2011 Tony Awards Still Homeless

As BroadwayWorld reported this summer, the Tony Awards is in search of a new home for 2011 and beyond, now that their 13 year occupation of Radio City Music Hall in midtown is complete. (Radio City will be occupied with a Cirque du Soliel production during Tony time next year). While the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, who present the Tonys, have not yet released an official statement on a specific move, published reports have suggested a likely option was the 3,400+ seat United Palace Theater in Washington Heights.

A report on YahooNews today suggests that the search is still on, however, and a new home has yet to be officially named: Producers are tightlipped about the process, not wanting to tip their hand during negotiations, but they say they've looked at all kinds of options: both indoors and outdoors, and using an existing venue or one they'd construct, such as erecting a building over Times Square made of Lucite. Some were too expensive, others unworkable."

Says American Theatre Wing president Howard Sherman of the search: "There are people who have asked about Times Square or Central Park outdoors. The Tonys are going to go on - whichever night they go on - at 8 o'clock. And if it's raining, CBS is not going to accept, nor should they, 'It's raining. We're not doing it tonight."

Producers are seeking a venue bigger than a Broadway house but smaller than the 19,000 seat Madison Square Garden arena. All the while, the venue must be able to accommodate the production value of the award show that audiences have come to expect.  Explains Sherman: "We can't go back to the glittery gold or silver drape, hang a show logo in front of it and have somebody do a number."

To read the full report on Yahoo, click here.

The American Theatre Wing's Tonys Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Paul Libin is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is Executive Director. At the American Theatre Wing, Theodore S. Chapin is Chairman and Howard Sherman is Executive Director. For Tony Award Productions, Alan Wasser and Allan Williams of Alan Wasser Associates are the General Managers. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment served as the Executive Producers of the 2010 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also served as Director of the 2010 Tony Awards.

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