Editing Tony Awards

{{Short description|Annual awards for Broadway theatre}}
{{Redirect|Tonys|other uses|Tony (disambiguation){{!}}Tony}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox award
| name = Tony Award
| previous_awards = 77th Tony Awards
| previous_date = {{start date|2024|6|16}}
| pending_awards = 
| pending_date = 
| next_awards = 78th Tony Awards
| next_date = 
| image = Tony Award Medallion.jpg
| imagesize = 225px
| caption = The Tony Award medallion designed by [[Herman Rosse]] in 1949, mounted on its [[37th Tony Awards|1983]] base; its current base (since 2010) is similar.
| image2 = Tony Awards.jpg
| caption2 = Tony Awards logo
| awarded_for = Excellence in [[Broadway theatre]]
| presenter = [[American Theatre Wing]] and [[The Broadway League]]
| country = United States
| firstawarded = {{Start date and age|1947|4|6}} by [[American Theatre Wing]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}

The '''Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre''',<ref>American Theatre Wing. [http://www.tonyawards.com/pdf/Trademark_Rules_2104.pdf "2014 Rules for use of Tony Awards trademarks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409113249/http://www.tonyawards.com/pdf/Trademark_Rules_2104.pdf |date=April 9, 2017 }} tonyawards.com, April 8, 2017</ref> more commonly known as a '''Tony Award''', recognizes excellence in live [[Broadway theatre]]. The awards are presented by the [[American Theatre Wing]] and [[The Broadway League]]<ref>Gans, Andrew (December 18, 2007).  [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113654.html "League of American Theatres and Producers Announces Name Change"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221090634/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113654.html |date=December 21, 2007 }}. ''[[Playbill]]''.  Retrieved September 13, 2013.  The League of American Theatres and Producers was renamed "The Broadway League".</ref> at an annual ceremony in [[Manhattan]]. The ceremony is usually held in June.

The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances. One is also given for [[Regional theatre in the United States|regional theatre]]. Several discretionary non-competitive awards are given as well, including a [[Special Tony Award]], the [[Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre]], and the [[Isabelle Stevenson Award]].<ref>Staff (undated).  [http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/about/index.html "Who's Who"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223002914/http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/about/index.html |date=December 23, 2016 }}. tonyawards.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref>
 
The awards were founded by theatre producer and director [[Brock Pemberton]]. They are named after [[Antoinette Perry|Antoinette "Tony" Perry]], an actress, producer and theatre director who was co-founder and secretary of the American Theatre Wing. The trophy consists of a spinnable medallion, with faces portraying an adaptation of the comedy and tragedy masks, mounted on a black base with a pewter swivel.

The rules for the Tony Awards are set forth in the official document "Rules and Regulations of The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards", which applies for that season only.<ref name=rules>[http://www.tonyawards.com/pdf/2014_Tony_Rules_Regulations_April_25.pdf "Tony Awards Rules and Regulations for 2013–14 season"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702095413/http://www.tonyawards.com/pdf/2014_Tony_Rules_Regulations_April_25.pdf |date=July 2, 2017 }} tonyawards.com, accessed June 12, 2014</ref> The Tony Awards are the New York theatre industry's equivalent to the [[Emmy Award]]s for [[Television in the United States|television]], the [[Grammy Award]]s for [[Music of the United States|music]], and the [[Academy Awards]] (Oscars) for [[Cinema of the United States|film]]. A person who has won all four is said to have won the [[List of people who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards|EGOT]]. The Tony Awards are the [[Theater in the United States|U.S.]] equivalent of the [[Theatre of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]'s [[Laurence Olivier Awards]] and [[Theatre of France|France]]'s [[Molière Award]]s.

