'Mormon' up for 12 Drama Desk Awards

NEW YORK, April 29 (UPI) -- "The Book of Mormon," an edgy Broadway show penned by the creators of TV's "South Park," was nominated for 12 Drama Desk Awards in New York Friday.

The story of two Mormon missionaries who cheerily try to bring their religion to war-torn Uganda will compete with "In Transit," "Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical," "See Rock City & Other Destinations," "Sister Act" and "The Kid" for the Outstanding Musical Award.

Nominated for Outstanding Play are Jon Robin Baitz's "Other Desert Cities," Adam Bock's "A Small Fire," Stephen Adly Guirgis' "The Motherf**ker With the Hat," Samuel D. Hunter's "A Bright New Boise," Rajiv Joseph's "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo," David Lindsay-Abaire's "Good People" and Nick Stafford's "War Horse."

Shortlisted for Outstanding Revival of a Play are "Born Yesterday," "The House of Blue Leaves," "The Importance of Being Earnest," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Normal Heart" and "Three Sisters."

Competing for the prize for Outstanding Revival of a Musical are "Anything Goes," "Hello Again" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

The nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Play are Charles Busch for "The Divine Sister," Bobby Cannavale for "The Motherf**ker With the Hat," Al Pacino for "The Merchant of Venice," Geoffrey Rush for "The Diary of a Madman," Mark Rylance for "Jerusalem," Michael Shannon for "Mistakes Were Made" and Paul Sparks for "Dusk Rings a Bell."

In the running for the award for Outstanding Actress in a Play are Nina Arianda for "Born Yesterday," Stockard Channing for "Other Desert Cities," Frances McDormand for "Good People," Laurie Metcalf for "The Other Place," Michele Pawk for "A Small Fire" and Lily Rabe for "The Merchant of Venice."

Up for the Outstanding Actor in a Musical honor are Norbert Leo Butz for "Catch Me if You Can," Colin Donnell for "Anything Goes," Daniel Radcliffe for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," Andrew Rannells for "The Book of Mormon," Tony Sheldon for "Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical" and Christopher Sieber for "The Kid."

Nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical are Sutton Foster for "Anything Goes," Beth Leavel for "Baby It's You!" Patina Miller for "Sister Act," Donna Murphy for "The People in the Picture" and Sherie Rene Scott for "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."

"The Book of Mormon" also earned nods for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for Rory O'Malley, Outstanding Featured Actress for Nikki M. James, Outstanding Director of a Musical for Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design and Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical.

The awards will be handed out during a ceremony May 23 at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom. Broadway icon Harvey Fierstein is to serve as host of the event.