Ep 1. The 43rd Annual Tony Awards

The 43rd Annual Tony Awards aired in 1989, celebrating the best of Broadway from the 1988-1989 season. Hosted by Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orbach, the show featured performances from the nominated and winning shows, as well as special appearances by famous actors and actresses.

The episode began with an opening number by the hosts, Lansbury and Orbach, showcasing their comedic talents and musical abilities. They introduced some of the nominees and talked about the exciting season on Broadway.

Throughout the show, there were performances from some of the biggest shows of the season. One of the highlights was the cast of "The Phantom of the Opera" performing their signature song, "The Music of the Night." Michael Crawford, the star of the show, delivered a powerful performance and wowed the audience with his vocal range.

Another standout moment was Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin's duet from "Les Misérables." The two stars, who had previously worked together in "Evita," performed "A Little Fall of Rain" with emotional intensity. The audience gave them a standing ovation.

There were also performances from "Into the Woods," "Anything Goes," and "Starmites." The latter was a surprise hit of the season and the performance featured a high-energy dance number with the cast showing off their impressive moves.

In addition to the performances, there were also awards given out to the best shows and performers of the season. "Into the Woods" was one of the biggest winners, taking home three awards including Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Other big winners included "The Phantom of the Opera," which won Best Musical, and "Chess," which won Best Actor and Actress in a Musical for David Carroll and Judy Kuhn.

Throughout the show, there were also special tributes to some of Broadway's biggest names. A musical tribute to the recently deceased Jerry Herman included performances of his songs from shows like "La Cage aux Folles" and "Hello, Dolly!" There was also a special tribute to Stephen Sondheim, who had recently turned 59, featuring performances of his songs from shows like "Company" and "Sweeney Todd."

Overall, the 43rd Annual Tony Awards was an exciting celebration of the best of Broadway from the 1988-1989 season. With performances from some of Broadway's biggest stars and awards given out to deserving shows and performers, it was a night to remember for everyone in attendance and watching at home.