==Award categories==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Most recent Tony Award winners
| 2data1 = [[Jeremy Strong]]<br>(''[[An Enemy of the People]]'')
| image1 = Jeremy Strong 2014.jpg
| 2data2 = [[Sarah Paulson]]<br>(''[[Appropriate (play)|Appropriate]]'')
| image2 = TIFF 2019 sarah paulson (48700773398) (cropped).jpg
| 2data4 = [[Jonathan Groff]]<br>(''[[Merrily We Roll Along (musical)|Merrily We Roll Along]]'')
| image4 = Jonathan Groff at Outfest 2013 (cropped).jpg
| after_election = ''[[The Outsiders (musical)|The Outsiders]]''<br><br>'''Best Play'''<br>''[[Stereophonic (play)|Stereophonic]]''
| 2data5 = [[Maleah Joi Moon]]<br>(''[[Hell's Kitchen (musical)|Hell's Kitchen]]'')
| image5 = Maleah joi moon 2024 2.jpg
| 2data7 = [[Danya Taymor]]<br>(''[[The Outsiders (musical)|The Outsiders]]'')
| image7 = Danya Taymor in 2024.jpg
| 2data8 = [[Daniel Aukin]]<br>(''[[Stereophonic (play)|Stereophonic]]'')
| image8 = daniel aukin 2024 3.jpg
| before_election = ''[[Kimberly Akimbo (musical)|Kimberly Akimbo]]''<br><br>'''Previous Best Play'''<br>''[[Leopoldstadt (play)|Leopoldstadt]]''
| election_date = [[77th Tony Awards|2024 Tony Awards]]
| 1blank = Award
| type = primary
| ongoing = 2056
| previous_election = 76th Tony Awards
| previous_year = 2023
| next_election = 78th Tony Awards
| next_year = 2025
| 2blank = Winner
| title = Best Musical
| 1data1 = [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play|Best Leading Actor in a Play]]
| 1data2 = [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play|Best Leading Actress in a Play]]
| 1data4 = [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Leading Actor in a Musical]]
| 1data5 = [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Leading Actress in a Musical]]
| 1data7 = [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
| 1data8 = [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play|Best Direction of a Play]]
| image8_size = 160x160px
}}

{{As of|2014}}, there were 26 categories of awards, in addition to several special awards. Starting with 11 awards in 1947, the names and number of categories have changed over the years. Some examples: the category Best Book of a Musical was originally called "Best Author (Musical)". The category of Best Costume Design was one of the original awards. For two years, in 1960 and 1961, this category was split into Best Costume Designer (Dramatic) and Best Costume Designer (Musical). It then went to a single category, but in 2005 it was divided again. For the category of Best Director of a Play, a single category was for directors of plays and musicals prior to 1960.<ref>Pesner, Ben. [http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/news/articles/2009-04-27/200502021107372432593.html "The Tony Awards – Category by Category"] tonyawards.com , accessed June 12, 2014</ref>

A newly established non-competitive award, The [[Isabelle Stevenson Award]], was given for the first time at the awards ceremony in 2009. The award is for an individual who has made a "substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations."<ref>Gans, Andrew (October 8, 2008). [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/122167.html "Tony Awards to Present Isabelle Stevenson Award in May 2009"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211010001/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/122167.html |date=December 11, 2008 }} ''[[Playbill]]''. Retrieved September 2013.</ref>

The category of [[Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event|Best Special Theatrical Event]] was retired as of the 2009–2010 season.<ref>Gans, Andrew (June 18, 2009).[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130376-Tony_Awards_Retire_Special_Theatrical_Event_Category "Tony Awards Retire Special Theatrical Event Category"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629230812/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130376-Tony_Awards_Retire_Special_Theatrical_Event_Category |date=June 29, 2009 }}. ''[[Playbill]]''. Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref> The categories of Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical were retired as of the 2014–2015 season.<ref>Bowgen, Philippe. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192282-Tony-Award-Administration-Committee-Eliminates-Sound-Design-Categories "Tony Award Administration Committee Eliminates Sound Design Categories"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613025503/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192282-Tony-Award-Administration-Committee-Eliminates-Sound-Design-Categories |date=June 13, 2014 }} playbill.com, June 11, 2014</ref> On April 24, 2017, the Tony Awards administration committee announced that the Sound Design Award would be reintroduced for the 2017–2018 season.<ref name="americantheatre.org">American Theatre Editors (April 24, 2017). [http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/04/24/tony-awards-to-reinstate-sound-design-categories/ "Tony Awards to Reinstate Sound Design Categories"] ''[[American Theatre (magazine)|American Theatre]]'' Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref>

