The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards® got their start in 1947 when the Wing established an awards program to celebrate excellence in the theatre. Named for Antoinette Perry, an actress, director, producer, and the dynamic wartime leader of the American Theatre Wing who had passed away the previous year, the Tony Awards made their official debut at a dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Easter Sunday, April 6th, 1947. Vera Allen, Perry's successor as chairwoman of the Wing, presided over an evening that included dining, dancing, and a program of entertainment.
This was a big year for "A CHORUS LINE" which was honored with nine Tony Awards. Among those honored at the 1975-76 Tony's with acting awards were GEORGE ROSE (My Fair Lady), DONNA McKECHNIE (A Chorus Line), SAMMY WILLIAMS (A Chorus Line), KELLY BISHOP (A Chorus Line), JOHN WOOD (Travesties), IRENE WORTH (Sweet Bird of Youth), EDWARD HERRMANN (Mrs. Warren's Profession) and SHIRLEY KNIGHT (Kennedy's Children).
The award for "Best Musical" went to "A CHORUS LINE", "Best Book of a Musical" to JAMES KIRKWOOD, Jr. and NICHOLAS DANTE (A Chorus Line) and "Best Original Score" to MARVIN HAMLISCH and EDWARD KLEBAN (A Chorus Line). "Best Play" went to TOM STOPPARD (Travesties), "Best Choreography" to MICHAEL BENNETT and BOB AVIAN (A Chorus Line), "Best Direction of a Musical" to MICHAEL BENNETT (A Chorus Line) and "Best Direction of a Play" to ELLIS RABB (The Royal Family).
The hosts of the Thirtieth Annual Tony Awards were Eddie Albert, Richard Burton, Jane Fonda, Diana Rigg, George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere and presenting awards were Alan Arkin, Clifton Davis, Bonnie Franklin, Celeste Holm, Cloris Leachman, Michele Lee, Jerry Lewis, Hal Linden, Mary Martin, Mike Nichols, Christopher Plummer, Vanessa Redgrave, Marlo Thomas and Leslie Uggams.
A Special Tony Award was presented to RICHARD BURTON who performed a scene from Hamlet.
DETAILS: The eight panel, tri-fold chart measures 6 1/8" X 12" inches, is printed on a textured stock and includes alphabetized seating arrangements for the Supper Ball for those who were participants in the Thirtieth Annual Tony Awards.
CONDITION: (Please Note!) This seating chart belonged to someone at Table 67, who asked each of the other guests at the table to write their names on the back of the list (last scanned image). With the exception of light edge wear, this rare list is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard for safe transport.