More than You Ever Wanted to 

Know about a Tony Award

There has not been a winner of the the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event since 2007 when it was awarded to "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only".  The Best Special Theatrical Event Award is only given out when there are two or more shows opening during a Broadway season that qualify and are nominated by committee.

The winner in 2005 was "Billy Crystal in 700 Sundays" and before that "Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on Broadway" in 2003. For a decade the Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event has been presented during odd numbered years with only the exception of "Elaine Stritch at Liberty" which was given out in 2002.

This year the American Theatre Wing has nominated four shows in the category of
Best Special Theatrical Event they are:

Will Ferrell - "Your Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush"
Slava Polunin - "Slava's SnowShow"
Liza Minnelli - "Liza's at The Palace"
Hui Guang - "Soul of Shaolin"


Slava's Snowshow is playing at the Helen Hayes and I understand it is a very wonderful show celebrating the art of Russian clowning.  "Soul of Shaolin" is a show about the traditions and disipline of Asian martial arts.  Will Ferrell's show is a political satire featuring his incredible "Saturday Night Live honed" impersonation of George W.  Lisa's show is a valentine to her godmother, singer/MGM vocal arranger Kay Thompson. 

I have not seen any of these shows and  don't know who is favored in the Gypsy odds to win. I'm not even sure there are Gypsy odds on Broadway.  Will Ferrell made a joke about his Tony nomination as host of Saturday Night Live this week end. He said he was sure to win because his only real competition was some Broadway new comer named Lisa Minnelli. No denigration to the other two shows nominated but I think it boils down to Will or Liza. 

Although I will wince a little at loosing my "current winner" status I will be very excited in the most vicarious way for the winner this year.  I will fondly recall the night Sandi and I got to attend the Tony Awards and take home a trophy.

The best to all the nominees.
As you were,
Jay