Tony Awards 2011: Pictures from the Beacon Theatre red carpet arrivals

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Neil Patrick Harris, ever the punctual host, hit the 2011 Tony Awards red carpet early at New York’s Beacon Theater on Sunday, escorted by partner David Burtka and surrounded by faces familiar from the stage and big and small screens alike.

Nominees Edie Falco and Ellen Barkin made the scene, and David Hyde Pierce of ‘Frasier’ TV fame was spotted, with former costar Kelsey Grammer and Ministry of Gossip favorite also expected. A 2010 Tony nominee for ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ Grammer married Kayte Walsh in February at that show’s Broadway venue, the Longacre Theatre.

Joel Grey, father of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ favorite Jennifer Grey and a directing nominee with George C. Wolfe, walked the carpet with ‘The Normal Heart’ team, including acting nominee Joe Mantello.

Also spotted on the red carpet: ‘The Book of Mormon’ acting nominee Andrew Rannells, Samuel L. Jackson and wife LaTanya Richardson, Annabella Sciorra,
James Earl Jones, Marg Helgenberger, Don Cheadle and Judith Light.

‘The Book of Mormon,’ from ‘South Park’ team Matt Stone and Trey Parker, is up for 14 awards, leading the pack for number of nominations. Other celeb names nominated for Broadway honors include Bobby Cannavale, Billy Crudup, Al Pacino and Vanessa Redgrave.

The Tonys were heavy on celebrity influence last year as well.

Click the pics to see more glamour from the red carpet — and check back as we continue to add to the gallery.

Live blogging of the award ceremony will start around 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Awards Tracker. Starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, Times arts and entertainment editor Lisa Fung and New York arts correspondents Patrick Pacheco and James C. Taylor will be providing commentary on the evening’s event on The Envelope.

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In New York, 2010 Tony Awards’ red carpet looks a lot like Hollywood

— Christie D’Zurilla

Left photo: Andrew Rannells of ‘The Book of Mormon.’ Credit: Lucas Jackson / Reuters.

Right photo: David Burtka, left, and 2011 Tony Awards host Neil Patrick Harris. Credit: Lucas Jackson / Reuters.