The 37th Annual Tony Awards was held at the Gershwin Theatre on June 5, 1983, and broadcast by CBS television. Hosts were Richard Burton, Lena Horne, and Jack Lemmon.

37th Tony Awards
DateJune 5, 1983
LocationGershwin Theatre, New York City, New York
Hosted byRichard Burton, Lena Horne, and Jack Lemmon
Television/radio coverage
NetworkCBS
← 36th · Tony Awards · 38th →

The ceremony

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Presenters included George Abbott, Diahann Carroll, David Cassidy, James Coco, Cleavant Derricks, Colleen Dewhurst, Sergio Franchi, Bonnie Franklin, Peter Michael Goetz, Mark Hamill, Cheryl Hartley, Florence Lacey, Frank Langella, Court Miller, Liliane Montevecchi, Jerry Orbach, Jay Patterson, John Rubinstein, and Pamela Sousa.[1]

The Special Salute was a medley of George Gershwin songs. At the end of the ceremony the Uris Theatre was renamed the Gershwin Theatre.[2] Songs included: "The Real American Folk Song" sung by Diahann Carroll, "Stairway to Paradise" sung by Ben Vereen, "Somebody Loves Me" sung by Jack Lemmon and Ginger Rogers, "Lady Be Good" sung by Hal Linden and Ginger Rogers, "Someone to Watch Over Me" sung by Melissa Manchester, "How Long Has This Been Going On?" sung by Bonnie Franklin, "Vodka" sung by Dorothy Loudon, "I Got Rhythm" sung by Michele Lee and "There's a Boat dat's Leavin' Soon For New York" sung by Robert Guillaume.[1]

Musicals represented:[1]

During his acceptance speech, Torch Song Trilogy producer John Glines thanked his partner and lover, Lawrence Lane, in a statement widely thought to be the first open acknowledgement of a gay partner at a major awards show.[3][4][5]

Winners and nominees

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Source: BroadwayWorld[6]

Winners are in bold

Best Play Best Musical
Best Revival Best Book of a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Best Choreography
Best Direction of a Play Best Direction of a Musical
Best Scenic Design Best Costume Design
Best Lighting Design

Special awards

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Multiple nominations and awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "1983 - 37th Annual Tony Awards" tonyawards.com, accessed April 30, 2011
  2. ^ Lawson, Carol." 'Cats' And 'Torch Song Trilogy' Win Top Tonys" New York Times (abstract), June 6, 1983, p. C11
  3. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (August 17, 2018). "John Glines, Who Helped Bring 'Torch Song' to Broadway, Dies at 84". New York Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  4. ^ Snow, Nicholas (June 17, 2014). "Who Was the First Person to Ever Thank a Same-Sex Partner on a Nationally Televised Awards Show? (AUDIO/VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  5. ^ McPhee, Ryan (August 9, 2018). "Tony-Winning Torch Song Trilogy Producer John Glines Dies at 84". Playbill.com. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  6. ^ "1983 Tony Award Winners" broadwayworld.com, accessed April 30, 2011 Archived July 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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