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.
Among those honored at the 1997-98 Tony's with acting awards were ALAN CUMMING (Cabaret), NATASHA RICHARDSON (Cabaret), RON RIFKIN (Cabaret), AUDRA McDONALD (Ragtime), ANTHONY LaPAGLIA (A View From the Bridge), MARIE MULLEN (The Beauty Queen of Leenane), TOM MURPHY (The Beauty Queen of Leenane) and ANNA MANAHAN (The Beauty Queen of Leenane).
The award for "Best Musical" went to "THE LION KING", "Best Book of a Musical" to TERRENCE McNALLY (Ragtime) and "Best Original Score" to STEPHEN FLAHERTY and LYNN AHRENS (Ragtime). "Best Revival of a Play" went to Arthur Miller's "A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE", "Best Revival of a Musical" to John Kander and Fred Ebb's "CABARET", "Best Play" went to YASMINA REZA (Art), "Best Choreography" to GARTH FAGAN (The Lion King), "Best Direction of a Musical" to JULIE TAYMOR (The Lion King) and "Best Direction of a Play" to GARRY HYNES (The Beauty Queen of Leenane).
The host of the Fifty-Second Annual Tony Awards was Rosie O'Donnell and presenting awards were Mark Linn-Baker, Alec Baldwin, Annette Bening, Barry Bostwick, Nell Carter, Stockard Channing, Marilu Henner, Helen Hunt, Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Lahti, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, John Lithgow, Liam Neeson, Craig T. Nelson, Bebe Neuwirth, Jane Seymour, Marisa Tomei and Tommy Tune.
DETAILS:
This Talent Pass measures 2 7/8" X 4 3/4" inches and is protected in a laminated sleeve. The backside lists the names and extensions of members of Public Relations, Security and Event Coordinators.
CONDITION: With the exception of name crossed out on the backside with black felt pen, this rare pass 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.