STAGE

As in past years, the June 4 Tony Awards telecast proved to be a healthy commercial for the Broadway box office. Daily Variety reported Wednesay that last week’s total Broadway gross of $4.9 million was a 12% increase over the previous week. Every Broadway show except one improved, and oddly the one exception was the hit, “Phantom of the Opera” (grosses for that sold-out musical vary according to credit card commissions on ticket sales). “Black and Blue,” which won three Tonys, jumped from $293,387 to $395,229. “The Heidi Chronicles,” named best play, was up $48,000, and “Lend Me a Tenor,” which got the best actor award, was up by $61,000. Brief scenes from the shows were seen on the telecast.