STAGE TUBE: Billy Crystal Opens Oscars With Marc Shaiman Number!

Billy Crystal kicked off The Academy Awards with an opening number written by Tony award-winner Marc Shaiman and Billy Crystal. The song paid a tribute to the nominees for Best Picture. Watch the performance below!

The 84th Annual Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011, hosted by Billy Crystal, are being presented tonight, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation is televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide. BroadwayWorld is watching now and bringing you updated coverage of the winners list and more LIVE!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards - in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners - the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.