Ariana DeBose Is Set To Host The 76th Annual Tony Awards
Ariana DeBose - Slaven Vlasic / Stringer
Actress Ariana DeBose will return to host the 76th Tony Awards for 2023. DeBose hosted last year’s broadcast to general acclaim. The Tonys celebration will recognize Broadway productions of the 2022-2023 season. The eligibility cut-off date for the season is Thursday, April 27, and nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 2.
DeBose has stated that she is thrilled and excited to return as host and hopes to give "some uptown flavor to the magic of the Tony Awards." DeBose, according to Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, is a "force both on and off the stage." Hitchens states that she, the event producers, presenters, and the staff are pleased to have Debose back to lighten up the Tony Awards.
DeBose became an international phenomenon after winning an Oscar for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. DeBose is no stranger to Broadway, having been Tony-nominated in 2018 for her portrayal as "Disco Donna" in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Her theater credits include Hamilton, A Bronx Tale, Pippin, and Motown the Musical, among others. Notable TV and film credits include the Apple TV+ sitcom Schmigadoon! and the Netflix adaptation of the Broadway musical The Prom.
The 76th Annual Tony Awards will air live Sunday, June 11, at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on CBS, and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.