June is bustin' out all over with Tonys' top nominees for Best Actor in a Musical, plus three of the funniest fellas around: John Hill (Skinny Corpse) and Billy Eichner and Robin Taylor (Creation Nation).

TONY'S PHENOMENAL NOMINEES

It's awards season, so here are notable quotes we gathered from the Drama League luncheon, the Drama Desk Awards and the Tony Awards press reception:

John Lloyd Young, "Jersey Boys": You've been so busy these days; how are you holding up? "My itinerary looks like Hillary Clinton's when she was running for Senate. There's not a single hour in the day that's free, but I like that. I'm a workaholic." How's it feel being in a show that's gotten so much Tony buzz? "Exciting. The show's such a hit, and J. Robert Spencer, Daniel Reichard and Christian Hoff are all great. If anything, J. Robert Spencer is the unsung hero of our group. His performance is one of the most layered and nuanced of all of us. Unfortunately, that kind of work goes unnoticed because you're not doing spins or wearing sequins." What was your reaction to the New York Post theatre column that suggested that you weren't doing all your own singing? "I didn't feel significantly successful enough yet to have someone attempt to bring me down, so it was very odd to see myself the subject of a gossip column. Michael Riedel never talked to me or else I would've set him straight on a lot of the innuendo. It was more misinformed than malicious." What's it like going through awards season with your girlfriend, Alison Franck? "Wonderful. She's the casting director at Paper Mill and knows everybody. It's been fun, and we've been together since March 2004." Any plans to marry? "We're very busy now, but we've had discussions, and the next role I'd like to play could be a life role, yes. That's as far as I'll go without giving myself away."

Harry Connick Jr., The Pajama Game: How’s it feel getting Tony-nominated for your Broadway acting debut? "It’s really cool, man. I haven’t had a chance to see the guys in my category, but I’ve met a bunch of them, and they’re all great and deserve to win." How's it doing eight shows a week? "It's been easier than being on the road because you’re staying in one place. I’ve also learned how wonderful the collaborative spirit is on Broadway." What’s it like working with Kelli O’Hara? "The best. Kelli’s just an amazing talent. And a big goofball. She makes weird faces and could win Stupid Human Tricks on the Letterman show. She’s got this vein in her arm that she can move all around, and she whistles with all these combinations of fingers and does all kinds of crap. She’s so funny." How was it shooting the last episode of "Will & Grace"? "Sad, but I loved playing Leo, and it was a thrill to know those people. Eric [McCormack] came to see me a few weeks ago and had such a good time." Do you think "Will & Grace" has expanded your gay fan base? "I don’t notice that about my fans, but I grew up in showbiz, so I have a lotta gay friends, and they’ve always been a big part of my life. In New Orleans, we’re very sexually expressive people. Anything goes." Finally, do you wear pajamas in real life? “Nope, I go commando, baby, all the way!"

Stephen Lynch, The Wedding Singer: What’s it like getting nominated for your Broadway debut playing Robbie Hart, alongside all these great guys? "It’s crazy. These are hypertalented people. It’s making me nervous. I’m proud of myself and my performance, but this is kind of a shocker. I really appreciate all the Tony nominations that our show got." Your leading lady, Laura Benanti, has been a two-time Tony nominee, so what’s it like sharing that long, steamy kiss with her in Act I? "That kiss used to be two seconds long. One day we realized that the longer it went, the more the audience would feel we were falling in love at that instant. It also makes the scene kinda funny when we’re mashing it up for a minute and a half." What’s your favorite moment in the show? "It changes all the time. One week, it was 'Come Out of the Dumpster' because I was so tired and got to lie in the dumpster and just listen to Laura sing. Another week, it was 'Casualty of Love' because I got to exorcise my demons onstage." One of the show’s unsung heroes is Matthew Saldivar, who plays your pal, Sammy. "Matt’s my man. He’s been there since day one of the readings. He’s an incredibly gifted actor and so instinctively funny." Speaking of weddings, some politicians want to pass a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. What do you think? "That’s ridiculous! Two people who love each other should be able to celebrate it in any way they see fit."

Michael Cerveris, Sweeney Todd: What's the sexiest thing about working with Patti LuPone? "Her fearlessness. She's adventurous, outrageous and fun. When you have to be as good as Patti LuPone onstage, you gotta be pretty darn good." Patti says she can see faces in the audience because the lighting is so bright. Can you? "I can see all the way to the back wall. I like to know who's in the house, so I won't be surprised. The night Len Cariou came, he was sitting next to [Brian] Stokes [Mitchell]. Afterward, it was such a thrill to go out with Len; he told me war stories about the original Sweeney, which I saw seven times." Even though this is your third Tony nomination, have you ever thought of quitting acting? "At least a dozen times. And that's matched by the other dozen of times when I think, 'They'll figure out that I really don't have any talent. My career's over.' Even after winning the Tony for Assassins, I wondered, 'Maybe this is it.'" Isn't it ironic that you play a barber even though you're bald? "I guess it's good advertising for my barber skills if I shave myself well. I've been shaving my head since Tommy [in 1993] because I wore a wig all the time; it was so much more comfortable to have it shaved." Some women love guys who are bald. Has it helped your love life? "Anyone who finds a murdering barber sexy is someone you gotta be kinda nervous about, but I'm grateful for any attention."

Bob Martin, The Drowsy Chaperone: Congrats on being the longest-running Canadian musical on Broadway! "It's true. We beat Billy Bishop Goes to War, which ran for 12 performances in 1982. We had champagne on the day we passed that mark. We also got a letter from the prime minister of Canada on our opening night, and it was a real thrill." Are you anything like your character, Man in Chair? "We're all a little like him. I'm a chronically, marginally depressed person, though I'm very happy today. I also have a disdain for ringing phones and a desire to be transported by theatre and a disappointment with a lot of the theatre I see." Your Man in Chair yearns for the days of the Gershwins and makes a wisecrack about Elton John ("Must we continue this charade?"). What do you think of Elton's musicals? "I love his music. You know what? That line was written six years ago. It's not about Lestat. It was written in response to the more pop-oriented musicals. I still haven't seen The Lion King. But I'd love to see Billy Elliott." What musicals do you obsess over? "I'm more into jazz and Steely Dan, but I love The Music Man, Guys and Dolls and Gypsy." Soon, your show will be the one that young fans obsess over. "More than anything else, I dream this show will be done in high schools. Some kid will get to say, 'I want to play Man in Chair!'"

Wayman Wong edits entertainment for The New York Daily News. He has been a movie and theater critic for The San Francisco Examiner, a writer for The Sondheim Review and a Drama-Logue Award-winning playwright.