The awards, Broadway's highest honor, have been broadcast on CBS since 1978.  This will be the first year that the show will be broadcast live from The Beacon Theatre, which is part of the Madison Square Garden portfolio of venues. (As previously reported, Radio City Music Hall, the home of the Tony Awards for the past several years, is unavailable for this year's awards show.)

Broadway productions must open by April 28, 2011, to be eligible for nomination in the 2010-2011 season.

"We're excited to bring the Tony Awards to the Beacon Theatre. We very much look forward to taking this amazing evening honoring the very best in theatre, and presenting it to America and the world, from a new venue - completely invigorated with a fresh feel, new set and a clean palette to create from,” said Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment, executive producers for the telecast, in a statement.  "In a year that is already shaping up to have some great nominations and television moments to remember, we anticipate this year's Tonys to be a very exciting evening, which we are thrilled to stage at the Beacon Theatre."

The Tony Awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.

The Beacon Theatre is located at 2124 Broadway between West 74th and 75th streets. For more information visit www.TonyAwards.com.