The 50th anniversary nominations for the Olivier Awards, British theater’s highest honors, were announced by the Society of London Theatre on March 5. The nominations are heavily populated by performers and productions with strong ties to New York.
Leading the nominations with 11 each are a musical revival of “Into the Woods” and the new musical “Paddington,” followed by “Kenrex,” “All My Sons” and the transfer of the Tony Award-winning play “Stereophonic,” with six nominations.
Several nominees are being recognized for reprising the same roles that recently earned them accolades in Manhattan. Sean Hayes is nominated as Best Actor for his portrayal of Oscar Levant in “Good Night, Oscar,” the same turn that earned him a 2023 Tony Award; the play also received a nod for Outstanding Musical Contribution for Hayes’ live performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Cole Escola’s Broadway hit “Oh, Mary!,” which won two Tony Awards last season, is nominated for the Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, with prior Olivier winner Giles Terera earning a supporting nomination for playing Mary’s Husband. “The Producers,” which famously holds the record for winning the most Tony Awards in history with 12 victories, is nominated for Best Musical Revival for its current London production at the Garrick Theatre. Additionally, “Every Brilliant Thing,” which is currently in previews at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway starring Daniel Radcliffe, is a nominee for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play following its run in London (which starred the play’s co-creator Jonny Donahoe).
Broadway connections continue through the acting and creative categories, including performers currently or soon to be on New York stages. Olivier winner and two-time Tony winner Bryan Cranston is nominated for his turn as Joe Keller in “All My Sons.” Tony nominee Kate Fleetwood is Olivier-nominated for her performance as the Witch in “Into the Woods.”
Corbin Bleu is nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his performance as Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby,” a role he is scheduled to reprise in the Broadway production later this month. The production’s creative team is also recognized, with Linda Cho nominated for Best Costume Design for her Tony-winning work on the show and Paul Tate dePoo III nominated for Best Set Design, repeating his Broadway work. Tony winner and Olivier winner Jane Krakowski is nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for her turn as Claire in “Here We Are,” Stephen Sondheim’s final work, which premiered Off-Broadway at the Shed in 2023. The show itself received a nomination for Best New Musical, with Tony-nominated and two-time Olivier-winning actor Tracie Bennett recognized in the Supporting Role category for her performance as the Woman, a role she also played in New York.
“Stereophonic,” which made history at the Tony Awards as the most-nominated play ever, sees its London production recognized for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Lucy Karczewski (as Diana) and a nomination for Zachary Hart for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as Reg (Hart is also nominated in the category for his turn in “The Seagull”). Much of the New York design team of “Stereophonic” is also Olivier-nominated: set designer David Zinn, costume designer Enver Chakartash and sound designer Ryan Rumery.
Main Stem ties are contined by several prominent play nominees, including Tony nominee Cate Blanchett, who earned a Best Actress nod for her role as Irina Arkadina in “The Seagull.” Tony nominee and two-time Olivier winner James Graham’s play “Punch,” which was seen on Broadway earlier this season, earned four Olivier nominations including Best New Play and Best Actor for David Shields as Jacob. Tom Hiddleston is nominated for Best Actor for his performance as Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing,” a role he will reprise on Broadway this fall. Rachel Zegler, who starred as Juliet in Broadway’s “Romeo + Juliet” last season, earned a Best Actress in a Musical nomination for her turn as Eva Perón in the revival of “Evita,” which received five nominations total. Tony nominee and Olivier winner Jenna Russell also received a nod for her role as Queenie in “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.”
Rounding out the major categories, Tony-winning director Ivo van Hove is nominated for the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director for “All My Sons,” which also received a Best Revival nomination, while the Tony-nominated musical “Shucked” earned multiple nods including Best New Musical and a Supporting nomination for Georgina Onuorah as Lulu.
The 50th anniversary Olivier Awards ceremony will be hosted by Nick Mohammed at the Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on the BBC on April 12.
A full list of nominees can be found below.
