The 3rd Annual Tony Awards were held on April 24, 1949, at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom in New York City, and broadcast on radio station WOR and the Mutual Network. The Masters of Ceremonies were Brock Pemberton and James Sauter.
Ceremony The silver Tony medallion, designed by Herman Rosse, was awarded for the first time. The face of the medallion portrayed an adaptation of the comedy and tragedy masks and the reverse side had a relief profile of Antoinette Perry.
Performers: Yvonne Adair, Anne Renee Anderson, Carol Channing, Alfred Drake, Bill Eythe, Nanette Fabray, Jane Froman, Lisa Kirk, Mary McCarty, Lucy Monroe, Gene Nelson, Lanny Ross, Lee Stacy, Lawrence Tibbett, Betty Jane Watson, and Paul Winchell.
The American Theatre Wing "emphasized that it avoids any 'firsts' or 'bests' and presents the prizes for a 'notable contributuion to the current season'.... Anything that enlivens the theatre may win a 'Tony'"." 'Salesman,' 'Kate' Win Perry Awards: Rex Harrison And Martita Hunt Also Get 'Tonys' For Roles In Broadway Shows", The New York Times, p. 19, April 25, 1949 South Pacific, which had won the Critics' Circle Award, was not eligible for these Tony Awards, which were confined to productions opening up to March 1, 1949. It was eligible for the following year.
Award winners Note: nominees not shown
Production Award WinnerBest PlayDeath of a Salesman by Arthur MillerBest MusicalKiss Me, Kate Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel SpewackBest Author (Play)Arthur Miller, Death of a SalesmanBest Author (Musical)Bella Spewack and Samuel Spewack, Kiss Me, KateTony Award for Producers (Dramatic)Kermit Bloomgarden and Walter Fried, Death of a SalesmanTony Award for Producers (Musical)Saint Subber and Lemuel Ayers, Kiss Me, Kate
Performance Award WinnerActor-PlayRex Harrison, Anne of the Thousand DaysActress-PlayMartita Hunt, The Madwoman of ChaillotActor-MusicalRay Bolger, Where's Charley?Actress-MusicalNanette Fabray, Love LifeTony Award for Actor, Supporting or FeaturedArthur Kennedy, Death of a Salesman Tony Award for Actress, Supporting or FeaturedShirley Booth, Goodbye, My Fancy
Craft Award WinnerBest DirectorElia Kazan, Death of a SalesmanTony Award for Composer and Lyricist Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate ChoreographerGower Champion, Lend an EarCostume DesignerLemuel Ayers, Kiss Me, KateScenic DesignerJo Mielziner, Sleepy Hollow / Summer and Smoke / Anne of the Thousand Days / Death of a Salesman / South PacificConductor and Musical DirectorMax Meth, As the Girls Go
Multiple nominations and awards
The following productions received multiple awards.
6 wins: Death of a Salesman 5 wins: Kiss Me, Kate 2 wins: Anne of the Thousand Days
See also
21st Academy Awards
References
External links Official site Infoplease listing, 1949