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.
| 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 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]
Note: nominees not shown
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Play | Death of a SalesmanbyArthur 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 |
The following productions received multiple awards.