Jersey Boys leads Helpmann noms

The hit musical Jersey Boys has been given a huge boost leading into its Sydney season at the Theatre Royal, after being nominated for an astonishing 10 Helpmann Awards.

The hit musical Jersey Boys has been given a huge boost leading into its Sydney season at the Theatre Royal, after being nominated for an astonishing 10 Helpmann Awards.

It is amongst four nominees for Best Musical, and faces competition from Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone and Windmill Theatre’s production of The Wizard Of Oz.

Nominated for the other major award – Best Play – is The Book Of Everything, Happy Days, August: Osage County and Richard III.

There is a strong group nominated for Best Male Actor in a Musical: Mitchell Butel (Avenue Q), Bobby Fox (Jersey Boys), Michael Cormick (Mamma Mia!) and Geoffrey Rush (The Drowsy Chaperone).

Nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical is Michala Banas (Avenue Q), Christie Whelan (The Drowsy Chaperone), Delia Hannah (Cats), and Ursula Yovich (The Wizard Of Oz).

Jersey Boys producer Rodney Rigby said he was thrilled with the nominations for his show.

“Being nominated as Best Musical is a wonderful acknowledgement by our peers across the industry how special Jersey Boys is to audiences and everyone associated with the production,” Rigby said.

Chris Green from Dainty Consolidated Entertainment said: “What a great honour to be nominated in 10 categories. This shows tremendous recognition from the industry and we are delighted.”

Nominated for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical is Luke Joslin (Avenue Q), Scott Johnson (Jersey Boys), Adam Murphy (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Geoff Revell (The Wizard Of Oz), whilst in the female category the nominees are Christina O’Neil (Avenue Q), Lisa Adam (Jersey Boys), Jaz Flowers (Fame) and Jude Henshall (The Wizard Of Oz).

Nominated for Best Choreographer in a Musical is Nathan Wright (Avenue Q), Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys), Kelley Abbey (Fame) and Andrew Hallsworth (The Drowsy Chaperone).

iOTA, Moira Finucane, Melissa Madden Gray and a group including Paul Capsis, Martin Martini, Le Gateau Chocolat, Lady Carol and Christine Johnson are nominated for Best Cabaret Performer.

The Helpmanns this year are shaping up as a battle between Avenue Q and Jersey Boys, with both productions critically acclaimed during their initial seasons.

It is likely to be a closely fought year with no real standout winners, given there is believed to be a push for The Drowsy Chaperone out of Melbourne, which is likely to take some of the awards from the two major musicals nominated.

On Monday, Live Performance Australia announced that Tony Gould AM and Brian Nebenzahl OAM RFD are the recipients of the prestigious JC Williamson Award. This Award recognises an extraordinary contribution by distinguished members of the live entertainment industry, and will be presented at the Helpmann Awards on September 6.

Kathryn Sadler, Chair of the Brian Stacey Memorial Trust announced that Burhan Güner is the winner of the Brian Stacey Award for Emerging Australian Conductors, and presented Burhan with a $7,000 prize. Burhan Güner is the 14th recipient of this award.