TONY Broadcast Star Announcement

There is little doubt that the Tony Award broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 15, will attract an audience. The question is how big it will be. While it is possible to speculate that the upcoming Broadway telecast could see an increase in ratings with Whoopi Goldberg as host, no one knows for sure. Now the list of celebrities who will serve as presenters at the 62nd annual award ceremony has been revealed. For those who love Broadway, there will be many familiar names to appreciate and tune in for. For those who don't know Broadway that well... at least there is always Harry Potter.

The names that will add star power to the telecast include Gabriel Byrne, Julie Chen, Harry Connick, Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Mandy Patinkin, David Hyde Pierce, Lily Tomlin and John Waters. These individuals join Alec Baldwin, Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, Richard Griffiths, Laura Linney, John Lithgow, Liza Minnelli, Mary-Louise Parker, Daniel Radcliffe, Brooke Shields and Marisa Tomei as presenters previously announced. Lithgow will be appearing with Katie Holmes in the fall, and Radcliffe plays Harry Potter on the screen. He'll be making his Broadway debut this fall as well.

Interestingly, this telecast will also feature performances from The Lion King and RENT. Neither show is in competition, but both will catch an audience's attention to be sure. The "Mary Poppins" number last year was tremendous, and hopefully the inclusion of a select number of performances from the stable of the Broadway long-runners will be regular part of future broadcasts. Also, Stephen Sondheim is being honored, so that promises to be exciting as well. Stars aside, the unpredictability of Stew could be well worth watching the awards even if they didn't have Julie Chen and Harry Connick Jr.

The awards are on June 15 from 8:00-11:00 EST. Those interested in pre-Tony Creative Arts Awards can log onto www.TonyAwards.com at 7:00 EST and enjoy.

For additional Broadway features visit http://www.broadway.tv/broadway-features-reviews

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Tony Awards, Whoopi Goldberg, CBS, Harry Potter, Gabriel Byrne, Julie Chen, Harry Connick, Jr, Laurence Fishburne, Mandy Patinkin, David Hyde Pierce, Lily Tomlin and John Waters Alec Baldwin, Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, Richard Griffiths, Laura Linney, John Lithgow, Liza Minnelli, Mary-Louise Parker, Daniel Radcliffe, Brooke Shields, Marisa Tomei, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, RENT, Stephen Sondheim, Creative Arts Awards