The Tony, named in honor of Antoinette Perry, has been one of the theatre's most coveted awards and is bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. Antoinette Perry was Chairman of the Board and Secretary of the American Theatre Wing and insisted on high standards of quality. When she died the idea of giving a series of awards in her name as a tribute was conceived. For the first two years there was no actual statue as we know it but a scroll and a cigarette lighter or compact.
The award like the award ceremony has evolved over the years. The statue is 3 inches in diameter and depicts the masks of comedy and tragedy the stand measures approximately 3 1/4" by 3 1/4"
I've been to the Award ceremony a few times mostly because at three different points in my life I have been romantically involved with someone who has been an award winner in the past and was on the committee or who was eligible to vote... but a bit more about that later.
Here is a little about how it all works...
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The rules and regulations that govern the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards® are established by the Tony Awards Administration Committee, which is comprised of representatives appointed by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, the two organizations that jointly administer the Tony Awards. The committee also includes representatives of Actors' Equity Association, the Dramatists Guild, United Scenic Artists, and SDC, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
There are currently 26 competitive categories of Tony Awards:
Best Play
Best Musical
Best Book of a Musical
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Best Revival of a Play
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Best Costume Design of a Play
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a Play*
Best Sound Design of a Musical*
Best Direction of a Play
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Choreography
Best Orchestrations
*reinstated for 2018
In addition to competitive awards, the Tony Awards Administration Committee may bestow several varieties of special honors on deserving individuals or institutions.
Regional Theatre Tony Award
— Each year since 1976, the Tonys have recognized the achievements of resident theatre companies across the U. S. This award goes to a not-for-profit producing organization in or outside of New York City, based on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association.
Special Tony Award
— recognizes extraordinary contribution to the theatre
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
— honors an individual for the body of his or her work.
The Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award
— presented to a member of the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.
Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre
— recognizes the achievements of individuals and organizations that do not fit into any of the competitive categories.
The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University also present the Excellence in Theatre Education Award to a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S.
THE NOMINATIONS
The Tony Awards Nominating Committee is a rotating group of up to 50 theatre professionals selected by the Tony Awards Administration Committee. Nominators serve for overlapping three-year terms. They are asked to see every new Broadway production and then meet each year shortly after the Tony eligibility deadline. They determine the nominations based on secret ballots supervised by an accounting firm. The results are announced early the following morning.
HOW VOTING WORKS
When the Tony Awards were established in 1947, voting was limited to members of the boards of the American Theatre Wing and entertainment industry performer and craft unions. In 1954, voting eligibility was expanded to include other theatre professionals.
Today there are approximately 846 eligible voters, a number that fluctuates slightly from year to year. These include voting members of The Broadway League and the board of directors and designated members of the advisory committee of the American Theatre Wing, along with members of the governing boards of Actors' Equity Association; the Dramatists Guild; SDC, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society; United Scenic Artists; and the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers. Other eligible voters include members of the Theatrical Council of the Casting Society of America, the New York Drama Critics' Circle, the board/council of the National Association of Talent Representatives, and the Tony Awards Nominating Committee.
Voters are expected to attend all nominated productions; or at least to refrain from voting in any category in which they have not seen all of the nominees.
Voting by secret ballot takes place in the weeks before the June awards ceremony. Strict precautions are taken to assure that no one, save a limited number of representatives from the accounting firm that manages the voting, knows the name of the winners until they are announced on the Tony telecast.
Ties occur from time to time. For example in 2009, Billy Elliot, the Musical and Next to Normal.
The Awards are will be televised live from Radio City Music Hall on 10, June at 8:00 pm EDT
I have to admit this year I have not been to the theatre as much as in years past so I don't feel qualified to give my opinion on this years winners based on what I've seen this season but over the years I'm lucky to have seen among others performances by Colleen Dewhurst, Diahann Carroll, Sandy Dennis, Alice Ghostly, Liza Minelli, Jerry Orbach, Richard Burton, Vincent Gardenia, Alan Bates... the list goes on and on and it's the reason I've had a change of heart about revivals... there are shows that every generation should see and it's nice to see another performers interpretation of the role.
One of the perks of dating someone on the committee or who was voting was seeing every show nominated... the major draw back was I usually figured I did not want to spend the rest of my life with these people... but from them I learned a very valuable life lesson that still serves me to this day...
One of the perks of dating someone on the committee or who was voting was seeing every show nominated... the major draw back was I usually figured I did not want to spend the rest of my life with these people... but from them I learned a very valuable life lesson that still serves me to this day...
If you want a little glimpse backstage I recommend watching Francois Truffaut's masterpiece 'The Last Metro' it's a period piece and far from the backstage of a theater of today... but it will give you an idea of looking at the theatre from a completely different perspective...
See you in two weeks.
