Andy Karl has come a long way from playing The Reluctant Dragon at Toby’s Dinner Theater. This morning, the 39-year-old actor, who attended Towson High and Towson University, nabbed a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of boxer Rocky Balboa on Broadway. Although the Rocky musical has gotten some lukewarm reviews since it opened in March, Karl has impressed critics— Broadway Direct called his climactic fight scene “the most electrifying 20 minutes on Broadway right now.”
Other nominees for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical” include Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables), so Karl has some formidable competition. The Tony Awards ceremony will be held June 8th at Radio City Music Hall.