2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Special Theatrical Event'

Nominations in 27 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony"® Awards were announced today by Tony Award Winners Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. To view the complete list of nominees, click here.

The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television.

The American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony"® Awards will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, 2009 (8-11pm, live EST, PT time delay) on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees:
'Best Special Theatrical Event'

Liza's at The Palace...! featured an incomparable Liza Minnelli songfest including many of her personal favorites and signature hits, followed by a dance-filled tribute to the groundbreaking late-1940s nightclub act of Minnelli's godmother, Kay Thompson. Along with a twelve-man orchestra led by conductor/drummer Michael Berkowitz and pianist/musical supervisor Billy Stritch, Liza's at The Palace...! is highlighted with many of Liza's showstoppers such as "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time," and "New York New York" - all written especially for her by the legendary Broadway song writing partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb. For the first time onstage, Liza will pay an affectionate salute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson who was a legendary performer ("Think Pink!" from Funny Face), author (Eloise at the Plaza) as well a gifted vocal arranger and Music Director/vocal coach at MGM Studios who worked with stars such as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Lena Horne. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers, Liza performs musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from Thompson's act including such numbers as "I Love a Violin," "Clap Yo' Hands," "Jubilee Time" and "Hello Hello."

Liza's at The Palace...! was produced by John Scher, Metropolitan Talent Presents, LLC and Jubilee Time Productions, LLC.

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW
Helen Hayes Theatre. First Preview: 12/02/2008, Opened: 12/07/2008, Closed: 01/04/2009.

Created and staged by Slava Polunin, considered by many to be the world's greatest clown, Slava's Snowshow is a sensory whirlwind for the entire family, combining theatrical spectacle with the unbridled hilarity and heart-warming poignancy of the art of clowning. Featuring a cast of 10 in a series of breathtaking stage images that need to be seen to be believed, Slava's Snowshow culminates in a stunning coup de theatre finale - a joyous, swirling snowstorm that sweeps across the stage, filling the theatre and engulfing The Audience.

Slava's Snowshow was produced by David J. Foster, Jared Geller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Marinoff Cohn, and John Pinckard.

Soul of Shaolin
Marquis Theatre. First Preview: 01/13/2009, Opened: 01/15/2009, Closed: 01/31/2009.

Soul of Shaolin tells the story of a boy named Hui Guang who is separated from his mother by war. Hui Guang is found and taken in by the legendary monks of the Shaolin temple and raised among them. As he becomes a man, Hui Gang becomes an accomplished master of Shaolin Kung Fu and embarks on a spectacular journey of self-discovery. The production features 33 Chinese nationals who are highly skilled in Shaolin Kung Fu, the collection of martial arts that is associated with the monks of the Shaolin temple in China's Henan province. This particular style is characterized by almost superhuman displays of strength and agility, but is tempered with the monks' philosophical belief in training the mind, body, and Soul.

Soul of Shaolin was produced by Nederlander Worldwide Productions, LLC, Eastern Shanghai International Culture Film & Television Group and China on Broadway.

You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush
Cort Theatre. First Preview: 01/20/2009, Opened: 02/05/2009, Closed: 03/15/2009.

It's time for a change in America, but not without a few parting words from the 43rd President of the United States. Don't miss your chance to discover the man behind the myth, the truth behind the lies, and the logic behind the illogical in this limited Broadway event. Will Ferrell stars in the one-man show You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush, directed by Adam McKay.

You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush was produced by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler, Home Box Office Inc., Gary Sanchez Productions, Bat-Barry Productions, Ken Davenport, Ergo Entertainment, Ronald Frankel, Jon B. Platt, James D. Stern, The Weinstein Company, Tara Smith/b. Swibel, Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin, and Arny Granat.