2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Performance By A Leading Actor In A Musical'

Nominations in 27 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony"® Awards were announced today by Tony Award Winners Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. To view the complete list of nominees, click here.

The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television.

The American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony"® Awards will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, 2009 (8-11pm, live EST, PT time delay) on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees:
'Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical'

Trent Kowalik is making his Broadway debut in BETM. He previously performed the role of Billy on London's West End. He is the winner of national and regional dance titles under the direction of Dorothy Medico, Dorothy's School of Dance, Bellmore, NY, and five-time undefeated National Step Dancing Champion and World Champion under the direction of Sean Reagan, Inishfree School of Irish Dance. Big hugs and thanks to family, friends and teachers who helped him find his "electricity."

Kiril Kulish started ballet at age five. He was the winner of the Youth America Grand Prix and International World Ballet Competition (YAGP) for the past two consecutive years. He is the National Ballroom Dance Champion in the Junior Division for the last two years. He was also the youngest male dancer admitted to the San Diego Academy of Ballet Junior Company. He has been a guest artist with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. He is also an accomplished concert pianist and made his international debut in Cordoba. He loves football, basketball, tennis and skateboarding and is excited to perform as Billy.

Gavin Creel ("Claude" in Hair)
Gavin Creel is a total Aries and has a groovy rescue dog named Wally. Gavin had glasses, braces and bad skin growing up and thanks God for all of those things. He loves his parents a lot and dreams of having a family of his own someday. Gavin has no patience for people who perpetuate inequality in the guise of "religious belief," and is grateful for HGTV. If you're happy and you know it, join the tribe. For Melbel.

Brian d'Arcy James ("Shrek" in Shrek)
Broadway: The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Sweet Smell of Success (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), Titanic, Carousel, Blood Brothers. Off-Broadway: Port Authority, Next to Normal, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Pavilion, Flight, The Good Thief (Keen Company; Obie Award, Drama Desk nomination, Outer Critics Circle nomination, L.A. Weekly Award), Pardon My English, The Wild Party (Drama Desk nomination), Public Enemy, Floyd Collins, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Film/TV: Ghost Town, Enchanted, "Cashmere Mafia," "Rescue Me," "Neurotica," "Exiled," "Sax and Violins." Solo debut album: From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn. BS: Northwestern University.

Constantine Maroulis ("Drew" in Rock of Ages)
Broadway: The Wedding Singer. Nat'l tour: Rent (Roger). Off-Broadway: Rock of Ages, Jacques Brel. Reg'l: Williamstown. TV: American Idol finalist, The Bold and the Beautiful (series regular), The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien, Ellen, Regis & Kelly and contributed/ hosted many American Idol-related programs for FOX. Sold-out tours include Idols Live (arenas) and solo (club circuit). CDs: American Idol Showstoppers (RCA, certified RIAA Gold), Killer Queen (Hollywood Records), Constantine (6th Place Records/ Sony/Red). New CD in the works. Training: Boston Conservatory. Thanks: ROA Company, David Passick, Paul Reisman and everyone at Abrams, Jamie, Deuce, Boussi, Jules, Penny, fans and my BIG FAT GREEK family.

J. Robert Spencer ("Dan" in next to normal)
Broadway: original Nick Massi in Jersey Boys (Tony Award Best Musical 2006, Grammy Award and Gold Record recipient), Side Show. Regional: Arena Stage: Next to Normal (Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor). Tours: Heartland, Cats, Finian's Rainbow, Tommy. Animated films: Grave of the Fireflies, Nightmare Campus. TV: "Law & Order," "All My Children," "Girls Behaving Badly." Film: Night of the Dog (Audience Award winner at Palm Beach, Santa Barbara, and nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the SMMASH Film Festival), Farm Girl in New York (official selection for Atlanta, Big Apple, Seattle and nominated for Best Comedy in Sacramento). His company, 7 Spencer Productions, recently wrapped their second film, titled Heterosexuals. Concerts: He recently performed with the Boston Pops for Handel's Messiah Rocks available on CD/DVD by Sony Masterworks in the fall of 2009. Awards: Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Shenandoah University.