By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

For this year's special Tony Awards ceremony, the producers of "Black 2: Broadway" are mixing things up on The Great White Way.

The annual event, to be held at New York City's Lucille's at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on June 10, will feature an unusual pair of hosts for an evening of live performances, awards presentations and a special screening of 'The 61st Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards.'

Acclaimed actress Jenifer Lewis and popular MTV personality Sway Calloway will join forces as emcees of the evening, which will pay homage to the legendary Broadway production of 'The Wiz,' along with behind-the-scenes theater veterans George Faison and Irene Gandy.

"This is our third year of presenting this event in this fashion and we are very excited about it," noted Black 2: Broadway's co-founder and producer Kevin Anthony, who, himself, is a music and theater performer (previously starring in the Broadway revival of 'Grease.') "Year after year, we have a way of bringing out the best talent in the industry and pulling off a great show. This year, I anticipate everything to be remarkable."

Lewis recently performed a sold out extended version of her latest one-woman show 'Bipolar, Bath & Beyond' in Los Angeles. The Kinloch, Missouri native, last appearing in New York during the Shakespeare Theater Festival's production of 'Mother Courage' last summer, said it was a privilege to be involved this year.

"I am so honored to have been invited by the producers to participate in this year's celebration. The African American community has come a very long way in this arena and ...make no mistake, we will continue to do so in a positive and influential way."

Lewis has become a favorite among television audiences with her memorable stints on the long-running sitcom 'Girlfriends,' and the Lifetime network drama 'Strong Medicine.'

"I've always admired Miss Lewis," Anthony shared. "Many people who watch her on those late night re-runs of 'Girlfriends' don't realize that she is a Broadway babe. She was originally cast as Effie White in what would become the legendary Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls.' She also dazzled audiences with her roles in shows such as 'Eubie.' Not only can she act out and sing her face off, she is a force to be reckoned with in the theater community. So it just made sense to get her involved some way somehow."

In the mid-1990s Lewis was the toast of Off-Broadway when in-demand theater czar George C. Wolfe ('Bring N' Da Noize, Bring N' Da Funk') produced her poignant one-woman show 'The Diva Is Dismissed' at The Public Theater. Since the show's extended run downtown, theater patrons have been anticipating more of her on the stage.

And they will get her in all of her glory, she promises.

"New York is where it all began for me," Lewis, who will next star in the Tracey Edmonds-produced comedy 'Who's Your Caddy' (opening this summer) added. "And coming here is like coming home each and every time."

Calloway, on the other hand, has been making The Big Apple his home for the past few years since rising to international stardom via MTV. The charismatic, dreadlock-clad broadcasting veteran brings a different type of dynamic to the 'Black 2: Broadway' set. He is, after all, one of the most recognizable personalities on television who appeal to the much desired 18-34 year old demographic.

And although that particular audience -- and its huge discretionary income potential -- isn't known to frequent the aristocratic environs of the theater community, they are slowly being introduced to the genre via hugely marketed vehicles starring some of their their biggest performers.

The Oakland native said that seeing Usher (in 'Chicago') and 'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino (in 'The Color Purple') make their respective debuts on the Broadway stage inspired him to continue his commitment to supporting African Americans in the arts.

"Through my position at MTV, I believe I have been able to establish a great deal of credibility in the arts and I have always functioned with the mentality that I want to open doors and minds to new forms," he told The BV Newswire.

"Working in the midst of The Great White Way, I have always been interested in Broadway, but did not know how to navigate to experience the theatre. My initial idea of Broadway shows was very boring, but I now know that there is a myriad of different shows that reflect a wide spectrum of people, including African Americans, people who look like and act like myself. I am hoping that my presence will also encourage others who come from where I come from or enjoy the type of entertainment, especially in hip-hop, to give Broadway musicals and plays a chance."

Calloway added that he can't wait to feed off of Lewis' energy -- referring to her as "the ultimate professional."

Through the years, 'Black 2: Broadway' has attracted a who's who of theater talent as performers and/or award recipients, including Tony Award winners Melba Moore, Hinton Battle, Lillias White, Adrian Lenox, Tonya Pinkins, Ben Vereen, Jennifer Holliday, Savion Glover, the late Ruth Brown and countless others. Non-traditional personalities juxtaposed with revered theater veterans have proven to be a winning formula.

Speaking of veterans, special awards recognitions will be made to Faison and Gandy this year -- for their lifelong work and contribution to the black theater community.

Faison, winner of the 1975 Tony Award for "Best Choreography" for the original production of 'The Wiz,' will receive the Living Legend Award. The Washington DC native continues to be one of the most respected in his field -- winning an Emmy Award for his work in the critically acclaimed biopic 'The Josephine Baker Story,' and recently crafting the traveling musical 'If This Hat Could Talk,' based on the life of civil rights activist Dorothy Height.

He's currently working with R&B songwriters Ashford & Simpson on adapting best-selling author E. Lynn Harris' groundbreaking tome 'Invisible Life' for the stage.

Gandy, a veteran theater marketing expert who has produced and publicized Broadway shows since the 1960s, will receive the Vanguard Award.

Her latest shows 'Talk Radio,' 'Spring Awakenings' and August Wilson's 'Radio Golf,' have collectively garnered 17 Tony Award nominations this season.

Showing no signs of slowing down, the Long Island native says being honored by Black 2: Broadway during such an thriving theater season is "fantastic timing."

"I am very excited and thrilled," she said. "It is also important to me that we have our own celebration ... On Sunday, when I receive my award, I will be coming from the Red Carpet at Radio City Music Hall and out of 80 nominees less than one percent are people of color including Asian and Hispanic. This is why a celebration like 'Black 2: Broadway' is very essential."

"I feel especially happy about being in the same category with George, the first Black Choreographer to win a Tony," she added. "Theatre is my passion, I love it not as much as my daughter, but more than my Louis Vuitton bags."

This year's event, co-sponsored by Baccarat Fine Crystal, will have promotional support from Paramount Pictures and American Airlines.

Proceeds of the ticket sales will be donated to the Black Aids Institute.

For more information on Black 2: Broadway, log onto theatermania.com.

BV Extras:

-- SEE 'RADIO GOLF' FOR YOURSELF!!! Discounted Tickets are Available here.

-- George Faison is a winner!!! See a vintage clip ...