Jul 15

Written by: Theatre Under The Stars
7/15/2010 1:03 PM

Like calculated clockwork, the American Theatre Wing’s annual Tony Awards honoring the best in theatre has always been held on the first (or second) Sunday in the month of June. So how did Radio City Music Hall, home of the Tony Awards for the past 13 years, become booked with a performance of Cirque du Soliel when it should be saved for the 2011 ceremonies?  Poor planning or are the animals from the live nativity scene at Christmas refusing to leave? Either way, the Tony’s must find a new home!

According to recent reports, Tony is packing up and moving uptown to Washington Heights. The much smaller United Palace Theatre at 175th and Broadway is rumored to be the new home of the Tonys. Originally built in 1930 for vaudeville acts and movies showings, the new/old venue will only hold a fraction of what Radio City Music Hall can contain. (Incidentally, because of the lack of space there are talks of only allowing four people at a time to go onstage and accept an award. Hey, maybe the acceptance speeches will be kept short as well!)

Still, I can’t help but feel like having the most prestigious night of theatre moving from Radio City to the United Palace is like the having TUTS perform one of their shows in a studio apartment. Can’t Cirque du Soliel give up one little week in their run for the sake, integrity and honor of the Tony Awards? In the meantime, I recommend all those lucky enough to attend the Tony’s to save up on subway tokens for the ride uptown!

I really will miss seeing the grandeur and beauty of Radio City Music Hall next summer, but I’m glad the show will go on!

Until next time,
Thea

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