===Performance categories===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical]]

{{div col end}}

===Show and technical categories===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Best Revival of a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Book of a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestrations]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design in a Musical|Best Scenic Design in a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical|Best Costume Design in a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a Musical|Best Lighting Design in a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design of a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Play|Best Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play|Best Revival of a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play|Best Direction of a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design in a Play|Best Scenic Design in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Play|Best Costume Design in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a Play|Best Lighting Design in a Play]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design of a Play]]

{{div col end}}

===Special awards===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Regional Theatre Tony Award]]
* [[Special Tony Award]] (includes Lifetime Achievement Award)
* [[Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre]]
* [[Isabelle Stevenson Award]]

{{div col end}}

===Retired awards===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Tony Award for Best Author|Best Author]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director|Best Conductor and Musical Director]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]] {{small|(split into two categories: [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical|Best Costume Design in a Musical]] and [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Play|Best Costume Design in a Play]])}}
* [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]] {{small|(split into two categories: [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a Musical|Best Lighting Design in a Musical]] and [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a Play|Best Lighting Design in a Play]])}}
* [[Tony Award for Best Newcomer|Best Newcomer]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Revival|Best Revival]] {{small|(split into two categories: [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Best Revival of a Musical]] and [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play|Best Revival of a Play]])}}
* [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design|Best Scenic Design]] {{small|(split into two categories: [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design in a Musical|Best Scenic Design in a Musical]] and [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design in a Play|Best Scenic Design in a Play]])}}
* [[Tony Award for Best Stage Technician|Best Stage Technician]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event|Best Special Theatrical Event]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Director|Best Director]] {{small|(split into two categories: [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]] and [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play|Best Direction of a Play]])}}

{{div col end}}

==History==
{{main|List of Tony Awards ceremonies}}
The award was founded in 1947 by a committee of the [[American Theatre Wing]] (ATW), headed by Brock Pemberton. The award is named after [[Antoinette Perry]], nicknamed Tony, an actress, director, producer and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, who died in 1946.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.playbill.com/news/article/151710-FROM-THE-2011-TONY-PLAYBILL-Who-Was-the-Original-Tony | first = Ellis | last = Nassour | title = From The 2011 Tony Playbill: Who Was the Original 'Tony'? | work = [[Playbill]] | date = June 10, 2011 | access-date = July 4, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130506203106/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/151710-FROM-THE-2011-TONY-PLAYBILL-Who-Was-the-Original-Tony | archive-date = May 6, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> As her official biography at the Tony Awards website states, "At <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Warner Bros.]] story editor] Jacob Wilk's suggestion, [Pemberton] proposed an award in her honor for distinguished stage acting and technical achievement. At the initial event in 1947, as he handed out an award, he called it a Tony. The name stuck."<ref name="tony">{{cite web| url = http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/history/perry.html |  first = Ellis | last= Nassour | title = Who Is 'Tony'? | publisher =tonyawards.com | access-date = September 13, 2013}}</ref> Nevertheless, the awards were sometimes referred to as the "Perry Awards" in their early years.<ref>{{cite news |title=20 Stage Notables Get Perry Awards |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 7, 1947 |page=40}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Drama, Musical Win Perry Prizes |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 30, 1953 |page=26}}</ref>

