Tonys Audience Roars in Laughter After Denée Benton Refers to Ron DeSantis as ‘Grand Wizard’ of Florida (Video)
thewrap.comnot have had any writers on Sunday night due to the ongoing strike, but host Ariana DeBose and some presenters had some pretty quick jokes off the cuff — including Denée Benton.
She brought the house down when she referred to Florida governor Ron DeSantis as “the current Grand Wizard” in the state.The moment came when Benton took the stage to present this year’s Excellence in Theatre Education Award from Carnegie Mellon University.
The honor went to Jason Zembuch Young, who teaches at at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida.“And while I am certain that the current Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me, governor of my home state of Florida…” Benton prefaced.The actress wasn’t able to finish her sentence right away though, as the room burst out into laughter and cheers at the joke.
After roughly 15 seconds of just loud cheering, Benton pushed on, saying that “I am sure that he will changing the name of this following town immediately.”Denée Benton at the #TonyAwards on Ron DeSantis: "While I’m certain that the current Grand Wizard … I’m sorry.
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