Alliance Theatre Wins Tony Award

Atlanta, GA -
“And the TONY goes to…the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia!”

But just what is a “Tony” anyway? It’s only theatre’s most prestigious and certainly most coveted prize…

Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre was the recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award as outstanding regional theatre. The award was announced May 15 in New York City, but every Atlantan who has enjoyed this wonderful theatre was proud…all the way down south…to receive such notoriety! The Alliance is only the second theatre in the South to receive the Regional Theatre Tony Award. The award recognizes the Alliance’s prestigious 39-year history of artistic achievement and the theatre’s contribution to the growth of theatre nationally.

But just what is a “Tony” anyway? It’s only theatre’s most prestigious and certainly most coveted prize…a silver medallion of the masks of comedy and drama known as the American Theatre Wing’s Tony Award®. But you may also wonder how in the world so prestigious an award came to be called, ‘Tony’? Who was this Tony, and what’s his or her claim to theatre history?

Tony -- actually Toni -- was the nickname of a stunningly beautiful but tough-as-nails Denver actress, Antoinette Perry, who later turned successfully to producing and directing in an era when women in the business were usually relegated to acting, costume design or choreography. Miss Perry, from age three, showed innovative theatrical instincts. Once established in New York, she scored an enviable roster of hits and became one of theater’s most influential women. She's still one of the most revered. Amazingly, well into the 1970s, Perry was the only woman director with a track record of Broadway hits. Reflecting on her career in 1935, Miss Perry wrote, "I wanted to be an actress as soon as I could lisp. I didn't say I was going to become an actress. I felt I was one. No one could have convinced me I wasn't."

And so the theatre’s most prized award was given the name in her honor. An award that means more to every aspiring actor than any normal person could possibly imagine…and an award that means just as much to those who spend their lives doing eight shows a week…on Broadway! Do you think it meant any less to all those involved with the Alliance Theatre in the Woodruff Arts Center? It may not be Broadway, but try telling that to LaChance who sang her heart out on the Alliance stage in The Color Purple before going to Broadway and winning a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical! The Color Purple and LaChanze both had their debut on the Alliance Stage!

Now in its 38th Season, Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed theatre is the leading professional resident theatre of the Southeast. The Alliance is dedicated to creating the powerful experience of shared theatre for diverse people and is well known for its role in creating significant theatrical works. In addition to The Color Purple, the Alliance launched Elton John and Time Rice’s Aida, another Tony Award-winning HIT. The theatre furthered its commitment to new work with the initiation of a national program introducing student playwrights to professional networks, and then producing the world premiere of the winning student’s work. The Alliance is also proud of its extensive education and outreach programs.

In the end, the Alliance’s commitment to bringing the best in new work to Atlanta audiences with its world premieres, new play commissions and the innovative Graduate Playwriting Competition were all instrumental in bringing the ‘Tony’ home to Atlanta. This season will be no exception with “A Christmas Carol 2007” beginning November 30 and running through December 24. This is Atlanta’s most lavish and spectacular holiday extravaganza…full of soaring holiday music and jaw-dropping special effects. This Broadway-scale musical features the best actors and singers in Atlanta…the evening will dazzle your eyes and warm your heart. If you plan to be in Atlanta over the holidays, don’t you’re your opportunity to see the Broadway of the South…the Tony Award winning Alliance Theatre.