Kevin Spacey to host the 71st Annual Tony Awards

The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing have officially confirmed that Tony and Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey will host the 71st Annual Tony Awards, the biggest night in Broadway's theatre calendar. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. This will be Mr. Spacey's first time as Host of the prestigious awards.

Mr. Spacey released the following statement:

"I was their 2nd choice for Usual Suspects, 4th choice for America Beauty and 15th choice to host this year's Tony Awards. I think my career is definitely going in the right direction. Maybe I can get shortlisted to host the Oscars if everyone else turns it down."

Kevin Spacey was last seen on Broadway in the 2007 revival of 'A Moon for the Misbegotten.' He won a Tony Award in 1991 for his performance as Louie in 'Lost in Yonkers.' He was also nominated in 1999 for playing Theodore Hickman in 'The Iceman Cometh.' Other Broadway credits include 'Long Day's Journey Into Night' (1986), 'Hurlyburly' (1984-5) and his Broadway debut in 'Ghosts' (1982). In recent years, he has appeared mostly on the London stage due to his residency at the Old Vic. His West End credits include 'Clarence Darrow,' 'Inherit the Wind,' 'A Moon for the Misbegotten,' 'National Anthems,' 'Philadelphia Story,' 'Richard II,' 'Richard III,' and 'Speed-The-Plow.' His many screen credits include his Oscar-winning performances in "American Beauty," and "The Usual Suspects," as well as "L.A. Confidential," "Moon," "Se7en," "House of Cards," and many more.

The nominations for this year's Tony Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. All Broadway productions in the 2016-2017 season, who officially open on or before the eligibility cut-off date of Thursday, April 27, 2017 (and meet all other requirements) can be considered for nominations.

Continuing the tradition, CBS will broadcast the ceremony live, as it has done since 1978.