The Writers Guild of America has agreed to let the Tony Awards broadcast despite the ongoing strike on the condition the show will go unscripted.
When the Writers Guild walked out this month, the Tony Awards were told by the union they could not broadcast. However, after the organizers agreed to certain concessions, they were given the go-ahead for their original June 11 broadcast date.
The WGA has control over the Tony Awards since the show broadcasts on Paramount +, CBS and Pluto TV.
As part of the agreement, the show will not use a prewritten script, and a rap performance from playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda will not take place.
The Broadway League and the American Theater Wing, organizers of the Tony Awards, said they’re glad to work with the writers.
“As they have stood by us, we stand with our fellow workers on Broadway who are impacted by our strike,” the Tony Awards said in a statement.
The writers, who have picketed frequently since the strike began, have agreed to not picket the Tony Awards at New York City’s United Palace. Yet they told their members to skip the event in person.
The writers’ strike, which began May 2, is in its fifth week. The writers are asking for increased residuals from streaming content as well as more regulation on artificial intelligence writing programs.
The directors’ and actors’ unions are expected to begin contract negotiations next month while possibly joining the writers on strike.
