men who play the title role were all nominated, jointly, for their performance. The trio, triple cast because of the physical demands of the role, stood side-by-side not sure who should speak first and when they did, weren't sure what to say. With ahhs from the audience, they thanked their families, teachers and cast members.

Elton John, who composed the music for "Billy Elliot," greeted the press after the musical's win. "We're so thrilled. We've been greeted with nothing but open arms."

The living legend chatted casually with the press and admitted, "I like the Tonys a lot more than the Oscars," he said. "We were sitting in our seats for four hours but it flew by because there is so much talent on that stage. It was totally entertaining."

Neither nominee with Utah ties, Will Swenson (Best Featured Actor, "Hair"), nor Neil LaBute (Best Play, "Reasons to be Pretty") won in their categories. But "Hair" did take the trophy for Best Revival, and the tribe gave a spirited performance of the title song.

The Best Play honor went to Yasmina Reza, for "God of Carnage," which also nabbed another Tony for Marcia Gay Harden's performance.

Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted the 63rd annual ceremony, went off-prompter at the beginning of the evening and talked about growing up watching the Tony Awards. "That was the closest I ever got to theater. But I love this art. To do what they do night after night, and twice on Saturday, is amazing."

As expected, Angela Lansbury took home the Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play, in "Blithe Spirit." The 83-year-old actress garnered a very rare standing ovation from the press room after winning her fifth Tony award, the most of any actor.

"I feel 2 feet off the ground, I needed that fifth Tony to balance my shelf," she joked. "But really, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd have an opportunity to get another at this point in my life."

Another legend took home a Tony, Liza Minnelli, who won best special theatrical event. The singer gushed about how "startled" she was when asked bout her icon status in pop culture, "but I love it and I'm so grateful … and all that jazz."

The three-hour award show also paid tribute to Jerry Herman, composer or "Hello, Dolly!" "La Cage Aux Folles" and "Mame." The 77-year-old paid tribute to his mom, who "believed in me when no one else did."

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