75 Years of Tony Awards!

Every year in June, the theatre community on Broadway in New York honors the talented people from shows—both onstage and backstage—with the Tony Awards. The Tony Awards were originally started to honor Antoinette “Tony” Perry, an actress who started the American Theatre Wing in 1947, the year after her death. The honorary ceremony now consists of 30 awards.

The categories are much like the Oscar Awards for Cinema. For example, there are categories for Best Actor, Actress, Best Musical, Best Play, Costume Design, Book, Score, and more. The trophy for this award was created in 1949 and is still used to this day: the Greek Masks of Comedy and Tragedy.

If you’re still hesitant about attending live events, that’s okay. I have got you covered with all of your Broadway needs:

• Check out Freegal Music and make your own playlist from some of the top show-tune albums, including Kinky Boots, Moulin Rouge, Evita starring Ricky Martin, Sound of Music, Annie, Anything Goes, Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, Dream Girls, Into the Woods, Hairspray, and a personal favorite of mine, Ragtime.
• Additionally, explore this list in the Library’s catalog of some of the top winners throughout the 75 Tonys for Best Musical or Revival on CD.
• Did you know that MCPL has many of the books, scores, and films of these award-winning plays and musicals? Do you want to watch some live musicals from the comfort of your own home? Check out our Broadway at the Movies list for DVDs and Blu-Rays of some award-winning performances. Let it be noted that almost every single award-winning play or musical has been adapted to the big screen. If, by chance, you don’t see a favorite play or musical on this list, check out the Library’s online catalog for many more options.
• Have you ever wanted to put on a show or follow a career path onstage or backstage in theatre? Check out these helpful resources to find some of the unique jobs in the theatre: User's Guide to Putting on a Show.
• Lastly, perhaps you are already working in the arts industry and want some tips or tricks. Would you like to get some private tutelage from some of the top conductors, vocal coaches, acting coaches, or designers in the profession? Check out Access Video On Demand for more than 1,000 videos of performances, workshops, and more. Search for “theatre” to find the wide selection of content.

As always, remember that the show must go on! After all, as our friend William Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all … merely players.” Are you a fan of the Bard? Find out why you should be in my previous blog, “Shakespeare: The Bard Is Not Boring!”

Andrew E.
Red Bridge Branch