1977 TONY AWARDS, THE (TV)
Summary
The thirty-first annual presentation of the American Theatre Wing Tony (Antoinette Perry) awards for excellence in the Broadway theater, is telecast live from the Shubert Theatre in New York City. This year's program, hosted by Jack Albertson, Beatrice Arthur, Buddy Ebsen, Damon Evans, Jean Stapleton, and Leslie Uggams, centers on the theme of "survival," as each host does a solo turn performing a song about determination and perseverance. The hosts begin the show by singing a bastardized version of "I'm Still Here" (changed to "You're Still Here") from "Side by Side by Sondheim." Next, Arthur presents awards to Jennifer Tipton ("The Cherry Orchard") for Best Lighting Designer; David Mitchell ("Annie") for Best Scenic Designer; and -- in a tie -- both Theoni V. Aldredge ("Annie") (not present) and Santo Loquasto ("The Cherry Orchard") for Best Costume Designer. Next, Albertson sings "Before the Parade Passes By" from "Hello Dolly" before presenting awards to Trazana Beverley ("For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf") for Best Actress (Featured Role), Play and Jonathan Pryce ("Comedians") for Best Actor (Featured Role), Play. Next, the company of "I Love My Wife" performs "I Love My Wife"/"Married Couple Seeks Married Couple"/"Hey There, Good Times." Then, Uggams presents a Special Tony award to Lily Tomlin, who follows that up with a comedic monologue. Next, Damon Evans sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" from "Carousel" before presenting awards to Delores Hall ("Your Arm's Too Short to Box With God") for Best Actress (Featured Role), Musical and Lenny Baker ("I Love My Wife") for Best Actor (Featured Role), Musical. Afterward, Albertson presents a Special Tony award to the National Theatre of the Deaf. Then, Andrea McArdle, Dorothy Loudon, and the company from "Annie" perform "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile"/"Easy Street"/"Tomorrow." Next, Buddy Ebsen signs "September Song" and then presents the award for Best Choreographer to Peter Gennaro ("Annie"). Next, Arthur sings "Don't Rain on My Parade" from "Funny Girl" before presenting awards to Barry Bostwick ("The Robber Bridegroom") for Best Actor, Musical and Dorothy Loudon ("Annie") for Best Actress, Musical. Then, Jane Alexander presents an award to "Porgy and Bess" for Most Innovative Production of a Revival. Stapleton performs "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" before presenting awards to Gordon Davidson ("The Shadow Box") for Best Director, Play and Gene Saks ("I Love My Wife") for Best Director, Musical. Next, Barry Manilow sings "New York City Rhythm." Then, Uggams sings "Being Alive" from "Company" before presenting awards to Charlie Strouse and Martin Charnin ("Annie") for Best Score and Thomas Meehan ("Annie") for Best Book. Stapleton presents awards to Al Pacino ("The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel") for Best Actor, Play and Julie Harris ("The Belle of Amherst") for Best Actress, Play. Jane Alexander presents a Special Tony to the Equity Library Theatre. Then, Albertson presents Best Play to "The Shadow Box," the award being accepted by Lester Osterman, the show's producer. Next, Diana Ross receives a Special Tony award. Then, Tony Randall presents the award for Best Musical to "Annie," which producer Mike Nichols accepts. In the program's final number, Millicent Martin performs "I'm Still Here" from "Side by Side by Sondheim." Commercials deleted.
The acquisition and cataloging of The Theater Collection was made made possible by The Park Foundation, Inc., and the Verizon Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: June 5, 1977 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:15:50
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:71680
- GENRE: Award presentations
- SUBJECT HEADING: Musical revues, comedies, etc. - Excerpts; Theater Collection, The; Tony Awards - 1977
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1977
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Alexander H. Cohen … Producer
- Roy A. Somlyo … Co-Producer
- Clark Jones … Director
- Enid Victor … Direction (Misc.), Associate Director
- Hildy Parks … Writer
- Bob Herget … Choreographer
- Elliot Lawrence … Music (Misc. Credits), Musical Director
- Jack Albertson … Host, Performer
- Beatrice Arthur … Host, Performer
- Buddy Ebsen … Host, Performer
- Damon Evans … Host, Performer
- Jean Stapleton … Host, Performer
- Leslie Uggams … Host, Performer
- Dorothy Loudon … Performer
- Barry Manilow … Performer
- Millicent Martin … Performer
- Andrea McArdle … Performer
- Lily Tomlin … Performer
- Theoni V. Aldredge
- Jane Alexander
- Lenny Baker
- Trazana Beverley
- Barry Bostwick
- Martin Charnin
- Gordon Davidson
- Peter Gennaro
- Delores Hall
- Julie Harris
- Santo Loquasto
- Thomas Meehan
- David Mitchell
- Mike Nichols
- Lester Osterman
- Al Pacino
- Jonathan Pryce
- Tony Randall
- Diana Ross
- Gene Saks
- Charlie Strouse
- Jennifer Tipton