"Billy Elliot" Leads UK Theater Award Noms

Nominations for the Oliviers -- the UK equivalent to the Tonys -- are just out and the delightful musical "Billy Elliot -- The Musical" leads with 9 nods. I saw it in London and it was an improvement on the film. Always fun and sometimes thrilling, with a seriously socialist bent, frankly. It's gonna do well once it comes to America. It takes three young actors to alternate in the role and -- remarkably -- all three have been nominated for Best Actor. The other best actor nods go to Ewan McGregor and Douglas Hodge in Guys & Dolls. I saw that one too -- McGregor has a modest voice but coasted by on his considerable charm. Hodge, however, was one weak voice too many -- I don't mind a movie star lead, but he should be surrounded with strong singers. (It's good, but should not try and come to America where it would pale in comparison to the memories of Nathan Lane and Peter Gallagher's revival. My biggest regret is not seeing two acclaimed plays: Derek Jacobi in "Don Carlos" and Janet McTeer in "Mary Stuart." Both hopefully will make it across the Pond.