Earlier in the 2023 Tony Awards broadcast, host Ariana DeBose told audiences to "buckle up" because the evening was entirely unscripted. And so viewers in the theatre and at home were waiting with baited breath to see what presenters and awardees would say when encouraged to speak off the cuff. And actor, and presenter, Den茅e Benton did not disappoint when she called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis the "Grand Wizard."
Benton stepped on stage to talk about the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, which was presented during the Act One portion of the evening to Jason Zembuch Young, theatre teacher at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida.
Said Benton, 鈥淓arlier tonight, CMU and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. And while I am certain the current Grand Wizard." She then stopped as the audience audibly reacted and cheered. Benton then smiled, saying, "Sorry, excuse me, Governor, of my home state of Florida. I鈥檓 sure that he will be changing the name of this following town immediately. We were honored to present the award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young."
Earlier in the evening during the Tony Awards pre-show, in his acceptance speech, Zembuch Young entreated the theatre industry to be inclusive of people with disabilities. "Give the dance solo to the girl who cannot hear the music. Because when we focus on what people can do rather than what they can鈥檛, the possibilities are endless.鈥� His speech earned sustained applause and left Kimberly Akimbo star (and 2023 Tony nominee) Victoria Clark in tears.
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