The 2012 Grammy Awards are tonight, and the nominees for "Best Musical Theater Album" were THE BOOK OF MORMON, ANYTHING GOES, and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING.
This year's winner - just announced via a pre-telecast live stream - is THE BOOK OF MORMON!
THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. The production is choreographed by Casey Nicholaw and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker. THE BOOK OF MORMON plays on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street).
THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, Best Music (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Lyrics (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Director (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Actor in a Musical (Josh Gad) and Best Director (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker) and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.
THE BOOK OF MORMON stars Josh Gad as Elder Cunningham, Andrew Rannells as Elder Price, Nikki M. James as Nabalungi, Rory O'Malley as Elder McKinley and Michael Potts as Mafala Hatimbi, with Lewis Cleale, Brian Tyree Henry, Scott Barnhardt, Justin Bohon, Graham Bowen, Darlesia Cearcy, Kevin Duda, Jared Gertner, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Tyson Jennette, Clark Johnsen, Valisia LeKae, Douglas Lyons, John Eric Parker, Nic Rouleau, Benjamin Schrader, Michael James Scott, Brian Sears, Jason Michael Snow, Nick Spangler Lawrence Stallings, Rema Webb, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Tommar Wilson.
All three nominees opened last spring and are still running at their respective theatres. Last year's award, then named "Best Musical Show Album," went to Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT. The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
