An Associated Press news story reports today that the mega-successful talk show host, and The Color Purple producer, Oprah Winfrey, will not host the 2006 Tony Awards. The star is however naturally expected to attend the ceremony. With Winfrey long reported as a top choice, talks now turn to who will host the awards. A spokesperson tells the AP "that announcement is expected within the next several weeks." The host for the past three years has been Hugh Jackman.
The 60th Annual American Theatre Wing's
Antoinette Perry Awards will be broadcast live on the CBS television
network from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 11th. This
year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Tony Awards, which were first
held on April 6, 1947 at the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom.The
official cut-off for Tony eligibility for 2005-2006 season will be
Wednesday, May 10th. Nominations for the 2006 Tony Awards will be
announced on Tuesday, May 16th.The Antoinette Perry "Tony"
Award is 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 Tonys are presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing. At the League, Gerald Schoenfeld is Chairman and Jed Bernstein is President. At the Wing, Sondra Gilman is Chairman, Doug Leeds is President and Howard Sherman is Executive Director. For Tony Award Productions, Elizabeth I. McCann is Managing Producer and Joey Parnes is Coordinating Producer.
Ricky
Kirshner and Glenn Weiss/White Cherry Entertainment are Executive
Producers of the 2006 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as
Director of the 2006 Tony Awards. Currently, Mr. Kirshner and Mr. Weiss
are nominated for Emmy Awards for their production of the 2004 Tony
Awards.The official Tony Awards web site, www.TonyAwards.com, is developed, designed, and hosted by IBM, an official partner of the Tonys.