Cunard Best New Musical
“Here We Are,” book by David Ives, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim at National Theatre — Lyttelton
“Paddington The Musical,” music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale at Savoy Theatre
“Shucked,” book by Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” book by Rachel Joyce, music and lyrics by Passenger at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Musical Revival supported by Piper-Heidsieck
“American Psycho,” book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis at Almeida Theatre
“Evita,” lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber at the London Palladium
“Into the Woods,” music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine at Bridge Theatre
“The Producers,” music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan at Garrick Theatre
Best New Play supported by The Londoner
“1536” by Ava Pickett at Almeida Theatre
“Inter Alia” by Suzie Miller at National Theatre — Lyttelton
“Kenrex” by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian at the Other Palace
“Punch” by James Graham at Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Best Revival
“All My Sons” by Arthur Miller at Wyndham’s Theatre
“Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard at the Old Vic
“Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
“The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier at Barbican Theatre
Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
“The Comedy About Spies” by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields at Noël Coward Theatre
“Every Brilliant Thing” by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe at @sohoplace
“Oh, Mary!” by Cole Escola at Trafalgar Theatre “Paranormal Activity” by Levi Holloway at Ambassadors Theatre
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett for “The Seagull” at Barbican Theatre
Marianne Jean-Baptiste for“All My Sons” at Wyndham’s Theatre
Julia McDermott for “Weather Girl” at Soho Theatre
Rosamund Pike for “Inter Alia” at National Theatre — Lyttelton
Rosie Sheehy for “Guess How Much I Love You?” at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Best Actor
Bryan Cranston for “All My Sons” at Wyndham’s Theatre
Sean Hayes for “Good Night, Oscar” at Barbican Theatre
Tom Hiddleston for “Much Ado About Nothing” at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Jack Holden for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
David Shields for “Punch” at Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Best Actor in a Musical
Marc Antolin for “The Producers” at Garrick Theatre
James Hameed and Arti Shah for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Andy Nyman for “The Producers” at Garrick Theatre
Jamie Parker for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Diego Andres Rodriguez for “Evita” at the London Palladium
Best Actress in a Musical
Katie Brayben for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Danielle Fiamanya and Georgina Onuorah for “Brigadoon” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Jane Krakowski for “Here We Are” at National Theatre — Lyttelton
Jenna Russell for “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Rachel Zegler for “Evita” at the London Palladium
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Isis Hainsworth for “Arcadia” at the Old Vic Julie Hesmondhalgh for “Punch” at Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Lucy Karczewski for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre Hayley Squires for “All My Sons” at Wyndham’s Theatre
Sophie Thompson for “When We Are Married” at Donmar Warehouse
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Hammed Animashaun for “Dealer’s Choice” at Donmar Warehouse
Paapa Essiedu for “All My Sons” at Wyndham’s Theatre
Zachary Hart for “The Seagull” at Barbican Theatre Zachary Hart for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre
Giles Terera for “Oh, Mary!” at Trafalgar Theatre
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Trevor Ashley for “The Producers” at Garrick Theatre
Corbin Bleu for “The Great Gatsby” at London Coliseum
Tom Edden for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Jo Foster for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Oliver Savile for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Tracie Bennett for “Here We Are” at National Theatre — Lyttelton
Amy Booth-Steel for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Kate Fleetwood for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Georgina Onuorah for “Shucked” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director
Jordan Fein for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Luke Sheppard for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Ed Stambollouian for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
Lyndsey Turner for “1536” at Almeida Theatre
Ivo van Hove for “All My Sons” at Wyndham’s Theatre
Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer
Fabian Aloise for “Evita” at the London Palladium
Ellen Kane for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Drew McOnie for “Brigadoon” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Lynne Page for “American Psycho” at Almeida Theatre
Best Costume Design
Enver Chakartash for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre
Linda Cho for “The Great Gatsby” at London Coliseum
Tom Scutt for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Gabriella Slade (costume design) and Tahra Zafar (Paddington design) for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Best Set Design supported by Blue-i Theatre Technology
Paul Tate dePoo III (scenic and projection design) for “The Great Gatsby” at London Coliseum
Tom Pye (set design) and Ash J Woodward (video design) for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Tom Scutt for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre David Zinn for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre
Best Lighting Design
Robbie Butler for “Punch” at Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Jon Clark for “Evita” at the London Palladium
Aideen Malone (lighting design) and Roland Horvath (video design) for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Joshua Pharo for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
Best Sound Design supported by d&b audiotechnik
Adam Fisher for “Into the Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Gareth Owen for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Ryan Rumery for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre
Giles Thomas for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
Outstanding Musical Contribution
Matt Brind (orchestrations and arrangements) for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Will Butler (original songs and orchestrations) and Justin Craig (orchestrations) for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre
John Patrick Elliott (composition) for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
Chris Fenwick (musical supervision and arrangements) and Sean Hayes (live piano performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue) for “Good Night, Oscar” at Barbican Theatre
Best Family Show
“The Boy At The Back Of The Class,” adapted by Nick Ahad at Rose Theatre
“The Boy With Wings,” adapted by Arvind Ethan David at Polka Theatre
“The Firework-Maker’s Daughter,” adapted by Jude Christian at Polka Theatre
“The Three Little Pigs,” music by George Stiles, book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe at Unicorn Theatre
Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre
“Ben And Imo” by Mark Ravenhill at Orange Tree Theatre
“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams at The Yard Theatre
“The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs” by Iman Qureshi at Kiln Theatre
“Miss Myrtle’s Garden” by Danny James King at Bush Theatre
“The Shitheads” by Jack Nicholls at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Best New Dance Production
“Into the Hairy” by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells
“Mimi’s Shebeen” by Alesandra Seutin and KVS at Sadler’s Wells East
“Random Taranto” by María del Mar Suárez (La Chachi) as part of Dance Umbrella: Change Tempo at The Pit at Barbican
“She’s Auspicious” by Mythili Prakash at Sadler’s Wells East
Best New Opera Production supported by TAIT
“Dead Man Walking” by English National Opera at London Coliseum
“The Makropulos Case” by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
“Tosca” by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
“Die Walküre” by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
