2019 Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre Have Been Awarded at a Special Ceremony

On Monday, June 3, the 2019 Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre were awarded in a special ceremony at the midtown Sofitel. The Tony Honors recognize individuals whose work has made a remarkable impact in the theater community, but does not fit within any of the established award categories. Among those honored were:

Joseph Blakely Forbes, founder of Scenic Art Studios, creator of scenery for more than 350 theatrical productions. Forbes’ operation, which was founded in 1994, has worked to speed up its production process to save time and labor to meet the requirements of modern theater. In the case of the latest “Hello, Dolly!” revival, for example, this involved having his studio work on four scenic backdrops at the same time.

Michael McElroy, founder of Broadway Inspirational Voices. McElroy began his Broadway acting career in 1992, and two years later created Broadway Inspirational Voices with 12 founding members and the goal of raising money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. As he continued to act on Broadway, picking up a Tony nomination for his role in the 2004 revival of Big River, his choir kept growing in size and recognition.

Peter Entin, a former executive with the Shubert Organization who served as vice president of theatre operations for 43 years. Entin praised two “unsung heroes” of the Shubert Organization: John Darby, senior vice president of facilities, and Keith Marston, vice president of facilities, whom he credited with keeping mishaps at bay.

Firefighters from FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, who had to miss the reception to fight an ongoing fire. (see the related NiteLife Exchange story).

Monday’s ceremony also acknowledged the recipients of the Special Tony Awards to Jason Michael Webb for his vocal arrangements in Choir Boy; Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company for creating the 20 foot-tall puppet in King Kong and to the Marin Mazzie, who was honored posthumously for her “advocacy and leadership” in the theater community. Jason Danieley, Mazzie’s husband, accepted the award on her behalf.