Tony Awards 2018 – everything you need to know
Get the lowdown ahead of Broadway’s biggest night.
It is now a matter of hours to go before one of the biggest nights of the year in US theatre. The 72nd Tony awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Fans are already queuing around the block to catch a glimpse of the rehearsals.
Whilst it is clearly a big deal in the States, there’s plenty about tonight’s ceremony for musical fans back in the UK to be excited about.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the curtain call.
What are the Tony Awards?
The Tonys recognise excellence in the theatrical performances shown at the 41 professional theatres with 500 or more seats in New York City’s famous Broadway district.
The official name for the gong is the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre. It gets its name from actress, director, producer and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing Antoinette Perry, who was nicknamed Tony.
First held on April 6 1947, the awards show currently boasts 26 categories and several special awards. Both musicals and plays are recognised by the Tonys.
When does the ceremony begin?
Viewers in the UK are set for a late night in order to catch the 72nd Tony awards. The show is being aired on the US TV network CBS from 1am British time.
Slightly earlier though is the red carpet for the event which gets under way on the Tony Awards’ official website from 10.30pm in the UK.
Who has been nominated?
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, featuring the characters of British author JK Rowling, is up for 10 prizes.
The play, which opened in Broadway in April after premiering in London’s West End in 2016, has been shortlisted for best play.
Film stars including Denzel Washington, Amy Schumer and Michael Cera are just some of the big names in the acting categories.
Musician Bruce Springsteen will be given a special Tony Award for his concert residency at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York.
Will there be any British winners?
Theatre fans in the UK can rest assured that at least one Brit will take home a prize from the 2018 Tonys. Cats and Evita composer Andrew Lloyd Webber will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
British actors dominate the category for best leading actor in a play. As well as Harry Potter star Jamie Parker, Sir Mark Rylance, Tom Hollander and British-American Andrew Garfield are all nominated alongside Washington.
Actress Glenda Jackson is also among the British nominees. She has been named in the best leading actress in a play category for Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women
Who is hosting?
Tonight’s show will be hosted by singers Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. Bareilles is nominated for an award this year for being a songwriter for SpongeBob SquarePants.
