Broadway Buzz: And The Award Goes To…

To contact us Click HERE
You see themhighlighting the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s posters, but just whatdoes it mean that a show’s “award-winning?” Is there only one award? Whichawards count for what? Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most highprofile awards and what they might mean for your next trip to the theater.

Tony Award

The Tony Awards®The Tony Awards, named for Antoinette Perry, launched in 1947 and took thenational spotlight in 1967 when it was first televised nationwide. Nomineeseach year are selected from among shows that have opened in an eligibleBroadway theater. A nominating committee of 35 theater professionals sees everyshow before making nominations, and awards are based on input fromapproximately 750 Tony voters, like the Center’s president Susan Stockton.
Olivier AwardsThe Brits have theirown version of Broadway known as the West End and their own awards show namedafter Sir Laurence Olivier. There’s some give and take across the pond, soyou’ll often hear Olivier references for shows with dual citizenship like Billy Elliot the Musical.
The Obie Awards  
Created by The Village Voice, The Obie Awards honor excellence in off-Broadwayand off-off Broadway productions. Around since 1955, the Obies play asignificant role in promoting the off-Broadway and off-off Broadway theaterscene. For many familiar titles, off-Broadway is an important evolutionary stepas the show grows and develops.
The Drama Desk Awards  
The Drama Desk Awards take into account Broadway, off-Broadwayand off-off Broadway shows playing in New York City. Founded in 1949, the DramaDesk Awards are unique in that the voters are comprised of media professionals, hence the name.
The Pulitzer Prize
Wait a second… Isn’t the Pulitzer Prize awarded for writers? The Pulitzer Prizehonors excellence in journalism and art, including an award for drama. Showslike Clybourne Park, Next to Normal and even South Pacific have been honored byPulitzer. Interestingly, if submissions in any particularyear do not meet a degree of excellence expected by Colombia University’sPulitzer Board, the honor is simply not bestowed on a lesser work.