Photo Coverage: Inside the Tonys Eve Cocktail Party!

The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were established in 1990 and are awarded annually to institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theatre, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories. This year’s Tony Honors were presented to: Freddie Gershon, CEO and Chairman of Music Theatre International, Artie Siccardi, Production Supervisor ofArthur Siccardi Theatrical Services, Inc.who has overseen more than 200 Broadway productions, and TDF Open Doors, Theatre Development Fund’s arts education program.

Also on hand to receive a spcial honor for Lifetime Achievement was producer Manny Azenberg, who has produced 65 productions for Broadway, receiving 25 Tony Award nominations and 8 Tony Awards. Collectively, elements of those productions have received 49 Tony Awards from more than 150 nominations. Mr. Azenberg has produced more than twentyNeil Simonshows, including all productions from 1970 through 2009.

For more on each of these special winners CLICK HERE, and check out full photo coverage below.

Additional special honorees this year includeBernadette Peters, recipient of the Isabelle StevensonAward; TheShakespeare Theatre Companyin Washington DC; recipient of the Regional Theatre Award; andHugh Jackmanand Actor's Equity Association.

The 2012 Tony Awards will be broadcast live on on CBS tonight, June 10, and are presented by The Broadway League and theAmerican Theatre Wing. The 66th Annual Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012.