The [[1st Tony Awards]] was held on April 6, 1947, at the [[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel|Waldorf Astoria]] hotel in New York City.<ref>[[Ken Bloom (writer)|Bloom, Ken]] (2004). [https://books.google.com/books?id=GBiEO8q59f0C&dq=Waldorf+%22Tony+Awards%22&pg=PA531 "Tony Award"] ''Broadway{{spaced ndash}} Its History, People and Places''. [[Taylor & Francis]]. p. 531. {{ISBN|978-0-415-93704-7}}.</ref> The first prizes were "a scroll, cigarette lighter and articles of jewelry such as 14-carat gold compacts and bracelets for the women, and money clips for the men".<ref name=history>{{cite news | last = Nassour | first = Ellis | url = http://www.playbill.com/news/article/151713-FROM-THE-2011-TONY-PLAYBILL-Tony-Awards-at-65-Then-and-Now | title = From the 2011 Tony Playbill: Tony Awards at 65 – Then and Now | work = [[Playbill]] | date = June 12, 2011 | access-date = September 13, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130506203019/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/151713-FROM-THE-2011-TONY-PLAYBILL-Tony-Awards-at-65-Then-and-Now | archive-date = May 6, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> ATW co-founder [[Louise Heims Beck]] was responsible for overseeing the organization of the first awards.<ref>{{cite news| work= [[The New York Times]] | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1978/03/17/110805260.html?pageNumber=33|title=Louise Heims Beck, Widow of the Producer And a Founder of American Theater Wing|first= Alfred E.|last= Clark|date= March 17, 1978 |page= 33}}{{subscription required}}</ref> It was not until the third awards ceremony in 1949 that the first Tony medallion was given to award winners.<ref name=history/>

Since 1967, the award ceremony has been broadcast on U.S. national television and includes songs from the nominated musicals, and occasionally has included video clips of, or presentations about, nominated plays. The American Theatre Wing and [[The Broadway League]] jointly present and administer the awards. Audience size for the telecast is generally well below that of the Academy Awards shows, but the program reaches an affluent audience, which is prized by advertisers. According to a June 2003 article in ''[[The New York Times]]'': "What the Tony broadcast does have, say CBS officials, is an all-important demographic: rich and smart. Jack Sussman, CBS's senior vice president in charge of specials, said the Tony show sold almost all its advertising slots shortly after CBS announced it would present the three hours. 'It draws upscale premium viewers who are attractive to upscale premium advertisers,' Mr. Sussman said..."<ref>Jesse McKinley (June 1, 2003).  [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/arts/theater-the-tony-awards-is-there-a-tony-doctor-in-the-house.html?scp=1&sq=tony%20doctor%20house&st=cse "The Tony Awards; Is There a Tony Doctor in the House"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.  Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref><ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2013|reason=this attribution not really needed anyway since there is nyt citation}} [http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/archive/index.html Tony Homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316035442/http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/archive/index.html |date=March 16, 2008 }} tonyawards.com</ref> The viewership has declined from the early years of its broadcast history (for example, the number of viewers in 1974 was 20&nbsp;million; in 1999, 9.2&nbsp;million) but has settled into between six and eight million viewers for most of the decade of the 2000s.<ref>Gorman, Bill (June 10, 2011).[https://web.archive.org/web/20110613003153/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/10/guess-this-years-tony-awards-viewership-poll-ratings-history/95299/ "Guess This Year's 'Tony Awards' Viewership (Poll) + Ratings History"]. [[TV by the Numbers]]. Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref> In contrast, the 2009 Oscar telecast had 36.3&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>Bierly, Mandi (February 24, 2009). [http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/02/oscars-dollhous.html "Ratings: Oscars Up, 'Dollhouse' Down"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227082710/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/02/oscars-dollhous.html |date=February 27, 2009}}. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref> From 1987 to 2004, the award ceremony was represented by long-time Broadway press agency, [[Keith Sherman & Associates]].

=== Medallion ===
The Tony Award medallion was designed by [[art director]] [[Herman Rosse]] and is a mix of mostly [[brass]] and a little [[bronze]], with a [[Electroless nickel plating|nickel plating]] on the outside; a black acrylic glass base, and the nickel-plated pewter swivel.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.playbill.com/features/article/118031.html | last = Pincus-Roth | first = Zachary | title = Ask Playbill.com: Tony Statuettes | work = [[Playbill]] | date = May 22, 2008 | access-date = September 13, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081208071125/http://www.playbill.com/features/article/118031.html | archive-date = December 8, 2008 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The face of the medallion portrays an adaptation of the comedy and tragedy masks. Originally, the reverse side had a relief profile of Antoinette Perry; this later was changed to contain the winner's name, award category, production and year. The medallion has been mounted on a black base since 1967.<ref>{{cite web | author = Staff | url = http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/about/faq/index.html#20 | title = Tony Awards FAQ | publisher = tonyawards.com | access-date = September 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Staff | url = http://americantheatrewing.org/tony/history_of_the_tony_awards.php | title = A History of the Tony Awards | publisher = [[American Theatre Wing]] | access-date = September 13, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130716221216/http://americantheatrewing.org/tony/history_of_the_tony_awards.php | archive-date = July 16, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

