Tommy Tune, the nine-time Tony Award-winning performer and choreographer will be honored as a "Living Landmark" along with five other individuals in November by the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
The "Living Landmarks" ceremony will take place on November 4th at at Cipriani 42nd Street.
Known as one of the most prolific theatre men of the Twentieth Century, Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences over the past 50 years with his charisma, vision, and innovation. A native Texan, Mr. Tune began his career as a dancer in the Broadway shows Baker Street, A Joyful Noise, and How Now Dow Jones. He would soon step out of the chorus and into a principal role in the Broadway musical Seesaw, which garnered him his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Less than a decade later, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in My One and Only. Throughout his career, he would go on to win an additional seven Tony Awards, four for Best Choreography (A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Grand Hotel, My One and Only, The Will Rogers Follies) and three for Best Direction of a Musical (Nine, Grand Hotel, The Will Rogers Follies), bringing his total to an unprecedented nine Tony Awards. In addition, his talents have been recognized by receiving eight Drama Desk Awards, three Astaire Awards, and the Society of Directors and Choreographers' George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement. He is also the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the country's highest honor for artistic achievement. Mr. Tune's talents extend beyond the stage, however. His film credits include Hello Dolly, The Boyfriend, Mimi Bluette, Fiore Del Mio Giardino, and Hollywood Blvd. He has been honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout his career he has toured extensively in productions of Irma La Douce, Seesaw, Tommy Tune Tonight, My One and Only, Bye, Bye, Birdie, and his act with the Manhattan Rhythm Kings. Most recently, Mr. Tune directed the new musical, Turn of the Century, at the esteemed Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The show, slated for Broadway, was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice of Jersey Boys fame. This year, Mr. Tune marks his 50th year in show business.
Additional recipients of the "Living Landmark" title are New York County district attorney Robert Morgenthau; Italian Baroness and philanthropist, Baroness Mariuccia-Marimo; playwright, author, screenwriter and "Newman's Own" co-creator, A.E. Hotchner; real estate developer and film studio executive, George Kaufman; and New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham.
"Living Landmark honorees represent the best of New York in talent, philanthropy and spirit" said Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, in a statement. "This year's special ‘Sweet Sixteen' celebration will honor an outstanding group of New Yorkers and salute the many amazing 'Living Landmarks' we have honored through the years."
Over the course of its 16 years, the Conservancy has lauded the contributions of an array of individuals, including Charlie Rose, Lauren Bacall, Oscar de la Renta, Harry Belafonte, Tom & Meredith Brokaw, Pat & William F. Buckley Jr., Walter Cronkite, Diane Von Furstenberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Jennings, Edward I. Koch, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Jerry Orbach & Sam Waterston, Joan Rivers, George Steinbrenner, Gloria Steinem, Barbara Walters, Mario Cuomo and Harvey & Bob Weinstein.
