UPDATE: New York Theatre Companies with Broadway Houses Still Ineligible for Regional Theatre Tony Award

Earlier today, the Tony Awards Administration Committee announced that starting with the 2013-2014 season, New York-based theatre companies can now be eligible to receive the Regional Theatre Award. BroadwayWorld has since confirmed that New York City theatre companies that are associated with a Broadway house will continue to be ineligible for the award- including such groups as Roundabout Theatre Company and Manhattan Theatre Club.

Each year, the Tony Awards Administration Committee presents a Tony Award to a regional theater on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association. This past weekend, the 2013 Regional Theatre Award was presented to the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, Massachusetts. Other recipients include: the Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington, D.C.; Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago, Illinois; Eugene O'Neill Theatre Company, Waterford, Connecticut; Signature Theatre, Arlington, Virginia; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago, Illinois; ALLIANCE THEATRE, Atlanta, Georgia; Intiman Playhouse, Seattle, Washington, and others.

"The Tony Awards support excellence in the theatre - from home town community theatre to Broadway. The Regional Theatre Award honors artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theatre nationally," said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League & Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing. "New York has some of the most prestigious and creative theatre groups in the country and we are thrilled to include the New York theatre community in this category."

The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Nick Scandalios is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is Executive Director. At the American Theatre Wing, William Ivey Long is Chairman and Heather Hitchens is Executive Director. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are the Executive Producers of the 2013 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Director of the 2013 Tony Awards.

IBM, the official information technology partner of the Tony Awards, develops, designs, and hosts the official Tony Awards website, www.TonyAwards.com across digital platforms. Audemars Piguet is the presenting sponsor of the Tony Awards Red Carpet and Green Room. United Airlines is the official airline of the Tony Awards. The New York Times is the official and exclusive print media partner of the Tony Awards. Nexxus Salon Hair Care is the official beauty partner of the Tony Awards. Royal Caribbean International is the official cruise line of the Tony Awards. Paramount Hotel is the official hotel partner of the Tonys. PEOPLE is the official magazine partner of The Tony Awards.