A larger base was introduced and first presented in the 2010 award ceremony. That base is slightly taller{{spaced ndash}} {{convert|5|in|cm}}, up from {{convert|3+1/4|in|cm}}{{spaced ndash}} and heavier{{spaced ndash}} {{convert|3+1/2|lb|kg}}, up from {{convert|1+1/2|lb|g|abbr=off}}. This change was implemented to make the award "feel more substantial" and easier to handle at the moment the award is presented to the winners, according to Howard Sherman, the executive director of the American Theatre Wing:

{{blockquote|We know the physical scale of the [[Academy Awards|Oscars]], [[Emmy Award|Emmys]] and [[Grammy Award|Grammys]]. While we're not attempting to [[keep up with the Joneses]], we felt this is a significant award, and it could feel and look a bit more significant... By adding height, now someone can grip the Tony, raise it over their head in triumph and not worry about keeping their grip. Believe me, you can tell the difference.<ref>Piepenburg, Erik. [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/tony-gets-a-mini-makeover/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=theater&_r=0&gwh=ED5ADDAAACB01991ECC707B9B68915C5&gwt=pay# "Tony Gets a Mini-Makeover"] ''The New York Times'', June 10, 2010</ref>}}

For the specific Tony Awards presented to a Broadway production, awards are given to the author and up to two of the producers free of charge. All other members of the above-the-title producing team are eligible to purchase the physical award. Sums collected are designed to help defray the cost of the Tony Awards ceremony itself. An award cost $400 as of at least 2000, $750 as of at least 2009, and, as of 2013, had been $2,500 "for several years", according to Tony Award Productions.<ref name=nytpurchase>{{cite news |  title = Broadway Success Has a Price: $2,500 | url = http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/07/04/theater/theaterspecial/broadway-success-has-a-price-2500.html | first = Patrick | last= Healy | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = July 4, 2013 | access-date = July 4, 2013}}</ref>

==Details of the Tony Awards==
''Source: Tony Awards Official Site, Rules<ref name=rulesandreg>Staff (undated). [http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/about/rules.html "Rules & Voting"]. tonyawards.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref>''

===Rules for a new play or musical===
For the purposes of the award, a new play or musical is one that has not previously been produced on Broadway and is not "determined… to be a 'classic' or in the historical or popular repertoire", as determined by the Administration Committee (per Section (2g) of the Rules and Regulations).<ref name=rules/> The rule about "classic" productions was instituted by the Tony Award Administration Committee in 2002, and stated (in summary) "A play or musical that is determined ... to be a 'classic' or in the historical or popular repertoire shall not be eligible for an award in the Best Play or Best Musical Category but may be eligible in that appropriate Best Revival category."<ref>Gans, Andrew; Simonson, Robert (September 19, 2002). [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/72186-New-Tony-Awards-Ruling-on-Classic-Texts-May-Affect-Current-and-Upcoming-Shows "New Tony Awards Ruling on Classic Texts May Affect Current and Upcoming Shows"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024548/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/72186-New-Tony-Awards-Ruling-on-Classic-Texts-May-Affect-Current-and-Upcoming-Shows |date=September 28, 2013 }}.  ''[[Playbill]]''.  Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref> Shows transferred from [[Off-Broadway]] or the [[West End theatre|West End]] are eligible as "new", as are productions based closely on films.

This rule has been the subject of some controversy, as some shows, such as ''[[Hedwig and the Angry Inch (musical)|Hedwig and the Angry Inch]]'' and ''[[Violet (musical)|Violet]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/tonys-hedwig-violet-ineligible-best-musical-category-720036/|title=Tony Bosses Declare Broadway Debutantes 'Violet' & 'Hedwig' Ineligible For Best Musical Category|last=Gerard|first=Jeremy|date=April 25, 2014 |website=Deadline |language= en}}</ref> have been ruled ineligible for the "new" category, meaning that their authors did not have a chance to win the important awards of Best Play or Best Musical (or Best Score or Best Book for musicals). On the other hand, some people{{Who|date=April 2011}} feel that allowing plays and musicals that have been frequently produced to be eligible as "new" gives them an unfair advantage because they will have benefited from additional development time as well as additional familiarity with the Tony voters.

