RP239 Tony Awards

 RP239 Tony Awards

In 1947, the American Theater Wing, which supports theater education and celebrates theatrical excellence, decided to celebrate even more. It decided that American theater needed a yearly award to honor the best performers, designers, directors, and other staff who help create plays and musicals. The Tony Awards was born.

The official name of the Tonys is the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theater. The award was named after Ms. Perry, an actress, director, and producer of plays. Ms. Perry worked tirelessly to create non-profit organizations to help support new artists. When she died in 1946, it seemed fitting to honor her by naming theater's biggest award after her.

The first award ceremony was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. There was dinner, dancing, and entertainment, but there weren't any actual awards. Men got money clips as prizes. Women got gold bracelets and compacts. Even a scroll and a cigarette lighter were handed out! As with most entertainment awards shows, the recognition from colleagues was far more important than the value of the prizes.

By 1949, the Tony medallion was being awarded to winners. From the original 11 award categories, the Tonys has grown to include 26 competitive awards and several more special noncompetitive awards. Categories include best actor and actress, best play and musical, best music and lyrics, and technical awards for lighting, costumes, sound, and, of course, directing. The most awards ever won by one production is 12, awarded to the show The Producers in 2001. Producer and director Harold Prince has garnered the most individual awards, with 21.

His wins point to some criticism of the Tony Awards: that they are just a way for a few producers to promote their shows. Proponents of the Tonys insist that isn't the case. They say the awards honor great productions, give the theater community a chance to bond, and give theater the boost it needs to compete with movies, TV, and other entertainment.