The nominations for the 2003 Olivier Awards have just been announced and the stars of My One and Only and My Fair Lady have received nominations in both the categories of Best Actor in a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical. Janie Dee and Tim Flavin have been nominated for My One and Only and Joanna Riding and Alex Jenning for My Fair Lady. Completing the list of nominees are Elaine Stritch and Sarah Wildor for Best Actress in a Musical and Michael Jibson and Euan Morton for Best Actor in a Musical.
Competition is fierce for the Best Actress in a Musical Award. Both Dee and Riding are previous winners, Dee in 2000 for Comic Potential and Riding in 1993 for Carousel, a production which Dee was also in and for which she won the Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical Award. Elaine Stritch has worked in theatre since 1944 garnering a legendary reputation for herself. She brought her one woman show, Elaine Stritch at Liberty to the Old Vic in October for a strictly limited run, but due to demand extended the show into December. Sarah Wildor was a leading dancer with the Royal Ballet before leaving to pursue a freelance career in 2001 and joining the cast of Contact, for which she is nominated, in 2002.
The Best Actor in a Musical Category is equally hotly contested with two young stars leading the way. Euan Morton played the young Boy George in Taboo, the musical written by the real Karma Chameleon, while Michael Jibson leads the cast of Camden caper Our House which features the music of Madness. Tim Flavin, nominated for My One and Only, won the Most Promising Newcomer award for On Your Toes back in 1984. Alex Jennings, who took over from Jonathan Pryce as Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady earlier this year, completes the list of nominees.
The nominees for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical or Entertainment include Paul Baker for Taboo, Sharon D Clarke for We Will Rock You, Jenny Galloway for My One and Only, Nichola McAuliffe for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Craig Urbani for Contact.
The Olivier Awards are announced on February 14 at the Lyceum Theatre.
