Elaine Paige Will Host Tony Awards Highlights on BBC Radio 2

The Tony Awards® announced today that highlights of this year's 69th annual Awards will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 as part of a new partnership for 2015. Elaine Paige will host coverage of the Tony Awards on June 7, 2015, for a special program to be broadcast from 8-10pm on June 12, 2015, which will also include performances from the ceremony itself.

"As a part of our continued efforts to bring the Tony Awards to a greater global audience, we are delighted to embark on a new partnership with BBC Radio 2 that will allow for even more Broadway fans around the world to be able to enjoy the magic and excitement of the Tony Awards," Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing, said.

Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes for BBC Radio 2, said: "I'm delighted that, for the first time, Radio 2 will be broadcasting highlights from this year's prestigious Tony Awards, which will be a fantastic addition to the station's arts and music programming. Who better to host it for us than star of the stage and Radio 2 presenter, Elaine Paige, who will be bringing all the action from the night to fans of Broadway in the UK."

Radio 2 will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes action from the red carpet at the Tony Awards and exclusive behind-the-scenes action from the Tony Awards press room. . Elaine Paige - who celebrates the best of Broadway, Hollywood and the West End in her weekly Radio 2 show, 'EP on Sunday' (1pm to 3pm) - will be at the event to capture all the action.

The American Theatre Wing's 69th Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, which are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on Sunday, June 7th, 2015 (8:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET/PT time delay) on the CBS Television Network. The Tony Awards, which honors theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway, has been broadcast on CBS since 1978. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

The official eligibility cut-off date will be Thursday, April 23, 2015, for all Broadway productions opening in the 2014-2015 season. Productions which meet all other eligibility requirements and open on or before the eligibility date are considered eligible for 2015 Tony Award nominations.

The Nominations for the 2015 Tony Awards will be announced live on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, from New York City.

For more information on the Tony Awards, visit TonyAwards.com and Facebook.com/TheTonyAwards and follow @TheTonyAwards on Instagram and Twitter.

The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Robert E. Wankel is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is Executive Director. At the American Theatre Wing, William Ivey Long is Chairman and Heather Hitchens is President. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are the Executive Producers of the 2015 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Director of the 2015 Tony Awards.

IBM, the official information technology partner of the Tony Awards, develops, designs, and hosts the official Tony Awards digital experience across platforms, includingwww.TonyAwards.com. Carnegie Mellon University is the first-ever, exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards. United Airlines is the official airline of the Tony Awards. Paramount Hotel is the official hotel partner of the Tonys. City National Bank is the official bank of the Tony Awards. La Crema, known for elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is the official wine of the Tony Awards. PEOPLE is the official magazine partner of the Tony Awards. Clear Channel Spectacolor is an official media partner of the Tony Awards and co-producer of the Tonys Simulcast in Times Square. The Hollywood Reporter is an official media partner of The Tony Awards.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK's most listened-to radio station, with a weekly audience of over 15 million listeners. The network broadcasts an unrivalled range of music genres ranging from pop to soul, country, folk, musical theatre, brass, and rhythm & blues and beyond. Its output is a diverse and rich mix which includes live concerts, the arts, documentaries, social action campaigns and religious programming. Find out more at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2.