The Tony Honors, according to a press statement, "recognize contributions to the field of theatre for individuals and organizations that are not eligible in any of the established Tony categories." This year's honorees include the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, Forbidden Broadway and its creator Gerard Alessandrini, Samuel (Biff) Liff and Ellen Stewart.
Presenters will include Tony winners Angela Lansbury, Manny Azenberg, Andre DeShields, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
The BMI Workshop has nurtured new musical theatre talent for over 45 years. Among the writers who were trained at the workshop include Maury Yeston, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens.
Samuel (Biff) Liff is a senior vice president of the William Morris Agency. Throughout his lengthy career he has been an associate producer to David Merrick, the Broadway stage manager of My Fair Lady, and he currently represents such theatre icons as Jerry Herman and Chita Rivera.
Gerard Alessandrini is the creator of the long-running Off-Broadway revue Forbidden Broadway, which pokes fun at the theatre and its many stars. Ellen Stewart is the founder/director of La MaMa E.T.C., which has presented over 2,000 productions since its launch in 1961.
Host Cynthia Nixon won a Tony Award for her turn in the Broadway run of David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole. The actress known to many for her television role as Miranda on the HBO series "Sex and the City," grew up on the New York boards. Her double duty on Broadway's Hurlyburly and The Real Thing (appearing simultaneously in both shows) is legendary theatrical trivia. She earned her first Tony Award nomination for Indiscretions. Her more recent credits include The Women, String Fever and The Country Club.
The American Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards are presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing. For more information about the Tony Awards visit www.tonyawards.com.
*
The 61st Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards will be presented at Radio City Music Hall June 10, 2007.
