TONY AWARDS
Who is hosting the 2023 Tony Awards?
On Sunday, Broadway’s best will be recognised at the 76th edition of the Tony Awards, held at New York’s United Palace.
Oscar-winning actor Ariana DeBose is to host today’s Tony Awards, although the ongoing writers’ strike means she is set for a pared-down role.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, DeBose will only do an opening number at the Broadway awards ceremony, which is to be staged at New York City’s United Palace theatre.
The Writers’ Guild of America’s work stoppage, which began last month, will also mean that awards presenters will not have the help of a teleprompter during the Tonys; they will simply refer to cue cards listing the nominees for the accolade they are introducing.
Who is Ariana DeBose?
A former contestant on the US reality TV show So You Think You Can Dance, DeBose is herself a Tony-nominated performer, having in 2018 been a contender for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. She has also appeared in Broadway productions such as Hamilton, Bring It On: The Musical and A Bronx Tale.
Last year, DeBose earned widespread movie-awards recognition for her performance in Steven Spielberg’s film version of the musical West Side Story. Most notably, the 32-year-old was named Best Supporting Actress at the 94th Academy Awards, beating Jessie Buckley, Judi Dench, Kirsten Dunst and Aunjanue Ellis to the statuette. She also took best supporting actress honours at 2022′s BAFTA, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards.
Aside from her film and theatre work, DeBose’s resumé includes appearances on the popular American TV comedy show Saturday Night Live.
See also:
76th Tony Awards: key info
Hosted by the 3,350-seat United Palace for the first time, the 76th Tony Awards are scheduled to begin at 8pm ET on Sunday 11 June.
Some Like it Hot, a Broadway version of the hit 1959 movie, dominates the nominees - it is up for no fewer than 13 awards, including Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee), Best Direction of a Musical and Best Original Score.