It is no surprise that celluloid superhero Patrick Stewart ("Star Trek: The Next Generation," "X-Men"), could be boldly going where no man has gone before: that is, to finally break the Tony Awards curse that has befallen "Macbeth." Since the Tonys began in 1947, five other actors — who all received Tony nods, if not wins, at some point in their career — have played the Scottish king on Broadway, but none has been nominated for that performance.

Those who found that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown were: Michael Redgrave (1948); Paul Rogers (1956); Philip Anglim (1981); Nicol Williamson (1982); and Christopher Plummer (1988). (The less said about the mess that was the Kelsey Grammer led production in 2000 the better.)

However, Stewart, a respected British stage actor, picked up both an Outer Critics Circle nomination and a Drama League nod this week for his work. And he is likely to be recognized by the Drama Desk next week, which has nominated him twice in the past as best actor and gave him a special award for his solo performance in "A Christmas Carol" in 1992.

Last year, Stewart won the Evening Standard Award for the London run of the Scottish play. While he was nominated for the Olivier Award –- the English equivalent to the Tony –- he lost to another Shakespearean actor, "Othello" star Chiwetel Ejiofor.

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