The Show Must Go On! Everything to Know About the 2023 Tony Awards

This year’s Tony Awards hasn’t gone off without a hitch due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. Other awards shows have canceled their runs thanks to the strike, but will the Tonys take their final bow, or must the show go on?

Named after actor Mary Antoinette “Tony” Perry, the Tony Awards launched in 1947 and is dedicated to recognizing the best of the best on Broadway. Previous recipients include Stephen Sondheim, Harvey Fierstein, James Earl Jones, Cyndi Lauper, and Rent creator Jonathan Larson was one of two people to receive the award posthumously.

Basically, the Tonys are a big deal. As of late, the awards ceremony has also been a key indicator in determining which shows will survive on Broadway; with dwindling funds and interest exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the more exposure the better. 

The upcoming ceremony is celebrating a major first for the institution with Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee, two openly non-binary performers, nominated for a Tony Award in Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, respectively. (As noted in the nominated award categories, the Tony Awards have yet to make space for non-binary individuals, resulting in actor Justin David Sullivan pulling his name from competition in February.)

But that isn’t what this piece is about. While it is important to recognize the history of the ceremony and its crucial timing, we’re here to give as much context as we can into what’s happening during the 2023 Tony Awards. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming ceremony, which will be broadcast on CBS and streamed live and on-demand on Paramount+.

Are the 2023 Tony Awards Still Happening? Are The Tony Awards Canceled?

So, here’s the big question: Is the 76th Annual Tony Awards still happening? Are the Tony Awards canceled? Last month, the MTV Movie & TV Awards decided to not air live due to the WGA strike, which is a result of writers asking for fair compensation and protections from studios and streamers. But after conversations with the WGA: Yes, the 2023 Tony Awards are still happening. 

According to USA Today, the award body struck a deal with WGA on May 16 during its second appeal for the ceremony to broadcast live as originally planned. If they were unable to come to an agreement, the Tonys would’ve been forced to proceed with protestors – in other words, cross the picket line – or do the ceremony without a telecast. However, the WGA eventually approved for the show to continue under stipulations that they “conform with specific requests” from the guild. The award show is expected to proceed with an unscripted program, which typically means there will not be a teleprompter, and the broadcast will heavily feature performances.

As a result, Lin-Manuel Miranda pulled out of writing musical numbers for the ceremony, one of which was set to be performed by host Ariana DeBose.

The following week, Deadline reported that the WGA has asked current members to not attend the ceremony, and instead opt for a prerecorded appearance or send a non-union member on their behalf. Playbill reports that this move could affect several nominees including Almost Famous writer Cameron Crowe (who adapted the 2001 movie for Broadway), Tom Stoppard, Amber Ruffin, Amy Herzog, and Jordan E. Cooper – all of whom are nominated for writing awards, along with Sara Bareilles who is currently nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. 

The American Theatre Wing declined a conversation with Decider to provide additional insight into this year’s ceremony. However, the following statements were included in recent press releases: 

 “CBS has been home to the Tony Awards for more than 40 years. We are proud to once again celebrate the best of theater this season, and continue our support for Broadway, the broader theater community and all the incredible artistic talents both on stage and behind the scenes who bring the shows to life,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music, Live Events and Alternative Programming at CBS.

“This year’s Tony Award nominees are a reflection of a tremendous year of Broadway. The show will feature performances by Broadway’s brightest lights – from breakthrough performers to industry icons – in recognition of the momentous productions wowing audiences worldwide,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing.

Unlike previous years, the 2023 Tony Awards will not have an open dress rehearsal on the day of the ceremony.

Who Is Performing at the 2023 Tony Awards? 

Now that we’ve discussed who might not be in attendance, let’s get to who will be there. The Tonys have confirmed performances from the casts of Tony Award-nominated musicals Camelot, Into The Woods (it is unknown if the performance will be pre-taped to include Bareilles or if it’ll be live without her… or if she’s going to attend), & Juliet, Kimberly Akimbo, New York, New York, Parade, Shucked, Some Like It Hot and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Last year’s Best Lead Actress winner Joaquina Kalukango will also perform, along with the casts of A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, Funny Girl (currently starring Lea Michele from Glee), and a special performance for this year’s Lifetime Achievement recipients, Joel Grey and John Kander.

How to Watch the 2023 Tony Awards:

The biggest night on Broadway will kick off with a pre-show by Julianne Hough and Skylar Astin called The Tony Awards: Act One, which will be streaming for free on Pluto TV beginning Sunday, June 11 at 6:30-8:00 PM ET/3:30-5:00 PM PT. 

Now airing live from the United Palace in New York City’s Washington Heights – rather than its longtime home at Radio City, the pre-show will be followed by the 76th Annual Tony Awards, presented by Ariana DeBose from 8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+.

See the full list of nominees on the Tony Awards website.