Theater News

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Releases Special Edition Tony Award Bow Tie

The Modern Family actor and current Shakespeare in the Park star has designed a new tie honoring Tony for Tie The Knot, his line of gay marriage awareness bow ties.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
(© Tristan Fuge)

Gays love bow ties! That’s why Drama Desk Award winner Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and his partner, Justin Mikita, founded Tie the Knot, a company that raises money for Marriage Equality by selling stylish bow ties. Their latest creation is a special edition bow tie designed by Ferguson and Mikita for the 2013 Tony Awards, which take place at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday June 9.

The handmade tie is 100% black silk (escándalo!), with silver and blue stripes. An official statement describes the tie as “formal enough for black tie affairs such as the Tonys, or for just hanging out on a Saturday in Central Park.” That is, if you’re the type who likes to wear bow ties to Central Park. (I’m looking at you, Tony nominee Billy Magnussen.)

Ferguson is a busy guy lately. Best known for his portrayal of Mitchell on ABC’s Modern Family, he is set to begin performances of Shakespeare in the Park’s The Comedy of Errors a week from today (May 28) at the Delacorte Theater. He also graces the cover of this month’s issues of The Advocate. In his spare time, he designs bow ties.

"The Antoinette Perry" from Tie the Knot.
“The Antoinette Perry” from Tie the Knot.

Since launching last November, Tie The Knot has raised over $50,000 for marriage equality organizations. Beneficiaries include the Human Rights Campaign and The Respect for Marriage Coalition. They also have a tie designed by actor/Facebook mayor George Takei, which sold out in nine days. Oh my!

Who knows how many theater celebs will be caught wearing one of these come June 9? So get the Tony tie while you can.

And don’t worry if you can’t tie a bow tie. Here’s Ferguson to show you how: