NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 It's a new location but the same host for the Tony Awards:Ariana DeBose will make it three in a row as MC of theater's most watched event, which this year moves uptown to Lincoln Center.
The Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee, who hosted both the 2023 and 2022 ceremonies, will be back this year for the show on June 16, and will produce and choreograph the opening number.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time, at Lincoln Center. I鈥檓 excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season鈥檚 achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home,鈥 said DeBose in a statement.
DeBose was widely cheered for the way she hosted last year amid the , leading a show that had no script and opening the telecast by dancing and leaping her way through the lobby of the United Palace Theatre. She earned an Emmy nomination for her work.
DeBose is a theater veteran, with roles in 鈥淪ummer: The Donna Summer Musical,鈥 鈥淗amilton,鈥 鈥淎 Bronx Tale,鈥 鈥淧ippin,鈥 鈥淢otown the Musical,鈥 鈥淏ring It On: The Musical鈥 and 鈥淐ompany.鈥 She won an Oscar for her role in Steven Spielberg鈥檚 remake of 鈥淲est Side Story鈥 and was in 鈥淪chmigadoon!鈥 on Apple TV+.
This year鈥檚 location 鈥 the David H. Koch Theater 鈥 is the home of New York City Ballet and in the same sprawling building complex as Lincoln Square Theater, which houses the Broadway venue Beaumont Theater.
Like last year, the three-hour main telecast will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT/5 p.m.-8 p.m. PDT with a pre-show on Pluto TV, with some Tony Awards handed out there.
The Tony eligibility cut-off date for the 2023-2024 season is April 25, and nominations for the 2024 Tony Awards will be announced April 30. The awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
Last year, the intimate, funny-sad musical took the best new musical crown, and which explores Jewish identity with an intergenerational story, won best play. Sean Hayes won lead actor in a play for 鈥淕ood Night, Oscar,鈥 and Victoria Clark won for 鈥淜imberly Akimbo.鈥
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