Dan Cirucci: Tony Awards Tonight: How They Began; Who Will Win

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Tony Awards Tonight: How They Began; Who Will Win

Tonight is Broadway's biggest night: The Antoinette Perry (Tony) Awards.
Antoinette Perry was an actress, director and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. The Tony Awards are her namesake.
When Antoinette Perry died on June 28, 1946 at the age of 58, many people who knew her were determined that she not be forgotten. As chairman of the board and secretary of the American Theatre Wing throughout World War II, Antoinette Perry insisted on perfection and high standards of quality. Her dedication and tireless efforts to broaden the scope of theatre through the many programs of the American Theatre Wing affected thousands of people.
Jacob Wilk, the head of the Story Department for Warner Brothers East Coast office, suggested the idea of an Antoinette Perry Memorial to John Golden. He, in turn, presented the idea to the Wing. Brock Pemberton, a long-time personal friend as well as business associate, was appointed chairman of the committee, and suggested that the Wing give a series of annual awards in her name. A panel of six members was appointed to nominate candidates for the award in each category. The members who made the selections - by secret ballot - in the first year were: Vera Allen, Louise Beck, Jane Cowl, Helen Hayes, Brooks Atkinson, Kermit Bloomgarden, Clayton Collyer, George Heller, Rudy Karnolt, Burns Mantle, Gilbert Miller, Warren P. Munsell, Solly Pernick, James E. Sauter and Oliver Sayler.
The first awards were presented at a dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1947.
That's how the Tony Awards began.
But during the first two years, there was no official Tony Award. The winners were presented with, in addition to a scroll, a cigarette lighter, a money clip or a compact. The United Scenic Artists sponsored a contest for a suitable design for the awards and Herman Rosse's entry, depicting the masks of comedy and tragedy on one side and the profile of Antoinette Perry on the other, was selected. In 1949, the medallion was initiated at the third annual dinner. It continues to be the official Tony Award, and since 1967 has been mounted on a black base.
So, who will win the awards tonight.
We have our own favorites (among them the new musical "Newsies") but here's who we think will actually win:
Best New Musical: Once
Best Musical Revival: Follies
Best Score: Newsies
Best Choreography: Newsies
Best New Play: Clybourne Park
Best Play Revival: Death of a Salesman
Best Play, Director: Mike Nichols, Death of a Salesman
Best Actor, Play: James Earl Jones, The Best Man
Best Actress, Play: Tracie Bennett, End of the Rainbow
Best Actor, Musical: Danny Burnstein, Follies
Best Actress, Musical: Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
We cannot say for sure that these will be the winners as the voting is very competitive this year. There is no clear runaway favorite in any category.
But these are our best guesses right now.
Don't miss the Tonys at 8 PM tonight on CBS.

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About Dan Cirucci

He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's videocasts and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

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