Hawai'i's Loretta Ables Sayre today earned a Tony Award nomination for her role as Bloody Mary in the hit revival production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific." It's her first bid for theater's top prize and her first time on Broadway.

Ables Sayre, 50, was one of four cast members among the 11 nominations "South Pacific" garnered. She is a contender for best performance by a featured actress in a musical. "South Pacific" also made the cut for best revival of a musical.

"I'm so ecstatic; I don't know what chance I have (to win), but it doesn't matter. To be nominated in my very first show in New York and on Broadway...I'm just stunned," she said.

"Imagine coming from 'You Somebody' at Diamond Head Theatre to Lincoln Center to the Tony Awards. I would say it's whirlwind. I'm over the moon and up in the stars — elated and blessed."

Producers initially auditioned Ables Sayre in Honolulu last year, then she cinched the role in a call-back tryout in New York.

The other key "South Pacific" nominations: