‘A Strange Loop,’ ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ await results at 75th Annual Tony Awards
Now that the 2022 awards season is well underway, fans of the performing arts are reminded of a rare, coveted, acronymic title: EGOT winner. Bestowed upon those who have won all four major awards in the United States performing arts scene — an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a
Tony — the honor is one of the highest in the industry.
It’s true that the Oscars and the Grammys have already taken place this year (and the Daytime Emmys are scheduled to air June 24), but one awards show promises to make waves on small screens across North America this week. The 75th Annual Tony Awards airs live Sunday, June 12, on CBS and Paramount+.
Named for Antoinette Perry, the multitalented wartime leader of the American Theatre Wing who had recently died, the first Tony Awards were held in 1947 and designed to honor the best in live theater performance. Now three-quarters of a century later, the tradition continues; this time from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, just steps from one of the world’s most famous theater districts: Broadway.
Back in full swing following a series of delays and postponements during the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event features a pre-show event, named “The Tony Awards:Act One,” hosted by American actor/singer/songwriter Darren Criss (“Glee”) and former “Dancing With the Stars” professional Julianne Hough. While that segment will only be available to stream on the platform, the Tony Awards show itself will be simulcast across both the streamer and its home network.
Hosted by Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story,” 2021), this year marks the first time in history that the fourhour event will be broadcast live from coast to coast. While the nominees include 34 shows that span several different genres and a total of 26 awards categories, only one show has managed to rake in 11 nominations of its own.
“A Strange Loop,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical from Michael R. Jackson (“Only Children” at NYU’s Frederick Loewe Theatre), will likely walk away with at least one Tony this year, given its nominations in nearly half of the ceremony’s categories.