Drama on Broadway as theater press is ‘shut out’ of 2024 Tony Awards red carpet
Talk about drama!
There’s a huge uproar in the theater world days before the Tony Awards — as established members of the Broadway press have learned they’re not invited to the show’s red carpet, due to lack of space.
Julie James, program director of SiriusXM’s “On Broadway,” tweeted, “As a 15-year veteran” of the awards with “coverage national fans have come to expect from @sxmOnBroadway, working tirelessly thru the season, I’m beyond deflated & disappointed, dare I say insulted. #thisisNOTBroadway.”
She also posted, “I will add that it’s particularly heartbreaking for those of us who worked hard to keep the spirit of #Broadway & #TonyAwards going thru the whole pandemic shutdown & (still ongoing) recovery. We were there for them, and now we’ve been shut out.”
We hear well-known reporters like Broadway World’s Richard Ridge and TheaterMania’s David Gordon also did not make the cut.
Broadway News’ executive editor Ruthie Fierberg posted that she has not been given access.
Kobi Kassal, of relatively new pub, Theaterly, wrote an open letter to the Tonys, run by the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League, with the help of an outside public relations team.
“Last week, we were notified that there was limited space due to the ceremony’s location this year and that we would not have a spot on the carpet,” Kassal wrote. “Why in a season celebrating the biggest year in recent Broadway memory do we have the smallest carpet to celebrate it. To not include those who work so hard all year long and are the staunchest advocates for the industry on its biggest night is disheartening to say the least.”
The letter also pointed out that while bigger, mainstream outlets like E! News will be there, many are only concerned with A-list talent.
“The artists, designers, stage focused actors are often not given the time of day,” says the letter. “As theater outlets, these are the people we love to highlight — to give credit where credit is due.”
A Broadway insider tells us they understand why people are frustrated.
“Actors, choreographers, directors, writers, scenic designers and more work tirelessly all year to get this recognition, and it is the theater press who talk to them and write about them,” says our source. “It’s the biggest night of their careers. Room should be made for celebrity press and Broadway press.”
Reps for the Tony’s did not respond immediately to request for comment.
