Tony Committee Creates New Category, Determines Eligibility for Five Shows

According to the committee: “In order to be eligible for this Tony Award, the actor or actress must not have appeared in the role when the production opened on Broadway. They must also be contracted in the role for a minimum of six months of public performances. Additionally, the producers may not submit more than two candidates per ‘Long-Running’ Show for the Award (including both Actor and Actress) for any such season. A ‘Long-Running’ show includes all eligible Broadway productions that have opened in a prior season, continues to be performed on a reasonably conventional playing schedule, and was eligible for nomination for a Tony Award for Best Play, Best Musical, or Best Revival. In addition, those eligible for this award must be playing a role which was eligible for Best Performance category by a Leading Actor or Leading Actress for the Tony Awards given for the season in which such production first opened.”

In addition, the Administration Committee ruled on the first five shows of the season. Nominations for After the Night and the Music, The Constant Wife, Primo, and Lennon will be consistent with opening night credits. The Blonde in the Thunderbird will be eligible in the “Special Theatrical Event” category.
The committee will meet three more times during the current season.

The eligibility cutoff for the 2005-2006 Tony Awards is Wednesday, May 10; that opening night has been taken by Tarzan. The awards will be presented on Sunday, June 11 at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast live on CBS.