Local Broadway Star Earns Tony Nod

Local San Diegan Kiril Kulish scores one of 15 Tony nominations for his title role in "Billy Elliot", the hit Broadway show.

"Billy Elliot," the tale of a British coal miner's son who dreams of becoming a dancer, has the potential of winning a record number of 2009 Tony Awards. Its 15 nominations - which Tuesday tied the number received by "The Producers" in 2001 - included one of the more unusual nods. The three boys who share the title role in "Billy Elliot" - David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, Kiril Kulish - were named together for the best actor-musical prize.

"It would have been impossible to sort of separate the boys out. That would have been hideous." - Haydn Gwynne, who portrays a dance instructor in "Billy Elliot," on the shared Tony nomination for the three young actors who portray the titular dance prodigy.

"This ('Billy Elliot') is the culmination of so many years work, and it's a fantastic day for everyone involved," said the show's elated superstar composer, Elton John. He was nominated for best score along with lyricist Lee Hall.

Besides best-musical, score and lead actor, "Billy Elliot" received nominations for book, featured actor (two), featured actress (two), direction, scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, choreography and orchestrations.

"This ('Billy Elliot') is the culmination of so many years work, and it's a fantastic day for everyone involved," said the shows elated superstar composer, Elton John.

And there are more San Diego ties in this year's Tony nominations then local star Kulish: “Guys and Dolls” set designer is UCSD-trained Robert Brill, who came up through San Diego Repertory Theatre and other local theaters; the director of “Next to Normal” is another UCSD graduate, Michael Greif, who is nominated for best direction of a musical; and Bartlett Sher (whose production of “Joe Turner's Come and Gone” earned six nominations) got his start here in the 1980s, according to the Union Tribune.