Audra McDonald, Bryan Cranston, GREASE LIVE Among Theater Stars Nominated for 68th Annual EMMY AWARDS

This morning, Anthony Anderson and Lauren Graham presented the nominations for the 68th EMMY AWARDS from the Wolf Theatre at the Academy's newly-opened Saban Media Center. Television Academy Chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum also joined Anderson and Graham at the nominations ceremony.

The 68th Emmy Awards, including the star-studded Red Carpet preshow, will telecast live from The Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sunday, September 18 (7:00-11:00 p.m. ET/4:00-8:00 p.m. PT) on ABC. Emmy Award-winning live television and event producer Don Mischer will executive produce the broadcast hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

Not surprisingly, stars from the world of theater were well represented in this year's group of stellar nominees.

In the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, the nominees included Kevin

Spacey for HOUSE OF CARDS. For Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the nominees included Claire Danes for HOMELAND, Viola Davis for HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER and Robin Wright for HOUSE OF CARDS.

Tony Award winner Bryan Cranston was once again recognized for his role of LBJ in HBO's

television adaptation of ALL THE WAY. The movie was also recognized in the category of Outstanding TV movie and Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series. Cranston will compete for the award against Benedict Cumberbatch for SHERLOCK and Tom Hiddleston for NIGHT MANAGER.

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald received a nomination for HBO's presentation of LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL. The actress won her sixth Tony Award in 2015 for her portrayal of the legendary singer. Other nominees in the category were Sarah Paulson for THE PEOPLE VS OJ SIMPSON and Kerry Washington for CONFIRMATION on HBO.

Laurie Metcalf, who recently received a Tony nomination for MISERY received a nod in the category of Lead Actress in a comedy for GETTING ON. She'll compete against Lily Tomlin in GRACE AND FRANKIE.

Tony Award host James Corden received a nomination for Outstanding Talk Series for CBS's THE LATE LATE SHOW.

In the category of Outstanding Directing for a variety special, HAMILTON director Thomas Kail and Live TV director Alex Rudzinski received a nod for GREASE LIVE on FOX, as did Glenn Weiss for THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.

In the category of Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater received a nod for ABC's GALAVANT.

The CW's musical themed CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, featuring Broadway's Santino Fontana and recent guest star Lea Salonga, was nominated for Best Choreography.

The 69th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS received a nod for Outstanding Technical Direction as

did GREASE LIVE, THE OSCARS and THE WIZ LIVE.

In the category of Outstanding Special Class Program, the 69th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS and GREASE LIVE will compete against THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS and THE OSCARS.

Among the nominees for Outstanding Variety Special were CBS's THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS and THE LATE LATE SHOW CARPOOL KARAOKE Primetime Special.

UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT's Tituss Burgess received a nod for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. In the Actress side of the category, Judith Light (TRANSPARENT) and Allison Janney (MOM) will compete.

For Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Dame Maggie Smith was recognized for role as DOWNTON ABBEY's Dowager Countess, as was GAME OF THRONES Emilia Clark.

In the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, Christine Baranski was recognized for her role in THE BIG BANG THEORY, as was Laurie Metcalf for the same CBS comedy. Metcalf also received a nod for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for HORACE AND PETE. She'll compete against Ellen Burstyn (HOUSE OF CARDS) and Allison Janney (MASTERS OF SEX)

In total, GREASE LIVE received a total of 10 nominations, the most Emmy nominations ever for a live musical:

Outstanding Production Design For A Variety, Nonfiction, Event Or Award Special (David Korins)

Outstanding Casting For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special

Outstanding Costumes For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program (William Ivey Long)

Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special (Tommy Kail)

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special

Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special

Outstanding Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special (Non-Prosthetic)

Outstanding Special Class Program

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special

In total, NBC's THE WIZ LIVE received 6 nominations including:

Outstanding Production Design - Derek McLane (who also received a second nod for THE OSCARS)

Outstanding Makeup, Costumes and Hair For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program - Paul Tazewell

Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special

Outstanding Technical Direction

Click here for a full list of nominees

GREASE LIVE photo: Tommy Garcia/FOX

THE WIZ LIVE photo: Virginia Sherwood/NBC

ALL THE WAY photo: HILARY BRONWYN GAYLE/HBO

LADY DAY photo: Michele K. Short/Courtesy of HBO