===Committees and voters===
The Tony Awards Administration Committee has twenty-four members: ten designated by the American Theatre Wing, ten by The Broadway League, and one each by the Dramatists Guild, Actors' Equity Association, United Scenic Artists and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. This committee, among other duties, determines eligibility for nominations in all awards categories.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/190384-Tony-Administration-Committee-Convenes-for-Final-Meeting-of-the-Season-April-25 "Tony Administration Committee Convenes for Final Meeting of the Season April 25"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426104049/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/190384-Tony-Administration-Committee-Convenes-for-Final-Meeting-of-the-Season-April-25 |date=April 26, 2014 }} playbill.com, April 25, 2014</ref>

The Tony Awards Nominating Committee makes the nominations for the various categories. This rotating group of theatre professionals is selected by the Tony Awards Administration Committee. Nominators serve three-year terms and are asked to see every new Broadway production.<ref name=nomin>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192264-50-Member-Tony-Awards-Nominating-Committee-Announced-for-2014-15-Season 50-Member Tony Awards Nominating Committee Announced for 2014–15 Season"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613070757/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192264-50-Member-Tony-Awards-Nominating-Committee-Announced-for-2014-15-Season |date=June 13, 2014 }} playbill.com, June 11, 2014</ref> The Nominating Committee for the 2012–13 Broadway season (named in June 2012) had 42 members;<ref>Jones, Kenneth (June 18, 2012). [https://archive.today/20130131134310/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/167162-Mark-Brokaw-Cheyenne-Jackson-Liza-Gennaro-Adam-Guettel-and-More-Join-Tony-Nominating-Committee-for-2012-13 "Mark Brokaw, Cheyenne Jackson, Liza Gennaro, Adam Guettel and More Join Tony Nominating Committee for 2012–13"]. ''[[Playbill]]''.  Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref> the Nominating Committee for the 2014–2015 season has 50 members and was appointed in June 2014.<ref name=nomin/>

There are approximately 868 eligible Tony Award voters (as of 2014),<ref name=rulesandreg/> a number that changes slightly from year to year. The number was decreased in 2009 when the first-night critics were excluded as voters.<ref>{{registration required|date=September 2013}} Healy, Patrick (July 15, 2009). [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/theater/theaterspecial/16tony.html?_r=1&8dpc "Tony Awards Committee Trims List of Voters, Citing Conflicts"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.  Retrieved July 15, 2009.</ref><ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131109-First-Nighters-Lose-Tony-Voting-Privilege "First-Nighters Lose Tony-Voting Privilege"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171547/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131109-First-Nighters-Lose-Tony-Voting-Privilege |date=July 14, 2014 }} playbill.com, July 14, 2009</ref> That decision was changed, and members of the [[New York Drama Critics' Circle]] were invited to be Tony voters beginning in the 2010–2011 season.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138184-Tony-Awards-Extend-Votes-to-Members-of-New-York-Drama-Critics-Circle "Tony Awards Extend Votes to Members of New York Drama Critics' Circle"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714154742/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/138184-Tony-Awards-Extend-Votes-to-Members-of-New-York-Drama-Critics-Circle |date=July 14, 2014 }} playbill.com, March 25, 2010</ref>

The eligible Tony voters include the board of directors and designated members of the advisory committee of the American Theatre Wing, members of the governing boards of Actors' Equity Association, the Dramatists Guild, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, United Scenic Artists, and the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, members of the Theatrical Council of the Casting Society of America and voting members of The Broadway League (in 2000, what was then The League of American Theaters and Producers changed membership eligibility and Tony voting status from a lifetime honor to all above-the-title producers, to ones who had been active in the previous 10 years. This action disenfranchised scores of Tony voters, including [[Gail Berman]], [[Harve Brosten]], [[Dick Button]], [[Tony Lo Bianco]], and [[Raymond Serra]]).

