Ecorazzi

Who doesn’t love the Tony Awards? Ok, ok, there are some out there with no love of signing, dancing, and fabulous musical numbers (Thank you Hugh Jackman for injecting some of that into the Oscars), but for those with a healthy appreciation of Broadway, this is the night to celebrate live theater!

For the first time ever, the Tonys are striking a green hot note in collaboration with the Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) and with guidance from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). These two organizations have for the past year been working diligently to improve the environmental impact of New York’s theater scene. The 2009 Tony Awards marks the first public display of the BGA’s industry-wide initiative to educate, motivate and inspire the theater community and its patrons to adopt environmentally friendlier practices in theater production and reduce its environmental footprint. Here are some highlights of the green happening behind-the-scenes:

>>2009 Tony Awards edition of Playbill will be printed on paper with 30% post-consumer recycled content.
>>500 Clear2Go reusable water bottles with replaceable filters for event guests
>>Hybrid vehicles are being provided for presenter and performer transportation.
>>Recycling bins are being provided at Radio City concession stands for plastic bottles and in production offices for plastics and paper waste.
>>The Red Carpet is made from 100% recycled material with 49% post consumer content.
>>Banners for the show were printed on non-PVC plastics and will be reused or recycled after event.

In addition to the above, Radio City Music Hall also did an energy efficiency analysis of the building resulting in newly installed efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and faucets, and post-consumer recycled content tissue products. “Broadway has landed a starring role in demonstrating to New Yorkers how sustainable practices are easy to implement, and are good for the environment and the bottom line,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Many of the steps the ‘Broadway Green Alliance’ has taken are only visible in the back of the house, but now they will be in the spotlight of the Tony Awards.”

Look for the curtain to rise on the 2009 Tony Awards — with Neil Patrick Harris as host — this coming June 7th on CBS.