“Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando”.
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Broadway’s history-themed blockbuster “Hamilton” was named Best Musical at the Tony Awards gala in New York Sunday night.
Noticeably breaking down during his sonnet, the televised awards shows pictured his wife, fellow actors, musicians and guests feeling the emotionally charged moment for themesleves – some even breaking into spontaneous applause mid-speech.
There were obvious and subtle tributes to Orlando throughout the show. Late-night host James Corden MCed the evening. His co-stars, Daveed Diggs, who portrays the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, and Renee Elise Goldsberry, who portrays Mr. Hamilton’s sister-in-law and Angelica Schuyler, won awards for Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress, respectively.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star and creator of “Hamilton, ” won for best score and book at the Tony Awards.
“Love can not be killed or swept aside!” British actress Cynthia Erivo won best actress for her Broadway debut in The Color Purple, which also won the best musical revival award. Other stars joined Benanti on social media. “Hate will never win”.
“I found some words that will mean more to you than a list of names”, Langella said.
However, Miranda lost the best leading actor in a musical prize to fellow cast member Leslie Odom, Jr. who plays Aaron Burr, the US vice president who killed Hamilton in a duel. “Art can entertain us and educate us, and in times like these, console us”.
Although it wasn’t the rap many were expecting, Miranda’s sonnet said exactly what needed to be said in the most attractive way, and it won’t soon be forgotten.
“Hamilton” – which was up for a record 16 Tony Awards – netted 11 on Sunday night, including for best musical.
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This was the first time in the Tony Awards’ 70 years of existence that all major musical acting awards have gone to people of color.
