How much is a Tony Award worth?

In terms of what it can do to an artist’s career, the answer is: it’s priceless.

But the Tony organizers are selling the awards for $2500.

There’s a catch. You actually have to be the producer or investor of the Tony-winning best play or musical.

The organizers provide two statuettes for the lead producers of the winning show. But most shows require dozens of producers and investors to raise the multi-million dollar budgets.

So the organizers offer the remaining producers a chance to buy their own statuette for $2500. It’s a way of raising money for the Tony ceremony. Last year’s sale brought in $250,000.

Artists say selling the Tony cheapens the award. But the League of Broadway Producers says most shows lose money, and the chance of putting a Tony on your mantelpiece is a major incentive for prospective backers.