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Sutton Foster performs with the cast of 'Anything Goes' during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. GARY HERSHORN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfour631780

It’s that time of the year again.  That time when all the closet-theatre fans can’t help but expose themselves to their colleagues.  Who will it be this year?  And what treats will host Neil Patrick Harris bring to the night this time?  And will it be Audra McDonald or Cristin Milioti; “Once” or “Nice Work if You Can Get it”?  For those of you new to this scene (did you see what I did there?) I’m talking about the Tony Awards.

The Tonys is to live theatre what Super Bowl Sunday is to football, what the Academy Awards is to motion pictures, the Grammys to music, what the presidential election is to political parties… I’ll stop there.  Basically, it’s a big deal and it’s a big deal in the entertainment community, so therefore it’s a big deal of fun.

Every year since 1947 medals have been awarded to phenomenally dedicated and extremely talented actors, playwrights, composers, lyricists, set-designers and light-designers.  The number of Tony medals awarded has grown from a modest eleven per year to a thrilling twenty-six awards currently; plus any special awards the committee agrees on giving.

There are several traps, rule books and hoops one has to jump through in order to be eligible for a Tony.  First of all one has to qualify by having performed, directed and or designed in a Broadway Theater of some forty possibilities in New York City.  Then you have to be chosen by the nominating committee, comprising of thirty-five theatre professionals who  are only part of the committee for a brief three years (a bit like the Senate).  They are required to attend every Broadway Theater show until the deadline for the Tony considerations arrives, at which point the professionals gather and, almost as secretly as the Papal Conclave, decide on winners for each category.  The morning after this, the results are announced and those able to vote are encouraged to see every production that received a nomination.  There are roughly 830 voters for the Tonys; all of whom are members of different theatre societies and guilds.  These voters have the remaining weeks leading up to the Tonys to send in their ballots to an accounting firm for tallying.

Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) is hosting for the third time this Sunday.  A great hit last year with his duet with Hugh Jackman (if you haven’t seen it you need to!) everyone is looking forward to what he has up his sleeves this year.  With his subtle sense of humor, his goal is “To add little things in [the show] where you kind of need to watch, or maybe you’ll have to pause and TiVo back and freeze frame and go, ‘Did something — is that happening?’ I like the little weird, strange moments.”

Not only will you be getting to drink in his artistry and talent but as Mr. Harris puts it: “Most award shows, the entertainment that’s in it is usually put together just for that one night, so everyone’s fingers are crossed, and it usually doesn’t go very well.  These performances are well-crafted. They do them every night, and they’re spectacular. You’re getting see 12 performances that are going to be slam-dunks.”

Expect to see familiar faces like Ricky Martin in Evita, James Corden (Whatever Happened To Harold Smith , Heartlands, Gulliver’s Travels), John Lithgow, Stockard Channing aka Rizzo from Grease and all of the other nominees.  Stars like Angela Lansbury (past hostess of five Tonys), Josh Groban and Nick Jonas will be presenting awards; the banter between all the actors is a show in itself.

Who’s going to get Best this, and which show will get Best that? Well, obviously I don’t know, but I do have my favorites.  The choreography from Newsies, and the story line of Once, have stolen my heart; I’ve always been a fan of Matthew Broderick in Nice Work if You Can Get It….But when it comes down to it, all of these performers are incredible, it’s like comparing mint-chocolate-chip ice cream and veggie pizza: you can’t.  They are totally different genres that touch very different parts of our hearts (or tongues) but equally as enjoyable.

This Sunday, 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS.  Be there.

Kelli OHara and Matthew Broderick during the Nice Work If You Can Get It open press rehearsal at Gibney Dance Studios in New York City. INFphoto.com/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: infphotos493676

Ricky Martin during the first preview Curtain Call for the Broadway Revival of 'Evita' at the Marquis Theatre in New York City. INFphoto.com/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: infphotos492072

Host Neil Patrick Harris performs in a scene from the musical 'Company' during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. GARY HERSHORN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfour631851

Actor Hugh Jackman dances with host Neil Patrick Harris (R) during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. GARY HERSHORN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfour631710

Actor Hugh Jackman performs with host Neil Patrick Harris (R) during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. GARY HERSHORN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfour631706

Actor Andrew Rannells (L) performs a scene from "The Book of Mormon" during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. GARY HERSHORN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfour631668

Host Neil Patrick Harris performs in the opening number during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011. GARY HERSHORN/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfour631587

James Corden One Man, Two Guvnors - photocall held at the National Theatre. London, England - 23.05.11. WENN Photos/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: wennphotostwo870201

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