Every June, flashy blue lights strike the Radio City stage, signaling the bestowal of the highest U.S. honor for theatre: the Antoinette Perry Awards of Excellence in Broadway Theatre, commonly referred to as the Tonys. This year, the once vibrant New York City has instead become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Thus, on March 25, two weeks after Broadway closed down, Tony Awards Production announced the 74th Awards Ceremony, originally scheduled for June 7, would be postponed indefinitely.
For many, particularly those who cannot spend the time or money to travel to Broadway or to watch local productions, the Tony Awards offer a glimpse into the world of theatre. Last year, more than 5 million Americans tuned in to CBS watch as James Corden, Ali Stroker, Jez Butterworth sang, danced, and spoke of 2019’s musicals. In contrast with theater’s main competitor, television, the Tonys are always enchantingly filled with life.
In addition to exposing the American public to theater, the Tony Awards and Broadway overall support thousands of jobs. According to Forbes, Broadway represents a yearly economic impact of over $12.6 billion. Estimates show that during its current shutdown period, Broadway will lose between $100 million and $1 billion in revenue.
Some Broadway plays and musicals, such as Martin McDonagh’s “Hangmen” and Joe Mantello’s revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, have been canceled entirely. The Olivier Awards, the Tonys’ London counterpart, were postponed weeks ago.
With the current, frightening circumstances in New York and the close quarters associated with theater, it is unlikely that the curtains will be rising on the Tonys—or Broadway as a whole—any time soon.
Article by Lynna Deng of Richard Montgomery High School
Graphic by Helena Yang of Richard Montgomery High School