Brian d'Arcy James hopes 3rd nomination is a Tony charm

NEW YORK (WABC) -- More than two decades have passed since his Broadway debut, and it's been more than five years since Brian d'Arcy James last appeared as Shrek, the role that established him as a Broadway star. On Sunday, June 7, he will learn if years of hard work will earn him a Tony Award and it's easy to see why he's the favorite to win.

Enjoying yourself is easier when your show is up for 10 Tony Awards, including one for d'Arcy James, who is hoping his third nomination proves to be the charm.

"When you're celebrating Broadway, it's nice to be included in the conversation," he said.

From the time he first heard the score, the Broadway veteran knew "Something Rotten" was something special.

"It's a love letter to the theater first and foremost, and it embraces everything we love about musicals," d'Arcy James said.

It's about the very first musical.

"The twist is: I play a guy who's trying to get out beneath the shadow of William Shakespeare," he explained.

And old Bill Shakespeare looks and acts like a rock star, so he's a tough act to follow.

"And, in order to do that I inadvertently create the very first musical," d'Arcy James said.

What happens next literally stops the show every night.

"Every night at about 8:30 this numbers kinda rocking 44th Street, and people are literally standing up in the middle of the show, which I have never experienced," d'Arcy James said.

It's that connection to an audience every performer seeks.

"That is extraordinarily special so I feel very grateful to be in that position," d'Arcy James said.

As a young man, d'Arcy James was inspired to pursue acting by his uncle: Brian Kelly, a TV star best known for the series "Flipper". His advice to young Brian was simple: "never act with a dolphin."