The Tony Awards

Early Tony Awards

Brock Pemberton (1885-1950) is the founder of The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellency in the Theatre. The ceremony is named in honor of Antoinette Perry, who was a director and actress, most famously known for being a founder of the American Theatre Wing. Himself a theatrical producer, Brock Pemberton’s credits included Strictly Dishonorable and the original stage production of Harvey. A special Tony Award was bestowed upon him the year of his death, 1950.

The first Tony Award ceremony was held on April 6, 1947 in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The awards were named for Antoinette Perry not only for her achievements in American theatre, but because she had recently passed away. A gala event, a total of nineteen awards were given out to various performers, writers, and production artists. Famous winners at that very first ceremony included Ingrid Bergman, Arthur Miller and Elia Kazan. The first few Tony Awards presented winners with unofficial prizes, such as a cigarette lighter or engraved compact. In 1949, an official design for what is now the Tony Medallion was created. It remains the same to this day.

Tony Television

The Tony Award ceremony, now regarded as the theatrical equivalent of the Grammy’s, Emmy’s or Oscar’s, was once a much more intimate occasion. However, in 1967, that all changed when the first Tony Award was presented on national television. It was then that mainstream, Middle America began to take more notice of Broadway news and events. No longer in the ballrooms of hotels, the awards were now bestowed onstage in a Broadway theatre with all of the country watching.

The Tony’s offers something that other televised, entertainment ceremonies don’t. It combines a ceremony with lavish, theatrical performances. Although The Oscar’s and Grammy’s feature live musical performances, they are nothing compared to the Broadway numbers at The Tony Awards. Also, to win a Tony Award is slightly more prestigious to those dedicated to theatre and the roots of acting.

Winners of The 2006 Tony Awards

• Best Play- The History Boys
• Best Musical- Jersey Boys
• Best Book of a Musical- Bob Martin and Don McKellar, The Drowsy Chaperone
• Best Original Score, Music or Lyrics- Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, The Drowsy Chaperone
• Best Revival of a Play- Awake and Sing!
• Best Revival of a Musical- The Pajama Game
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play- Richard Griffiths, The History Boys
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play- Cynthia Nixon, Rabbit Hole
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical- John Lloyd Young, Jersey Boys
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical- LaChanze, The Color Purple
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play- Ian McDiarmid, Faith Healer
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play- Frances de la Tour, The History Boys
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical- Christian Hoff, Jersey Boys
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical- Beth Leavel, The Drowsy Chaperone
• Best Direction of a Play- Nicholas Hytner, The History Boys
• Best Direction of a Musical- John Doyle, Sweeney Todd
• Best Choreography- Kathleen Marshall, The Pajama Game