WGA strike impact on the 2023 Tonys — Page 14

I agree it is weird and confusing but I offer two possible explanations.

1. WGA members are on strike. The agreement explicitly does not provide a strike waiver for the Tonys, just an agreement not to picket. It is technically a distinction with a difference. An employee picket line serves as a request not to cross which is subtracted when there is no line. Of course, no individual without a contract requiring their presence (i.e., a nominee) is obliged to show up.

2. When a WGA writer speaks on CBS they are "writing."

TBC I am not advocating either of these arguments.

So all nominees have to submit a pretaped acceptance speech. Can only imagine how many times CBS will play the wrong speech.

HogansHero said: 2. When a WGA writer speaks on CBS they are "writing."

I agree but aren’t they also writing if they 1. Have a non-member to accept? 2. prerecord a speech to be aired on CBS? #1 seems the most writing of them all as you could improvise #2 or a live speech. Unless the non-member does not read a speech, just goes on stage for the trophy?
Am I missing something about speaking in-person that changes things regarding writing the speech? I guess since it’s prerecorded and not live on Zoom, they aren’t considered to be attending virtually.

Speaking on CBS = writing would bar WGA presenters, too.

They weren’t offered to attend and accept in silence so it seems to be a members only picket line.

Updated On: 5/28/23 at 11:59 AM

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "There are many reasons why people can be a member of the WGA (or other unions), even if it's not their primary job. Reasons for why someone is or isn't a member is irrelevant. And remember sometimes people waive being billed as a writer on a project even if they contributed/got paid for written material, or they could have written a script that hasn't yet been produced."

I'm sorry if it came across as I'm questioning why people are members of the WGA. That wasn't my intention. I was just trying to say people in several categories such as acting categories will be impacted by this do not attend request and this will probably impact the performance numbers as well.

All of this raises a host of questions.

If Ashford and two Some Like it Hot stars and maybe Platt are writers, that’s certainly going to affect the performances - even if it only affects the actors in the WGA and everyone else just shows up and sings. And who is going to want to risk being seen as a bad ally during a strike with so much at stake?

And it was the performances that the Broadway producers were most concerned about and seemed to be the product of the playwright-inspired agreement. If Ashford doesn’t perform, for example, that shrinks the number of Sweeney Todd songs that can be performed by a lot. Epiphany? The Johanna quartet? And does Josh Groban want to put himself in that position?

Mr. Wormwood said: "I really don't understand the WGA asking its members to not attend unless it was part of the "deal" (which I'm guessing it wasn't since we're just hearing about it now). Any work they did that will be honored by the Tonys is not WGA affiliated and winning a Tony can be a very special moment to experience in person I imagine. Plus why not have a chance to support the WGA in an acceptance speech."

And preventing CBS to benefit from a broadcast would have been one thing. But it's happening now. The writers not going doesn't do anything to punish CBS.

You are able to look up the Tony nominees in the writers Guild of America database to see if they are members.

I am unable to post the link here. (Directories dot wga dot org)

But I found the following WGA members:

Annaleigh Ashford

Sara Bareilles

Christian Borle

Sean Hayes

Kevin Del Aguila



Also the book writers of every single nominated musical except for New York New York are members of WGA. All but one of the play authors (Ain’t no mo) is a member of WGA. Also Shaiman and Wittman.

Updated On: 5/28/23 at 03:53 PM

No a formal email from the WGA went out to members, it isn't gossip.

I had hoped that the writers would have been able to use this as leverage to get their work (and those of their fellow behind the scenes creatives) actively featured and recognised during the broadcast instead of being hidden in an ad break. Ah well.

A couple of weeks back, during intermission of a show I was working, I was talking to a woman who is a member of the ATW and a voter and she shared with me interesting insight with all this. First, the idea of asking for a waiver was the brain child of Charlotte St. Martin. An idea she told me that surprised no one when they didn’t get it. Also, despite the WGA saying that they wouldn’t picket outside the United Palace, there’s nothing stopping writers, should they wish, to picket on their own and ignore what the higher ups at the WGA have stated. So should that happen that can be a bad look.

And, interestingly enough, regarding the venue, she told me that contrary to popular belief, Lin Manuel had nothing to do with the choice of the United Palace, and they didn’t want The Beacon even though they were offered that since a concert residency is scheduled at Radio City and one of the performances is Tony night. I think that that has to do with how Dolan operates. One of his slightly illegal security tactics is facial recognition. And with Dolan’s criteria no one would be allowed into Radio City or The Beacon. Also, apparently the decision of the venue was made during the pandemic.

HogansHero said: "Islander,

My guess is that she was BS'ing you about her bona fides. A good part of what she told you is not correct."

Care to elaborate?

Reports of smaller scaled seating resulting in less attendee tickets per show... Who gets to go from the show? And who gets relegated to the back row?