Television versions of "Wit," "Peter Pan," "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific" and "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" were all 2001 Emmy Award nominees, announced July 12. The 53rd Annual Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Emmy Awards, recognizing excellence in TV work as chosen by the industry, gave nods to theatre folk and theatrical-based programming in its annual nominations. CBS will broadcast the awards live Sept. 16.

The A&E presentation of the Cathy Rigby version of "Peter Pan," the hit musical revival on the road and on Broadway, earned four nominations, including Outstanding Children's Program and Outstanding Choreography (the PBS airing of "Blast!" also got a choreography nom). Broadway's Peters (Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun) was nommed as a Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ally McBeal." The HBO version of the Pulitzer Prize-winner, "Wit," earned Emma Thompson and Audra McDonald noms for Outstanding Actress and Supporting Actress, respectively, in a Miniseries or Movie (the movie was also nommed for Outstanding Made for Television Movie, and Thompson was nommed for her teleplay in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or Movie).

"Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor" was also nommed for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.

Musical directors Paul Gemignani and Paul Boagev were a nommed for Outstanding Music Direction for PBS' "My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs" and ABC's "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific," respectively. The R&H TV movie did not earn major nominations, nor did a high-profile TV version of "On Golden Pond" with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

For a complete list of Emmy nominees, which includes Victor Garber, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, Edie Falco and other theatre names, go to emmys.com.

— By Kenneth Jones