Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, THE FULL MONTY's Boys Let It Go, 2001

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, a look at some of the Tony Awards' most memorable moments from the past three decades.

Opening on Broadway in October of 2000, David Yazbek and Terrence McNally's THE FULL MONTY, an Americanized version of the 1997 British film, was the big new musical hit of the season until THE PRODUCERS opened in the home stretch before the Tony deadline.

And while Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan's smash took a record twelve Tonys that year, THE FULL MONTY won over hearts with its messages about body image, gender relations and respect for homosexuals.

On the telecast, Kathleen Freeman, as tough-as-nails rehearsal pianist Jeanette, introduced Patrick Wilson, John Ellison Conlee, Jason Danieley, Andre De Shields, Marcus Neville and Romain Frugé performing the big strip-tease finale, "Let It Go" (No, not that "Let It Go.") while Annie Golden and Emily Skinner were among the ladies cheering them on.

The American Theatre Wing's 70th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Tony Award winner James Corden, will air on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.