The season of award ceremonies has returned. Last month's Blue Dragon Film Awards witnessed a significant moment as actress Kim Hye-soo stepped down from her 30-year role as host, earning widespread applause. This event further solidified the Blue Dragon Film Awards' status as a prestigious and long-standing representative of the Korean film industry.

In the United States, home to the world's largest popular culture market, there exists a similarly prestigious ceremony known as the EGOT. This encompasses the Emmy (TV), Grammy (Music), Oscars (Film), and Tony (Musical) Awards. The term 'EGOT' is an acronym derived from the initials of these four awards.

 

Chapter 1

The Paramount Musical Award 

Among the four major American popular culture awards, the Tony Awards are particularly known for their stage spectacle. The ceremony features a dazzling array of performances, including the host's opening act, musical numbers from nominated shows, and special appearances by celebrities, ensuring a non-stop entertainment experience. 

* Musical number: A representative song from a musical

The Tony Awards are named after Antoinette Perry*, a successful female director and renowned actress in American theatre. Antoinette Perry was also a co-founder of the American Theatre Wing (ATW), the organization that administers the Tony Awards. 

* The official name of the Tony Awards is the 'Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre'.  

* Another co-founder of the ATW is the theatre director Brock Pemberton.

Chapter 2 

The Journey to Prestige 

Today, the Tony Awards are held at Radio City Music Hall in New York's Rockefeller Center. Since its opening in 1932, Radio City Music Hall remains one of the largest indoor theaters in the world, with a seating capacity of over 6,000. However, the Tony Awards did not always take place on such a grand stage.

 

The Tony Awards were established in 1947, with the first ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria New York hotel. It was a modest event attended only by theatre professionals. The ceremony awarded 11 categories, including best actors, choreographers, and directors. Rather than trophies or medals, the winners received certificates and practical items like jewelry and lighters, often valued by the financially struggling actors of the time.

 

  

  

※ Helen Hayes was the first woman to achieve an EGOT. 

※ Since Richard Rodgers' first EGOT in 1962, only 18 individuals have received this honor, including six women.

The Tony Award trophy was introduced at the 3rd ceremony in 1949, designed by the renowned architect and theatre designer Herman Rosse. The trophy features a rotatable medallion, with one side displaying the comedy and tragedy masks of theatre, and the other bearing Antoinette Perry's face and the inscription "Awarded to [Winner's Name] by the ATW".

Chapter 3 

Award-Winning Musicals 

While the name 'Tony' might not be as familiar as 'Grammy' or 'Oscar', the award-winning productions tell a different story.  

'The Phantom of the Opera', adored by many in Korea, is the longest-running musical in Broadway history. It has been seen by over 145 million people and has generated over $6 billion in revenue. At the 42nd Tony Awards in 1988, it swept 7 categories, including Best Musical, Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role, and awards for direction, costume, set, and lighting. 

The musical 'Dreamgirls', famously adapted into a film starring Beyoncé, also originated as a stage production. At the 36th Tony Awards in 1982, it won an impressive 6 awards, including Best Musical and awards for both male and female lead and supporting roles, as well as Best Choreography and Lighting. Jennifer Holliday's performance of 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' at the awards remains a legendary moment in Tony Awards history, celebrated for her exceptional vocal and acting talent.

The 77th Tony Awards are scheduled for June 2024. In anticipation, an exhibition featuring actual Tony Awards trophies and related memorabilia will be held in Korea. The exhibition, titled 'Musical Special Exhibition: Lara's Dream Theatre', will take place at Daegu 83 Tower. It narrates the story of Lara, a young girl aspiring to be a musical actress, as she experiences the masterpieces of Broadway. The exhibition is divided into six themed rooms, each depicting a stage in Lara's journey towards realizing her dream. This exhibition promises to be an unforgettable experience for families, especially during the school holidays.