(Mary) Antoinette Perry (1888 – 1946), actress, director, and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, was born in Denver, Colorado on June 27, 1888. Perry spent her childhood aspiring to replicate the thespian artistry of her aunt and uncle, both of whom were well-respected touring actors. She appeared opposite David Warfield in Music Master in 1906 when she was only eighteen years old. Her career was on the rise, yet she left the stage a star in 1909, to marry Denver businessman Frank W. Frueauff and start a family. Years later, her daughters would follow in her footsteps, likewise pursuing careers in the theatre, Elaine as a producer and Margaret as a stage manager. 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... A theatre director is a principal in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a play by unifying various endeavors and aspects of production. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Mile-High City Location Location of Denver in Colorado Coordinates , Government City-County Denver (coextensive) Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 154. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Following Frank Frueaff's death in 1922, Perry returned to the stage, appearing notably in Kaufman & Ferber's Minick. She took up directing in 1928. In partnership with Brock Pemberton she produced several successful plays, including Divorce Me Dear, Ceiling Zero, Red Harvest, Strictly Dishonorable, Personal Appearance, and Kiss the Boys Goodbye. Their most famous production was probably the Pulitzer Prize-winning Mary Chase classic Harvey, which enjoyed moderate success on Broadway and lasting success as a film, both starring Jimmy Stewart. Perry tragically passed away during the play's lengthy Broadway run on June 28, 1946. 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... George Simon Kaufman (November 16, 1889 - June 2, 1961) was a playwright, director, producer, humorist, and drama critic noted for his many collaborations with other writers and his contributions to 20th century American comedy. ... Edna Ferber (August 15, 1885 - April 16, 1968), Jewish-American novelist, author, and playwright. ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Brock Pemberton Brock Pemberton (December 14, 1885 - March 11, 1950) was a theatrical producer, director and founder of the Tony Awards. ... The gold medal awarded for Public Service in Journalism The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical compositions. ... Mary Chase can refer to: Author Mary Ellen Chase Playwright/screenwriter Mary Coyle Chase ... Harvey is a play by Mary Chase. ... Harvey is a 1950film starring Jimmy Stewart. ... Jimmy Stewart, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1934 James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American film actor beloved for his persona as an average guy who faces adversity and tries to do the right thing, an image which was largely reflected in his own personality. ... June 28 is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 186 days remaining. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

Perry helped found, and was chairman of the board and secretary of, the American Theatre Wing, which operated the Stage Door Canteens during World War II, providing entertainment to servicemen in several American cities. After her death, her friends and colleagues took action to memorialize her contribution to the high standards of American theatre. Brock Pemberton suggested that the American Theatre Wing create a series of awards to be given in her honor. Since 1947, the Antoinette Perry Awards have been given annually for distinguished achievement in theatre, and are one of the theatre world's most coveted honors. They are universally known by their nickname, the Tony Awards. The American Theatre Wing (ATF) is a New York City-based organization dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre, according to its mission statement. ... Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... What is popularly called the Tony Award (formally, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre) is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theater, including musical theater, primarily honoring productions on Broadway in New York. ...

External links

• Antoinette Perry's Gravesite
• Antoinette Perry's biography at the American Theatre Wing website
• Antoinette Perry's biography at the Encyclopaedia Britannica website