Tony Awards broadcast canceled, ceremony in limbo amid writers strike
The Writers Guild of America reportedly denied a request for a waiver to allow the 2023 Tony Awards to air as scheduled on June 11 amid the ongoing writers strike.
The Hollywood Reporter reported Friday that the telecast of theater’s biggest night will not air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ as originally planned.
The Post has contacted reps for the Tonys and WGA for comment.
This season’s Tony Awards Management Committee petitioned the Writers Guild for such a waiver earlier this week, stressing that financially struggling Broadway shows rely on Tonys exposure to enhance ticket sales.
Shows hoping for a boost include “Kimberly Akimbo,” “Some Like It Hot,” and “Leopoldstadt.”
The Tonys management committee reportedly has set a meeting for Monday to decide between two options: Keep the non-televised June 11 date and invite nominees and media to a dinner or press conference, or postpone the show until the strike is over and the awards can be televised.
The Writers Guild of America — an alliance of two labor unions representing more than 11,000 film, television, news, radio and online writers — went on strike May 2.
The Tonys were to take place at the United Palace in NYC’s Washington Heights instead of its traditional home at Radio City Music Hall.
“West Side Story” star Ariana DeBose was set to host the ceremony for the second consecutive year.
The Tonys appear to be the second awards show affected by the writers strike.
The MTV Movie & TV Awards became a pre-recorded ceremony after host Drew Barrymore dropped out in solidarity with the writers.
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