Ariana DeBose kicked off the 76th Annual Tony Awards on Sunday night with a spirited dance number and a heartfelt salute of support for the writers’ strike — while also poking fun at the fact that this year’s ceremony was historically held without a script. Will work.
“I’m unscripted — as will each of the presenters who take the stage tonight. We’re making it up as we go,” said the “West Side Story” Oscar winner.
She gave a nod to her hosting gig from last year’s ceremony: “To anyone who thought last year might have been a little haphazard, I say: Darlings, buckle up.”
The show, which aired live on CBS and Paramount+ from the historic United Palace in New York City, began with DeBose sitting at a lighted vanity in front of a black binder labeled “Script”. Turning its pages, they were all blank, the first indication of the ceremony that the next three hours were running without a script due to the WGA strike.
What came next was a high-energy dance routine through the theater’s halls, orchestra aisles and stage boards, featuring live musicians, dancers, tunes such as Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind”, and DeBose headlining. Holding front and center. Tony-nominated performers such as Sara Bareilles (“Into the Woods”) and Samuel L. Jackson (“The Piano Lesson”) sat front row. Jackson, standing at one point, appeared on stage to welcome DeBos.
“Okay, okay,” DeBose said, regularly active. He swallowed hard. “Dry mouth,” he joked as he began his off-the-cuff monologue.
“Welcome to the 76th Annual Tony Awards! We’re coming to you live from this grand theater in Washington Heights, the United Palace – Uptown, baby! And by the way, Happy Puerto Rican Day,” she told the cheering crowd. It was very special that I was able to debut in a choreographed number tonight with dance forward and music forward carla puno garcia,
DeBose then took a few minutes to explain how this year’s ceremony might look different from previous years, adding that there is a “very good reason” The opening began with a blank script.
“Our brothers and sisters in the WGA are on strike right now in search of a fair deal. And how many of us know what that is?” before answering a rhetorical question about what the writers’ strike had to do with Broadway’s biggest night. “Awards shows are traditionally written by members of the WGA. So to keep this show going A whole host of people had to come together to find a settlement. And they’re all here, so to everybody who had a hand in finding that settlement, I say a big thank you to you.
“And so now you’re asking: Well, what’s the deal? We don’t have a script, you guys. I’m live and unscripted—you’re welcome. So for anyone who thought last year might have been a little unbalanced, To them I say, ‘Dear, buckle up.’ But in all seriousness, yeah, I’m not scripted, as will be with every presenter who takes the stage tonight. We’re just making it up as we go along, and that’s cool. A Once again, I am privileged to be here.”
So what else was the point of a script-free ceremony? No teleprompters for the presenters — but DeBose explained that there were two screens in the back of the theater for the winners “If your lovely speeches start to take a little too long, you really have to count. But honestly, take your moment. Today the night is about you
“Actually, I’m getting a ‘please wrap up,'” DeBose continued, beginning his monologue’s conclusion. “What I want to tell you is that the Tony Awards are very special, and everyone here has worked very hard to not only respect those guidelines but celebrate their accomplishments and their accomplishments this season.. You all should be very proud of everything you’ve delivered for this Broadway season.
