The Writers Guild of America has denied a waiver to allow the Tony Awards to be televised on CBS and Paramount+ on June 11, according to a report Friday in the hollywood reporter, which means the show may not air on CBS/Paramount+ as planned, or may not even happen at all.
“The Tony Awards are the biggest commercial for the industry in general, and for a show like mine, which is unbranded and right at the stage where we are finally starting to see some vitality, it would be devastating not to be able to be a part of it. . of this,” said Mike Bosner, the lead producer of “Shucked,” one of five shows nominated for Best New Musical. The New York Times on Friday.
TheWrap has reached out to the Tony Awards PR company, as well as the WGA, CBS and Paramount+ for comment.
Ariana DeBose was set to return as the host of the 2023 awards. Nominees include Jessica Chastain, Corey Hawkins, Sean Hayes, Wendell Pierce, and Josh Groban.
Robert Greenblatt, one of the producers of another Best New Musical nominee, “Some Like It Hot,” told the Times: “I guess there won’t be a broadcast.” Greenblatt was president of NBC Entertainment and WarnerMedia and helped launch HBO Max.
Times reporter Michael Paulson, who co-wrote the story, tweeted early Friday: “Broadway is asking the union for a waiver, arguing that the theater is not part of the Hollywood dispute and that the Tonys are key to keeping the unions afloat.” new musicals”.
“It would be especially devastating to not have that opportunity, to not be able to show how many great and diverse plays and musicals are on Broadway right now,” said Eva Price, producer of “& Juliet,” who is also set to participate. Best New Musical.
According to the Times, the Tony Awards management committee has called an emergency meeting for Monday morning to discuss their options.
The reaction on Twitter was mixed, with some saying Broadway shouldn’t have to take a beating for Hollywood, while others argued it’s more important that the strike continue.
“I love the Tonys, I love the theater and strikes don’t work if they’re convenient.” tweeted author Jamie Green.
The WGA strike, which began on May 2 and remains unresolved, has already resulted in changes to the MTV Movie and TV Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards.
