3rd Tony Awards
| 3rd Tony Awards | |
|---|---|
| Date | April 24, 1949 |
| Location |
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel New York City, New York |
| Hosted by |
Brock Pemberton, James Sauter |
| Television/Radio coverage | |
| Network |
WOR, Mutual Network |
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.[1]
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' ".[1] 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.[1]
Award winners
Note: nominees not shown
Production
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Play | Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller |
| Best Musical | Kiss Me Kate Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack |
| Best Author (Play) | Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman |
| Best Author (Musical) | Bella Spewack and Samuel Spewack, Kiss Me Kate |
| Tony Award for Producers (Dramatic) | Kermit Bloomgarden and Walter Fried, Death of a Salesman |
| Tony Award for Producers (Musical) | Saint Subber and Lemuel Ayers, Kiss Me Kate |
Performance
Craft
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Director | Elia Kazan, Death of a Salesman |
| Tony Award for Composer and Lyricist | Cole Porter, Kiss Me Kate |
| Choreographer | Gower Champion, Lend an Ear |
| Costume Designer | Lemuel Ayers, Kiss Me Kate |
| Scenic Designer | Jo Mielziner, Sleepy Hollow/Summer and Smoke/Anne of the Thousand Days/Death of a Salesman/South Pacific |
| Conductor and Musical Director | Max Meth, As the Girls Go |