Tony Awards Categories

The Tony Awards or the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre has been granted to astounding performances in the theatre for 65 years and is at its 65th Annual Edition in 2011. The Tony Awards recognize the talent and work of actors, directors, musicians and other specialists, all the people responsible for creating a great on-stage show.

Every category at the Tony Awards is equally important and grants the same prestige to every play or musical. There are awards for overall production, for performance, for craft and special awards. The awards for Best Play and Best Musical are among the most awaited of them all, while Best Revival of a Play and Best Revival of Musical raise high hopes for many.

The awards for performance include those for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play and for Best Actress, as well. The Tony Awards categories also recognize different actors and actresses in musicals, leading to the awards for best actor/actress in a leading role in a musical. The performance awards also include features roles in plays and musicals by both actors and actresses alike.

Best Direction in a play and a musical are two unique awards that deserve a lot of respect, while the Best Original Score rewards creativity. Best Orchestration and Choreography are also tightly related to music and by adding Scenic Design, Costumes, Sound and Lighting, the plays and musicals are always ready to impress. Plays and musicals have both their own awards as it takes each a unique set of skills and people to get the job done.

The Annual Tony Awards also include a few special categories. There is a lifetime achievement award fro those who have been in the theatre and have greatly influence it, as well as honors and excellence awards, every one of which is based on great merit.