This morning out actor David Hyde Pierce (who won a Tony last year for Curtains) and Grey's Anatomy's Sara Ramirez (who won a Tony herself alongside Pierce in Spamalot a few years ago) announced the Tony nominations for 2008.

Best Musical: Xanadu, aka Gayness on Skates, was nominated (also for Best Book), as well as gay-pedigreed Cry-Baby (Cry-Baby also snagged a nom for Best Score and Best Book).

Best Actor in a Play: Out actor Ben Daniels (Beautiful Thing) was nominated for his brilliant (and revealing!) performance in Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Best Actress in a Musical: Xanadu's Kerry Butler was nominated, as was Faith Prince for the gay-themed A Catered Affair.

Featured Actor in a Play: Out actor Raul Esparza (Pushing Daisies) was nominated for The Homecoming. And gay-fave actor Bobby Cannevale (Will & Grace) was nominated for Mauritius.

Featured Actor in a Musical: Out actor Robin De Jesus (Camp) was nominated for In the Heights.

Best Choreography: Xanadu and Cry-Baby were both nominated.

And gay composer Stephen Sondheim will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award (deservedly!). 

Of course, the big disappointment is that multiple-threat hunk Cheyenne Jackson wasn't nominated for Best Actor for his short-short-filling turn in Xanadu. Sigh. Well, we know we still haven't seen the best of him (at least, I know I haven't!). Congrats to all the nominees! The Tony Awards will be handed out on June 15th, and you can check out the full list on noms after the break!

Fans of Cheyenne Jackson can rejoice, he's just been nominated for "Distinguished Performance" at this year's Drama League Awards for the smash Broadway musical Xanadu!

That's the good news. The bad news is that there are 69 other nominees for the same award (it reminds me of when I was in 5th grade, and was elected class president ... along with every other student in class, because our teacher didn't want anyone to feel left out). Cheyenne isn't the only out nominee; others include Charles Busch for Die Mommie Die!, Ben Daniels for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Nathan Lane for November, and Harvey Fierstein for the book for A Catered Affair.

Joining the out men are such gay faves as Christine Baranski, Bobby Cannavale, Angela Lansbury, Laura Linney, Faith Prince, and the most likely winner, Patti Lupone for Gypsy. Of special interest is nominee Terrence Howard, for his controversial performance in the revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

I'm not sure how they pick the winners, but if Cheyenne doesn't win, at least he'll be in fine company. After the break, you can see the clip that proves once again why he is deserving of all the accolades he's received, and still will receive (cross your fingers for a Tony nomination).

Neil Patrick Harris and boyfriend David Burtka at the Harold and Kumar premiere

It was a big gay night out for the casts and guests of upcoming comedy Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay and Broadway's A Catered Affair. Enjoy!

Neil Patrick Harris and Harold and Kumar co-star Kal Penn

Out actor B.D. Wong at the A Catered Affair opening

More pics after the jump!