75th Annual Tony Awards in New York.
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The Writers Guild of America will not boycott the 2023 Tony Awards, the union announced Monday.
In a statement, the union said it will not negotiate an interim deal or waiver for the Tony Awards, as previously announced, but will not boycott this year’s show in whatever form it moves forward with.
“Tony Awards Productions (a joint venture of the Broadway League and the American Theater Wing) has communicated with us that they will modify this year’s show to comply with WGA’s specific requests, so the WGA will not boycott the show,” the guild said. “We stand with our colleagues on Broadway affected by our strike as they stood by us.”
Along with a message of solidarity for the Broadway community, the statement was responsible for the denial of the waiver on CBS and Paramount.
“The responsibility to make changes to the format of the 2023 Tony Awards rests squarely on the shoulders of Paramount/CBS and their partners,” the statement said. “They continue to refuse to negotiate a fair contract for the writers the WGA represents.”
The news comes the same day the Tony Awards management committee decided to appeal to the WGA, and the striking writers are asking not to picket the televised awards ceremony. It follows the Guild’s decision on Friday to deny the show’s producers an exemption to continue the televised festival during the ongoing strike.
In response to the news, Actor’s Equity President Kate Shindle thanked WGA West and East on Twitter Before promoting equity members, “must be shown to be doubled in their picketing.”
“Oh, because it can’t be said enough: it’s still #AMPTP’s fault, and the writers shouldn’t be in this position,” he continued. “We can praise mercy and point out the guilty, right?”
The 76th Annual Tony Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 11 at the United Palace in New York City, and is scheduled to air live and on demand on CBS from 8-11 pm ET/5-8 pm PT. Paramount+.
The Hollywood Reporter CBS has reached out to rep Tonys for comment.
May 15, 8:03 PM The actor’s role was updated with a social media statement from Kate Schindel.
