We had expected Oscar-winning host Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) to lead with a medley of pre-existing songs - but we didn’t expect her not to sing. We knew going in that, due to the agreement between the Tony producers and the WGA, the ceremony wouldn’t have one of those bespoke opening numbers that so often open awards shows. SURPRISE: An opening number that took “no script” to the extreme Later, host Ariana DeBose opened the CBS portion of the telecast by voicing her own support of the union. Sure enough, writers spotlit the WGA’s cause starting with the evening’s very first award, when “ Kimberly Akimbo” lyricist David Lindsay-Abaire opened his speech with a shout-out to writers.
However, many of those union members, after conferring with the Dramatists Guild, made the decision to attend the Tonys anyway – and to use the nationally televised opportunity to get vocal about their support for writers and the WGA.
But the union made a follow-up request: They asked Tony-nominated guild members not to attend the Tonys in solidarity, and to pre-tape acceptance speeches or have a non-member accept on their behalf. SNUB: The WGA’s request to nominated membersĪfter producers of the Tonys vowed not to include material written specifically for the awards show, the Writers Guild of America agreed not to picket the ceremony. Here are the biggest snubs, surprises and standouts from the 2023 Tony Awards. In a Broadway awards ceremony without a script, there were bound to be unexpected twists, turns and upsets.
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