Tony Awards slammed for not letting winners Joel Grey and John Kander speak
The 76th annual Tony Awards, held at United Palace Theater on Sunday, were not without controversy.
The annual show celebrating all things Broadway received backlash after Lifetime Achievement Award winners Joel Grey, 91, and John Kander, 96, were not allowed to speak after receiving their award.
The iconic duo were announced as winners and joined on stage by host Ariana DeBose and Julianne Hough.
However, just as soon as they appeared they were awkwardly ushered off, all without saying a word.
Grey was previously given the opportunity to make a speech as he accepted the award, however it was at the pre-show. Kander also received his award at the pre-show from New York, New York writing partner Lin-Manuel Miranda – who dropped out as writer of the opening segment in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America Strike.
Backlash: The 76th annual Tony Awards received backlash after Lifetime Achievement Award winners Joel Grey, 91, and John Kander, 96, were not allowed to speak onstage
The pair stood on stage for a quick beat while getting a standing ovation, before the ladies walked them back out.
Fans quickly took to social media to point out the situation, with one writing on Twitter, 'So why Joel Gray and John Kander not allowed to say something about their lifetime Tony awards.'
'I wanted to hear Joel Gray and John Kander speak for their lifetime achievement awards,' another added.
Comments from disappointed fans continued to pour in, with someone else writing, 'Please, there is NO REASON that these aren't in the "main" show. It's infuriating.'
'Disrespectful to John Kander and Joel Gray. They are living legends. Stop pandering to people who were born since 2000.'
'Wait no recap for Joel Gray and John Kander?? Good thing they and their moment moment in Act 1,' someone else chimed in.
Earlier on Sunday Grey received his award from daughter Jennifer Grey, 63, during the Tony Awards: Act One, Live Pre-Show.
'It’s ultimately the people, the community… all of you… who have made this ride more outstanding than I could have imagined,' the actor proudly stated.
No speech? The iconic duo were announced as winners and joined on stage by host Ariana DeBose and Julianne Hough
Leaving without a word: However, just as soon as they appeared they were awkwardly ushered off, all without saying a word
Pre-show: Grey was previously given the opportunity to make a speech as he accepted the award, however it was at the pre-show
Writing partner: Meanwhile Kander received his award from New York, New York writing partner Lin-Manuel Miranda, also at the pre-show
Upset: Fans quickly took to social media to point out the situation, with one writing on Twitter, 'So why Joel Gray and John Kander not allowed to say something about their lifetime Tony awards'
Infuriating: 'Please, there is NO REASON that these aren't in the "main" show. It's infuriating'
Unfair: 'I wanted to hear Joel Gray and John Kander speak for their lifetime achievement awards,' another added
Living legends: 'Disrespectful to John Kander and Joel Gray. They are living legends. Stop pandering to people who were born since 2000'
Disappointed: 'Wait no recap for Joel Gray and John Kander?? Good thing they and their moment moment in Act 1'
TONY AWARDS 2023: Winners at a glance Best Musical — Kimberly Akimbo Best Play — Leopoldstadt Best Musical Revival — Parade Best Leading Actress in a Musical — Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo Best Leading Actress in a Play — Jodie Comer, Prima Facie Best Leading Actor in a Musical — J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot Best Leading Actor in a Play — Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar Advertisement
Meanwhile an emotional Jennifer teared up as she watched her father accept the honor.
She introduced him earlier saying, 'Hello, friends and colleagues of my dad.'
The star added that it was an 'honor' to present the award to her father, who is best known for playing the Master of Ceremonies in the film and stage versions of Cabaret, which earned him an Oscar, a Tony and a Golden Globe award.
She already started getting choked up before a video package was played showing footage from her father's work.
After the presentation she concluded by presenting, 'your hero, my hero, Joel Grey' to the stage, earning a standing ovation.
'My daughter, my beauty, my sweetness. Seven pounds, 11 ounces, no more. No more! Thank you, darling!' Joel said.
Eight years earlier, Jennifer Grey also presented her father Joel with another lifetime achievement award, and she also got teared up as well.
Jennifer honored Joel with the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City back in 2015.
Sweet moment: Earlier on Sunday Grey received his award from daughter Jennifer Grey, 63, during the Tony Awards: Act One, Live Pre-Show
Touching: 'It’s ultimately the people, the community… all of you… who have made this ride more outstanding than I could have imagined,' the actor proudly stated
Emotional: Meanwhile an emotional Jennifer teared up as she watched her father accept the honor
Cute: At one point she sweetly cuddled up to her dad
Fab trio: The duo later posed with host Ariana backstage
No hard feelings: They appeared to have no hard feelings about being snubbed from the main show and smiled for snaps
Relaxing: They relaxed at the event sitting side by side backstage
'I didn’t expect to feel like that,” Jennifer said to the crowd at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, already getting choked up.
She joked, 'I feel like Liza [Minnelli], all gaspy and stuff!' She started to speak again but added, Just give me a moment, sorry about that,' as the crowd broke out in applause.
'I’m so inspired by my dad. By the sheer breadth of his work, his love of life,' Grey continued.
'As someone who has clung to his every move my entire life his incredible career only pales in comparison to the accomplishment of how he lives his life, his gigantic heart. This world is just markedly better for him being here,' she added.
This year's ceremony was the latest production to have been impacted by the ongoing Writers Guild of America Strike.
It marks the first time in 35 years that the Tonys had been afflicted by the WGA strike.
The ceremony aired on CBS in an unscripted format, and the union agreed not to picket the event.
Source: Daily Mail
