‘What America should be’ Broadway celebrates variety

NEW YORK » Tony voters on Tuesday celebrated everything from the goofy to the grotesque on Broadway, handing out nominations in double digits to such varied shows as Tina Fey’s catty “Mean Girls,” the sprawling AIDs drama “Angels in America,” a grown-up Harry Potter play and a candy-colored slice of seafood in “SpongeBob SquarePants” musical.

“I feel like that’s what you want — you want a diverse community coming to the theater,” said Fey, who got a writing nomination for her Broadway debut. “It just feels like there’s something for everyone, which is how it should be.”

Seven shows earned 10 or more nominations, led by “Mean Girls” and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” with 12 each. “Angels in America,” “The Band’s Visit” and “Carousel” tied with 11, and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and “My Fair Lady” each got 10.

“It’s really exciting to be part of this nice mix,” said “Mean Girls” star Taylor Louderman, a first-time nominee who plays a high school queen bee laid low. “I’m really glad that we’re not leaving out a genre or commercial theater.”

The best new musical category is filled by “The Band’s Visit,” “Frozen,” “Mean Girls” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Those musicals that failed to make the cut were the Hal Prince revue “Prince of Broadway,” the Jimmy Buffett musical “Escape to Margaritaville” and “Summer,” about disco diva Donna Summer.

J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” franchise extended its magical touch to Broadway, with the two-part stage play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” earning nominations for lead actor Jamie Parker, featured actor Anthony Boyle, featured actress Noma Dumezweni, set design, costumes, lighting, sound design, choreography and a director nod for John Tiffany.

Boyle, who plays Scorpius Malfoy, originated the role in London but said he’s having a ball with Broadway