Tony Awards

Tony Awards, officially the Antoinette Perry Awards, prizes presented annually by the American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers in recognition of excellence in Broadway theater productions. The awards are given in 20 categories, including best play, best musical, best performances, direction, design, choreography, and music and lyrics. Special awards are also given for notable accomplishments by theater artists or groups.

The first Tony Awards were given in 1947 by the American Theatre Wing and named after that organization’s first president; award winners were originally determined by the Wing’s board of directors. In 1967, when the awards ceremony was first televised on a major network, the voting procedure was expanded to include approximately 650 theater professionals. At the same time, the League of American Theatres and Producers (then known as the League of New York Theatres) began a relationship with the Wing that in 1987 evolved into a partnership in the presentation and administration of the awards. Early presentations were held in a hotel ballroom and prior to 1967 were broadcast occasionally on local radio and local television stations.

The first Tony Award recipients received a scroll and either a sterling silver compact or a gold cigarette lighter. Beginning in 1949 a silver medallion, designed by artist Herman Rosse, was presented to winners. Since 1967 the medallion has been suspended in a silver arc and mounted on an onyx base.