| 51st Tony Awards | |
| Date: | June 1, 1997 |
| Location: | Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York |
| Host: | Rosie O'Donnell |
| Network: | CBS |
| Previous: | 50th |
| Main: | Tony Awards |
| Next: | 52nd |
The 51st Annual Tony Awards was broadcast by CBS from Radio City Music Hall on June 1, 1997. "Launching the Tonys" was telecast on PBS television. The event was hosted by Rosie O'Donnell. The awards ceremony moved away from Broadway for the first time in 30 years. As Radio City Music Hall is much larger than any Broadway theater, this allowed members of the general public to attend the ceremony.[1]
Chicago won six awards, the most of the night, including Best Revival of a Musical. Jonathan Tunick's win for Titanic made him the seventh person to become an EGOT winner.
Shows that opened on Broadway during the 1996–1997 season before May 1, 1997 are eligible.
The opening number: "On Broadway" - Rosie O'Donnell; "Rent" - cast of Rent; "Jellicle Cats" - cast of Cats; "I'm A Woman" - female cast of Smokey Joe's Cafe, "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk" - cast of Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; "Greased Lightnin'" - Rosie O'Donnell and cast of Grease; "Be Our Guest" - cast of Beauty and the Beast.
Presenters: Julie Andrews, Lauren Bacall, Alec Baldwin, Christine Baranski, Dixie Carter, Savion Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Joel Grey, Marilu Henner, Hal Holbrook, Swoosie Kurtz, Liza Minnelli, Mary Tyler Moore, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Roseanne Barr, Susan Sarandon, Jimmy Smits, Marisa Tomei, Rip Torn, Leslie Ann Warren, Raquel Welch.
Musicals represented:
Winners are in bold
These productions had multiple nominations:
The following productions received multiple awards.