1987. Les Mis. Me and My Girl. Tribute to Robert Preston sung by BP, Barbara Cook and Mary Martin; Tribute to George Abbott at the end. Angela Lansbury as host. Lansbury and Bea Arthur singing Bosom Buddies. Scenes from Broadway Bound, Fences, and Les Liaisons that were actually effective ('Tell me where it says I have to like you' and Polishing the Dining Room Table. Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse. Helen Hayes. I do not think that it topable, including the year that they celebrated past winning musicals (I think 1971).
There are incredible moments from many shows; this entire show was incredible. We even got John Napier's winning two Tonys after being nominated for three, and whining that he should have won for the fourth.
2013 ... as it was the first season I'd seen many of the nominated shows and performers before the Tonys. The telecast meant so much more to me since I had seen the shows.
And not to mention that fun over-the-top opening number with NPH and dozens of actors.
I forget the eexact year but it was somewhere in the 70's , when they brought back the original cast members of Tony Award winning shows going back 25 years. The next day it was the topic of discussion everywhere.
1996. It didn't have the greatest performances, but it a) was the 50th anniversary and included great tributes and highlights throughout and b) was the last ceremony where CBS cared enough to broadcast the design awards instead of bumping them for cruise ship Hairspray.