Tony Awards Season 33 Episode 1 The 33rd Annual Tony Awards

The 33rd Annual Tony Awards is a celebration of excellence in American theater. Presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, it honors the best productions and performances of the 1980-1981 Broadway season. Hosted by Ellen Burstyn and Richard Burton, the show features a star-studded lineup of presenters and performers, including Liza Minelli, Lena Horne, and Patti LuPone.

The episode begins with an opening number featuring the Tony Award-winning cast of "Evita," led by LuPone. Burstyn and Burton then take the stage to welcome the audience and introduce the first presenter, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Murphy presents the award for Best Featured Actress in a Play, which goes to Swoosie Kurtz for "The Fifth of July."

The next presenter is Irene Worth, who announces the winner of Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Cleavant Derricks for "Dreamgirls." He gives an emotional speech, thanking his fellow cast members and the show's creative team.

Burstyn and Burton then introduce a special tribute to Fred Ebb, the legendary Broadway lyricist who passed away earlier that year. The tribute features performances of Ebb's most famous songs, including "New York, New York" and "All That Jazz," by Minelli, Chita Rivera, and Joel Grey.

After the tribute, Jill Clayburgh presents the award for Best Direction of a Play, which goes to John Dexter for "Amadeus." The next award, for Best Direction of a Musical, is presented by Tony Randall to Wilford Leach for "The Pirates of Penzance."

The award for Best Book of a Musical is presented by Bob Hope to Maury Yeston for "Nine." The next award, for Best Original Score, is presented by Bea Arthur to Ralph Burns for "Fosse."

LuPone returns to the stage to perform a show-stopping number from "Evita" before the award for Best Actor in a Play is presented by Geraldine Page to Ian McKellen for "Amadeus." McKellen thanks his co-star Tim Curry and director John Dexter in his acceptance speech.

The next award, for Best Actress in a Play, is presented by Jane Fonda to Jane Lapotaire for "Piaf." Lapotaire gives an emotional speech, dedicating her award to her co-star, David Selby, who had passed away just a few weeks earlier.

The award for Best Actress in a Musical is presented by Gregory Hines to Jennifer Holliday for "Dreamgirls." Holliday delivers a powerful performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" in her acceptance speech.

The final award of the night, for Best Musical, is presented by Walter Cronkite to "42nd Street." The entire cast takes the stage for a rousing finale number, bringing the show to a close.

The 33rd Annual Tony Awards was a night to remember, showcasing the best of Broadway and honoring the artists who make it all possible.