Mask Mandate to Be Separated by Seating Tiers at the 2022 Tony Awards?!

Incredibly stupid and destined to be a cluster.

Weird to say the least, but good to know as I will be attending the ceremony (and really looking forward to it).

If this means I get to see both halves of Ariana’s face, I will be pleased. Depending on how she looks that evening, she has a legitimate shot at being my Tony crush this year.

Not CAN test out....MUST.



And you will all have the better chance of not contracting covid.

For the same reason the actors at whatever show you're rooting for doesn't wear them, but the audience does. The balconies and mezzanine aren't part of the show....the orchestra is.

And I'm guessing that this was some sort of compromise.

Updated On: 6/6/22 at 06:42 PM

Is it true that there is no mask wearing at Madison Square Garden?

Not the same thing at all....there aren't a dozen cameras televising you at Hadestown...as there is at the Tonys.

dramamama611 said: "Not the same thing at all....there aren't a dozen cameras televising you at Hadestown...as there is at the Tonys."

OHH I see now, so then its because of the broadcast they can go mask free. Got it.

So then explain to me.. if this is all because of cameras and not because of seating location, then why can't those sitting in the mezz or balcony have the option to test out like those sitting in the orchestra?

If they're so worried about covid, then mandate the masks for everyone because Broadway has a mask mandate, remember? But no they won't do that because celebrities can do whatever they want, preach whatever they want, but don't follow what they preach. You wear a mask because you aren't sitting in the orchestra, but we sit in the orchestra so we don't have to wear a mask.

Again, rules for thee but not for me.

Yeah this is totally because of the frequent audience shots as part of the telecast. If the audience is masked, it won’t make for good television. Also, half the point of the Tony Awards is to serve as an extended commercial for potential Broadway ticketbuyers (read: tourists). If people are masked, that doesn’t support the whole “Broadway is back” message.

And only the tiny cost of $266 for student tickets.

You all do realize no one watching the telecast will care that they are unmasked? Every major televised awards show this year has been unmasked. Sports arena’s and movie theaters haven’t required masks for a long time. The vast majority of the country is actively living in a non-mask world, as well as most New Yorkers except when attending a Broadway show.

I think this is perfectly illustrates how people who work higher up in the industry even know that mask wearing is performative at this point.

If people see that the audience at the Tony Awards are not wearing masks, then people will think we don't have to wear masks anymore to go see a Broadway show.

Wick3 said: "If people see that the audience at the Tony Awards are not wearing masks, then people will think we don't have to wear masks anymore to go see a Broadway show.”

I suspect that the producers have no problem with that…the ol’ bait and switch.

Also, as another poster said, the majority of Americans have more or less moved on with their lives when it comes to COVID, and mask wearing has become a bit performative. Having people taking off their masks when they go onstage to perform a song or present or accept an an award would really only emphasize that. I think they are making the right move by simply focusing more on testing.