Ep 1. The 43rd Annual Tony Awards

The 43rd Annual Tony Awards celebrates the best of Broadway theater for the 1998-1999 season. The show is hosted by Rosie O'Donnell and features performances from nominated shows including "Fosse," "The Lion King," "Annie Get Your Gun," and "Swan Lake." The ceremony also includes appearances from numerous celebrities presenting awards, such as Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, and Chita Rivera.

Throughout the broadcast, viewers are treated to clips from the nominated shows and interviews with some of the nominees. Additionally, the show features a tribute to the late Frank Loesser, composer of "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and a special performance by a children's choir honoring "The Sound of Music" on its 40th anniversary.

The nominees for Best Musical include "Fosse," a tribute to the renowned choreographer and director Bob Fosse, "The Civil War," a musical adaptation of the Ken Burns documentary, "It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues," celebrating the history of blues music, and "Parade," a powerful drama about the 1913 lynching of Leo Frank.

The Best Play nominees include "Not About Nightingales," a previously unpublished work by Tennessee Williams, "Closer," a modern drama exploring the complexities of love and relationships, and "Side Man," a deeply personal story about a jazz musician and his family.

In addition to the traditional categories, the awards ceremony includes special awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater, presented to actress Elizabeth Ashley, and Regional Theater Tony, presented to The Utah Shakespearean Festival.

The show concludes with the highly-anticipated announcement of the evening's biggest winners, including Best Musical and Best Play. The energy and excitement of the theater community is palpable as the envelope is opened and the winner is revealed.

Overall, The 43rd Annual Tony Awards is a celebration of the artistry and talent that make Broadway theater so unique and special. From stunning performances to heartfelt acceptance speeches, the show highlights the best of what theater has to offer and reminds us of the power of storytelling to move and inspire us.