It's the year of the gender bending Tony nominee. Yesterday the 2013 Tony Awards nominations were announced and the Cyndi Lauper-scored drag queen caper Kinky Boots led the pack with 13 nominations.

Closely following is the high energy British import Matilda: The Musical, based on the Roald Dahl memorable children's book. The show received twelve nominations.

Both shows now vie for best musical, and both have British origins.

Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 British movie about a shoe factory that struggles until it finds new life as the makers of fetish footwear for cross dressers. The songs are by Lauper and the book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein have made it a major crowd-pleaser on Broadway.

According to CBS a shows touring potential is a key factor for Tony voters. Kinky Boots also earned Fierstein a nod for best book and for its two leading men Billy Porter and Stark Sands.

Matilda is a spirited import from London, filled with Dahl's bleak and mordantly funny worldview that presents childhood as a savage battleground where good only narrowly overcomes evil.

Matilda earned nominations for choreography, Matthew Warchus' directing, Chris Nightingale's orchestrations, best book by Dennis Kelly, Tim Minchin for lyrics and songs, and the unspeakably funny Bertie Carvel won a richly deserved nomination for best leading role in a musical.

Irish playwright Colm Toibin's play The Testament of Mary won a coveted nomination for best new play.

About 870 voters will choose this years winners. Only Broadway shows that opened since April 26, 2012, are eligible. The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing will host the glittery ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on June 9.