Talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, the tireless supporter of Broadway who hosted the acclaimed 1997 Tony Awards broadcast, will be back to host the 1998 awards on June 7, The New York Times reported Feb. 3.No source was given for the story.
O'Donnell's stint as host -- and her promotion thereof -- are credited with increasing the broadcast's viewing audience by 48 percent from 1996. The 1998 show is scheduled to be broadcast starting at 9 PM on CBS-TV once again.
The Times said there is no word on whether the ceremony will again be held at Radio City Music Hall.
Tony spokesman Keith Sherman said the Times report was accurate, and promised that more details on this year's Tony's would be announced "in the very near future."
-- By Robert Viagas
