2008 Tony noms: Bartlett Sher's show gets 11 nods, "Young Frank" has 3

As expected, Bartlett Sher, artistic director of Seattle's Intiman Theatre, has earned a 2008 Tony Award nomination (his third) for his direction of the smash Broadway revival of "South Pacific," the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical.

The acclaimed production garnered a total of 11 Tony nods, more than any other show this Broadway season except for the rousing new salsa musical, "In the Heights," which nabbed 13.

Among the "South Pacific" nominations are ones for leading lady Kelli O'Hara, set designer Michael Yeargan and costume designer Catherine Zuber, all of whom were previously nominated for their work with Sher on the 2005 Broadway musical, "The Light in the Piazza," which originated at Intiman Theatre.

Broadway's "Young Frankenstein," the big-budget Mel Brooks musical that premiered in Seattle last summer, was awarded just three Tony nominations: for featured actress Andrea Martin and featured actor Christopher Fitzgerald, and for set designer Robin Wagner. The show was a crowd-pleaser in its pre-Broadway run at the Paramount Theatre, but earned tepid-to-harsh reviews here and in New York.

Also of special interest to Seattle theatergoers: Though he was not nominated for an individual Tony Award, former Seattle Repertory Theater artistic head Daniel Sullivan can take pride that his well-received staging of Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming" received three 2008 nominations, including a nod for best revival of a play.

Sullivan also directed another well-praised revival this year — the play "Come Back, Little Sheba," which like "Homecoming," had a limited run.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com