US writers’ strike
Tony Awards live broadcast is cancelled
Musical actress Ariana DeBose will host the Tony Awards again in 2023
© imago/UPI Photo
The strike by the US screenwriters’ union makes a live broadcast of this year’s 76th Tony Awards impossible.
The Tony Awards, which are held annually on New York’s Broadway, have been overshadowed this year by the Writers Guild of America strike that has been going on since the beginning of May. How “The Hollwood Reporter” reportsthe event scheduled for June 11 cannot be broadcast live on TV as usual.
Theater and musical industry in financial difficulties
Talks between representatives of the “Broadway League” association and the American screenwriters’ union, in which a suspension of the strict conditions for the event was discussed, had failed in the run-up to the event. The “Broadway League” had previously officially asked for an exemption in order not to put further pressure on the financially ailing theater and musical industry.
Writers’ union exemption denied
However, since this exemption was rejected by the strike committee, there are now two options for the 76th Annual Tony Awards. Either the award ceremony will be held on June 11 without a live broadcast in the presence of the media. Or one decides to move the event to a date after the end of the strike in order to be able to take the desired media attention for the ailing industry with them.
The Broadway League, which includes many producers, theater owners and operators, favors the first option because it puts a great deal of strain on Broadway promoters who may not be able to advertise their shows for months at the prospective prices.