Minchin misses out; but other gongs for Matilda

Tim Minchin has missed out on winning the Tony award for best original score for Matilda to Cyndi Lauper.

The American pop icon scooped the top Broadway accolade for her work on the stage adaptation of British comedy movie Kinky Boots, which was the night’s big winner with six prizes – including best musical.

However, Minchin’s co-writer Dennis Kelly did scoop the Tony for his book; while star Gabriel Ebert won best featured actor in a musical for his portrayal of Mr Wormwood.

And the four child actresses who shared the role of Matilda –Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro – were awarded a Tony Honour for Excellence in the Theatre.

Matilda also won best scenic design and best lighting design.

After the New York ceremony, Minchin tweeted: ‘Thanks for all your lovely tweets. Am proud to have been nominated & so proud of all who work on @MatildaBroadway. Awesome humans.’

The show was developed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, whose artistic director Gregory Doran said: ‘It’s an honour to be on Broadway and we want to pay tribute to the fantastic American cast and crew who have worked on the show since January and to the incredible response we have had from New York audiences. [We’ve] come a long way since Liccy Dahl approached us in 2003 and asked us to bring Roald Dahl’s story to life in the theatre.’

Published: 10 Jun 2013