===Eligibility date (Season)===
To be eligible for Tony Award consideration, a production must have officially opened on Broadway by the eligibility date that the Management Committee establishes each year. For example, the cut-off date for eligibility the 2013–2014 season was April 24, 2014.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/183019-68th-Annual-Tony-Awards-Will-Be-Broadcast-Live-from-Radio-City-Music-Hall?tsrc=hph "68th Annual Tony Awards Will Be Broadcast Live from Radio City Music Hall"], Playbill, October 9, 2013. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211111/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/183019-68th-Annual-Tony-Awards-Will-Be-Broadcast-Live-from-Radio-City-Music-Hall?tsrc=hph |date=February 22, 2014 }}.</ref> The season for Tony Award eligibility is defined in the Rules and Regulations.

In 2020, the 74th Annual Tony Awards were postponed due to the [[COVID-19]] pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/major-events-cancelled-or-postponed-due-to-the-coronavirus-2020|title=Here is the latest major events that have been canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Cannes Film Festival, and the 74th Annual Tony Awards|last1=Casado|first2=Joey |last2=Hadden |first1=Laura |date=Apr 10, 2020 |website=Business Insider|access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref> On August 21, 2020, it was announced that the 74th Annual Tony Awards would take place digitally later in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/the-2020-tony-awards-to-be-held-digitally-this-fall|title=The 2020 Tony Awards to Be Held Digitally This Fall|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|website=Playbill|date=August 21, 2020|access-date=August 21, 2020}}</ref>

===Broadway theatre===
A Broadway theatre is defined as having 500 or more seats, among other requirements. While the rules define a Broadway theatre in terms of its size, not its geographical location, the list of Broadway theatres is determined solely by the Tony Awards Administration Committee. As of the 2016–2017 season, the list consisted solely of 41 theaters: 40 located in the vicinity of [[Times Square]] in New York City and [[Lincoln Center]]'s [[Vivian Beaumont Theater]].<ref>Pincus-Roth, Zachary (February 7, 2008). [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/114923.html "Ask Playbill.com: Broadway or Off-Broadway{{spaced ndash}} Part I"]. ''[[Playbill]]''.  Retrieved September 13, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/theater/hudson-theater-broadway.html|title=The Hudson Theater Is Back on Broadway|work=The New York Times |date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=September 4, 2018 |last1=Piepenburg |first1=Erik }}</ref>

== Criticism ==
While the theatre-going public may consider the Tony Awards to be the Oscars of live theatre, critics have suggested that the Tony Awards are primarily a promotional vehicle for a small number of large production companies and theatre owners in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Okrent, Daniel | author-link = Daniel Okrent | title = The Public Editor; There's No Business Like Tony Awards Business | work = [[The New York Times]] | date=  May 9, 2004 | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03EEDA143CF93AA35756C0A9629C8B63 | access-date = September 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303816504577309663296504788|title=Why Straight Plays Can't Make It on Broadway|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=Terry|last=Teachout|date=March 29, 2012|access-date=February 5, 2016|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In a 2014 ''[[Playbill]]'' article, [[Robert Simonson]] wrote that "Who gets to perform on the Tony Awards broadcast, what they get to perform, and for how long, have long been politically charged questions in the Broadway theatre community..." The producers "accept the situation ... because just as much as actually winning a Tony, a performance that lands well with the viewing public can translate into big [[box-office]] sales." Producer Robyn Goodman noted that, if the presentation at the ceremony shows well and the show wins a Tony, "you're going to spike at the box office".<ref>Simonson, Robert. [https://archive.today/20140613212957/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192237-Previews-of-Coming-Attractions-Tony-Awards-Favor-Future-Musicals-Over-Present-Ones/pg1 "Previews of Coming Attractions: Tony Awards Favor Future Musicals Over Present Ones"] playbill.com, June 12, 2014</ref>

