Final answer:
The Tony Award, also known as the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, is the annual award ceremony that honors achievements in Broadway Theater, including categories like Best Actor and Best Original Musical.
Step-by-step explanation:
The annual award ceremony that honors Broadway Theater is known as the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, commonly referred to as the Tony Award. This prestigious event celebrates the best of Broadway, recognizing outstanding achievements in various categories such as Best Actor, Best Director, Best Original Musical, and Best Choreography, among others. Promoted by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, the Tony Awards ceremony is typically held in June in New York City and is televised. It began in 1947 and has become the most notable accolade for achievement on the Broadway stage. Stepping into the limelight to receive a Tony is a milestone for many actors including luminaries like Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Denzel Washington.
While the Tony Awards recognize Broadway productions, off-Broadway shows are honored by their own awards, such as the Obie Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Lucille Lortel Award. London's West End Theatre has comparable accolades like the Laurence Olivier Awards. The record for the most Tony Awards ever received by a single show goes to the 2001 musical The Producers, with a grand total of 12 Tonys. Not far behind, the 2016 musical Hamilton secured 11 wins. The rich history of musical theater and its prestigious awards continue to celebrate and nurture the vibrant talent of the industry.