Australian stars Cate Blanchett and Tim Minchin have been nominated for prestigious Tony Awards, recognising their work on Broadway. Blanchett, 47, is nominated for Best Leading Actress in a Play for her role in The Present, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Platonov by her husband Andrew Upton. Minchin, 41, is nominated for Best Original Score for the musical Groundhog Day, based on the 1993 film.
Blanchett faces stiff competition from acting legend Sally Field (The Glass Menagerie), Laura Linney (The Little Foxes), Laurie Metcalfe (A Doll's House, Part 2), and Jennifer Ehle (Oslo). Her co-star Richard Roxburgh did not receive a nomination.
Minchin's Groundhog Day received multiple nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Danny Rubin, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Andy Karl, Best Scenic Design, Best Direction for Matthew Warchus, and Best Choreography for Peter Darling and Ellen Kane. Minchin previously lost a Tony in 2013 for Matilda to Cyndi Lauper's Kinky Boots.
Minchin competes in the Best Original Score category against Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen), and Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Come From Away).
Blanchett and Minchin are part of a five-strong Australian contingent nominated for Tony Awards. Producers Sam Levy and Rodney Rigby are nominated for Best Musical for Come From Away, while Stuart Thompson is nominated for Best Play for Sweat and Best Revival of a Play for Six Degrees of Separation.