The awards met further criticism when they eliminated the [[Tony Award for Best Sound Design|sound design awards]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Breaking News: Tony Awards Committee Meets – Changes Rules for Revival Authors, Erases 2 Creative Categories for 2014–15!|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Tony-Awards-Committee-Meets-Changes-Rules-for-Revival-Authors-Erases-2-Creative-Categories-for-2014-15-20140611#.U5jgd5Rymvk|website=Broadway World|access-date=June 9, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, a petition calling for the return of the Sound Design categories received more than 30,000 signatures.<ref>Cox, Gordon (April 24, 2017). [https://variety.com/2017/legit/news/tony-awards-sound-design-catogories-restored-1202393694/ "Tony Awards to Restore Sound Design Categories Next Season"] ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref> Addressing their previous concerns over Tony voters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/04/24/tony-awards-to-reinstate-sound-design-categories/|title=Tony Awards to Reinstate Sound Design Categories|publisher=American Theatre Wing|date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> in the category, it was announced that upon the awards' return for the 2017–2018 season, they would be decided by a subset of voters based on their expertise.<ref name="americantheatre.org"/><ref>McPhee, Ryan (April 24, 2017). [http://www.playbill.com/article/the-tony-awards-will-reinstate-the-best-sound-design-categories "The Tony Awards Will Reinstate the Best Sound Design Categories"] ''[[Playbill.com]]'' Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/legit/news/tony-awards-sound-design-catogories-restored-1202393694/|title=Tony Awards to Restore Sound Design Categories Next Season|first=Gordon|last=Cox|date=April 24, 2017}}</ref>

Some advocates of [[gender equality]] and [[non-binary]] people have criticized the separation of male and female acting categories in the Tony Awards, Academy Awards, and Emmy Awards. Though some commentators worry that [[gender discrimination]] would cause men to dominate unsegregated categories, other categories are unsegregated. The [[Grammy Awards]] went gender-neutral in 2012, while the [[Daytime Emmy Awards]] introduced a single [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series|Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series]] category in 2019 to replace their two gender-specific younger actor and actress categories.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/07/14/1015863360/nonbinary-gender-neutral-emmy-awards-oscars-tonys-mj-rodriguez-asia-kate-dillon |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |title=Best Actor Or Actress? Gender-Expansive Performers Are Forced To Choose |date=July 14, 2021 |first=Melissa|last=Block}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/daytime-emmy-awards-natas-national-academy-of-television-arts-and-sciences-gender-identity-1202772702/ |publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |title=Daytime Emmy Awards Eliminates Gender Distinction From Outstanding Younger Performer Category |date=October 30, 2019 |author=Dino-Ray Ramos}}</ref> In 2023, [[J. Harrison Ghee]] and [[Alex Newell]] became the first nonbinary actors to be nominated for Tony Awards. Both would go on to win in their respective categories. Fellow nonbinary performer Justin David Sullivan withdrew from Tony consideration due to the gendered categories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee Make History as First Nonbinary Actors Nominated for Tony Awards |url=https://people.com/theater/j-harrison-ghee-alex-newell-first-nonbinary-actors-nominated-for-tony-awards/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |date=2023-05-02|website=People|publisher=Dotdash Meredith|language=en|first1=Benjamin|last1=VanHoose}}</ref>

==Records==
{{Main|List of Tony Award records}}

==See also==
{{portal|New York City|Theatre}}
{{div col}}
* [[African-American Tony nominees and winners]]
* [[Drama Desk Award]]
* [[Helpmann Awards]]
* [[Laurence Olivier Awards]]
* [[List of Tony Awards ceremonies]]
* [[List of Tony Award-nominated productions]]
* [[Obie Award]]
* [[Society of London Theatre]]
* [[Theatre World Award]]
{{div col end}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}} ''Tony Award ® Productions''
* [http://www.cbs.com/shows/tony_awards/ Tony Awards (CBS official broadcast website)]
* [http://americantheatrewing.org American Theatre Wing (official website)]
* [http://broadwayleague.com The Broadway League (official website)]

{{Tony Awards}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Tony Awards| ]]
[[Category:American theater awards]]
[[Category:Performing arts trophies]]
[[Category:Annual events in New York City]]
[[Category:American annual television specials]]
[[Category:Broadway theatre]]
[[Category:CBS television specials]]
[[Category:Competitions in New York City]]
[[Category:Radio City Music Hall]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1947]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:1947 in New York City]]