South Park duo's musical leads Tony nominations

The gleefully offensive Broadway from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, has picked up more Tony Award nominations than any other New York show this year.

The Book Of Mormon received 14 nods, just one shy of the record jointly held by The Producers and Billy Elliot.

The musical comedy, which tells the story of Mormon missionaries who travel to Africa, is shortlisted in categories including best musical, best original score and best direction of a musical.

Vogue Magazine has called the show ‘the filthiest, most offensive, and—surprise—sweetest thing you’ll see on Broadway this year’ and even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been muted in its response.

Last month, Michael Otterson, the head of public affairs for the church, wrote: ‘Of course, parody isn't reality, and it's the very distortion that makes it appealing and often funny. The danger is not when people laugh but when they take it seriously—if they leave a theater believing that Mormons really do live in some kind of a surreal world of self-deception and illusion.’

Meanwhile, The Office’s Mackenzie Crook has been nominated for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play for his part as Ginger in Jerusalem.

The ceremony will take place on June 12 and televised live in the States on CBS

Here the creators talk about the show:

Published: 3 May 2011