TonyAwards.com - The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®

FAQs

This page is designed to answer many common questions about the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®. Many of the questions are based on feedback from visitors to the site. Just click on the links below.

The 2012 Awards

Rules, Eligibility, and Voting

Behind the Scenes and More

The 2012 Awards

How can I get a video of this year's Tony broadcast, or of past years' telecasts?
No recordings of current or past Tony telecasts are currently available for purchase. However, the multi-volume "Broadway's Lost Treasures" compilation, available on DVD, contains classic moments from Tony broadcasts. "Broadway's Lost Treasures" is available from Amazon.com.

When does the 2011 Tony Awards ceremony take place?
The 66th Annual Tony Awards will be held on Sunday June 10, 2012. The live Tony telecast begins at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 Central on CBS, and is repeated at 8:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the West Coast. Check back soon for info on live web coverage of Tony Night events, incuding the Red Carpet and the Creative Arts Awards.

When are the nominations announced?
The 2012 Tony Nominations Announcement will take place this spring in a live webcast here at TonyAwards.com. Check back for more info.

I live on the West Coast. What is the schedule for Tony Night?
The June 10 Tony telecast will be recorded for prime-time broadcast on the West Coast at 8:00 p.m. PT on CBS. However, for the benefit of those fans across the globe who do not have access to the broadcast, our website coverage of the Tony Awards is live. We will post the winners' names as they are announced, beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. So if you prefer to remain in suspense until you watch the telecast, we suggest that you log on for our live Tony red carpet and pre-show coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT. Then close your browser and come back after the telecast is over, at which point you can watch video clips of backstage interviews with the winners and presenters.

How do I find out if a nominated show has its own website?
Go to the show's page on this site. You will find a link to the show's website, if it has one.

How can I get tickets for nominated shows?
It's easy! Just visit the Broadway Tickets page on this site for direct, real-time ticketing from the shows' official box office service. To purchase tickets after the awards ceremony, log on to www.ILoveNYTheater.com and select your show.

Can I get tickets to this year's Tony Awards ceremony?
The Tony Awards Ceremony relocated to the Beacon Theatre in 2011. While we had been able to offer limited public sale to the Tony Awards in the past, the reduced capacity of our new venue has required us to allocate seating very differently, and unfortunately there will be no tickets available for sale to the public. The best way to watch the Tony Awards is live on CBS, Sunday, June 10th at 8:00p.m./7c.

Rules, Eligibility, and Voting

What shows are eligible for Tony Awards?
Legitimate theatrical productions may be eligible for Tony Awards if they officially open on or before the cut-off date established by the Tony Awards Administration Committee (in 2012, that date is April 26) in an eligible Broadway theatre and comply with all the rules and regulations that govern the Tony Awards for the season. A show is only eligible in the season when it first opens, no matter how long it subsequently runs on Broadway.

Are Off Broadway shows or touring productions eligible for Tonys?
No. Only Broadway productions that open in designated Broadway theatres in Manhattan are eligible for Tonys.

Who votes for the Tonys?
Tony voters include voting members of The Broadway League and the board of directors and designated members of the advisory committee of the American Theatre Wing, along with members of the governing boards of Actors' Equity Association; the Dramatists Guild; SDC, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society; United Scenic Artists; and the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers. Other eligible voters include members of the Theatrical Council of the Casting Society of America and members of the New York Drama Critics Circle and the Tony Awards Nominating Committee. There are approximately 750 voters.

How are shows and artists nominated for Tony Awards?
The Nominating Committee is made up of a rotating group of up to 35 theatre professionals who serve for overlapping three-year terms. Committee members are asked to see every new Broadway show. The committee votes on the nominations, which are announced in the spring, about a month before the awards.

How is the award for regional theatre determined?
Each spring the Tony Administration Committee selects the institution that will receive the Regional Theatre Tony Award based on a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association. The Regional Theatre Tony Award is accompanied by a grant of $25,000.

What are the rules that govern nominations and awards?
The rules for the Tony Awards are available for download on the Rules and Regulations page of this site.

Behind the Scenes and More

Whom are the Tony Awards named for?
The Tony Awards are named for Antoinette Perry (1888-1946), an actress, stage director and philanthropist who was a founder of the American Theatre Wing. She staged the original production of Mary Chase's comedy Harvey. The American Theatre Wing's website contains more information about Antoinette Perry and the history of the Tonys.

Who presents the Tony Awards?
The Tony Awards are presented by Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of two organizations: the The Broadway League, the national trade association for the commercial theatre industry; and the American Theatre Wing, a not-for-profit service organization for both the theatre community and the community at large.

How do I find out about other programs of the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League?
You may visit the Wing's website at http://www.americantheatrewing.org/, and The League's site at www.BroadwayLeague.com.

How can I get a message to a specific nominee?
TonyAwards.com cannot forward electronic messages, nor can we contact nominees on your behalf. You may send fan letters via regular mail to nominees care of the theatre at which their show is playing.

What does an actual Tony Award look like?
The Tony Award stands eight inches tall and weighs one pound, 10 ounces. It is a circular medallion mounted on an armature, which is in turn affixed to a base.