Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, Bill Irwin in LARGELY NEW YORK, 1989

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, a look at some of the Tony Awards' most memorable moments from the past three decades.

Bill Irwin didn't win a Tony at the 1989 award ceremony, but his four nominations, as playwright, lead actor, director and co-choreographer (with Kimi Okada) of the neo-vaudeville adventure LARGELY NEW YORK, and his telecast performance as "The Post-Modern Hoofer," were signs that this unique talent was going to be heard from for many years to come.

He returned to Broadway in 1993, partnered with David Shiner and The Red Clay Ramblers for another vaudevillian extravaganza called FOOL MOON, which made two return appearances after its popular initial run.

When Irwin did win a Tony in 2005, it was for something a bit more conventional, Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? Even though his subsequent New York appearances have included such diverse fare as KING LEAR, WAITING FOR GODOT and BYE, BYE, BIRDIE, he always seems ready to offer audiences another night of classic clowning, as with last season's reunion with Shiner for a return Off-Broadway engagement of OLD HATS.

The American Theatre Wing's 70th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Tony Award winner James Corden, will air on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.