The 52nd Annual Tony Awards ceremony was held on June 7, 1998, at Radio City Music Hall and was broadcast by CBS television. A documentaries segment was telecast on PBS television. The ceremony was hosted by Rosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable for its Best Direction of a Play and Best Direction of a Musical winners both being female, the first time a female has won either award.[citation needed] The writer of the Best Play winner was also female, the second female winner of the award.[citation needed] The Lion King's win made it the first franchise to complete EGOT status, having won six awards including Best Musical. Its closest rivals were the very successful revival of Cabaret, and the top-nominated (having earned 13 nominations) show Ragtime.
