Tony to Be Given to Sarah Jones, No Special Event Category

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met today to decide eligibility of thirteen Broadway productions for the 2006 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®, presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing.

The Committee voted to award a Special Tony to Sarah Jones, author and star of Bridge and Tunnel.

The category for Special Theatrical Event was eliminated for consideration this year.

Bradley Cooper will be considered in the Featured Actor in a Play category for his performance in Three Days of Rain. In addition, the play will be considered in the Revival of a Play category.

Jim Dale, Ana Gasteyer and Cyndi Lauper will be considered in the Featured Actor and Actress in a Musical categories for their performances in The Threepenny Opera.

Richard Griffiths will be considered in the Lead Actor in a Play category for his performance in The History Boys.

For Lestat, Hugh Panaro will be considered in the Lead Actor in a Musical category.

For The Wedding Singer, Laura Benanti and Stephen Lynch will be considered in the Lead Actress and Actor in a Musical categories.

For The Drowsy Chaperone, Sutton Foster and Bob Martin will be considered in the Lead Actress and Actor in a Musical categories.

David Wilmot will be considered in the Lead Actor in a Play category for his performance in The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

For Faith Healer, Cherry Jones and Ian McDiarmid will be considered in the Featured Actress and Actor in a Play categories.

Tim Daly will be considered in the Featured Actor in a Play category for his performance in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.

For Shining City, Brían F. O'Byrne and Oliver Platt will both be considered in the Lead Actor in a Play category.

For Tarzan, Jenn Gambatese and Josh Strickland will be considered in the Lead Actress and Actor in a Musical categories.

All other decisions were consistent with the opening night credits.

This is the fourth, and final, time the Tony Awards Administration Committee has met to discuss eligibility for nominations for the 2006 Tony Awards for shows that opened in the 2005-2006 season. Nominations will be announced by Tony winners Phylicia Rashad, Natasha Richardson and Liev Schreiber on Tuesday morning, May 16th at the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

Celebrating their 60th Anniversary, the Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network Sunday, June 11th.