Most people are aware of the tragedy that hit Orlando recently. Around 2am on Sunday, June 12, a man gunned down Pulse, a well-known gay nightclub, leaving 50 killed and at least 53 injured in what is now the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. It's been called many things - a hate crime stemming from homophobia, a terrorist attack committed by radical Muslim extremists, and a reason to advocate for stricter gun control are the most common ones that I've seen. Some people have already started to use it to advance their political agendas, while many, many others have united to support those affected; in fact, people lined up at various OneBlood centers on Sunday to donate blood and many had to be turned away for the day because the blood banks were at capacity.
I could preach about homophobia, radical Islam, Islamophobia, racism, terrorism, and/or gun control, but I won't because there is already far too much negativity. After all, the implications are terrifying - for example, June is LGBT Pride Month and yet there are members of that community being shot in what is supposed to be a safe space for the very qualities and diversity that are being celebrated. However, despite all the fear, anger, and heartbreak, there has been so much support both within Orlando and from the rest of the world, and it is important to recognize that.
One of the things that was most incredible to me was the Tony Awards, which recognize excellence in live Broadway theatre. They were scheduled for 8pm on Sunday, June 12 and in light of the news today, the Broadway community thought it was important that the show go on in honor of the victims of the shooting. Throughout the day, many Broadway stars took to social media to express their love and support for the victims of the shooting, already setting the tone for a night dedicated to love and acceptance.
Host James Corden started off the night by looking straight into the camera and addressing those who were impacted by the shooting. "All around the world, people are trying to come to terms with the horrific events that took place in Orlando this morning. On behalf of the whole theatre community and everyone in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theatre is a place where every race, creed, sexuality, and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. Hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that. Tonight's show stands as a symbol and a celebration of that principle. This is the Tony Awards."
A little later in the night, writer, actor, composer and rapper Lin-Manuel Miranda received the Tony Award for best original score and gave his acceptance speech in the form of a sonnet. After acknowledging his wife, he emotionally recited, "When senseless acts of tragedy remind us / That nothing here is promised, not one day / This show is proof that history remembers / We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger / We rise and fall and light from dying embers / Remembrances that hope and love lasts long / And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love / Cannot be killed or swept aside / I sing Vanessa's symphony, Eliza tells her story / Now fill the world with music, love and pride." Later on in the show, Miranda and the cast of Hamilton, a musical about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, performed a medley of songs from the musical and decided not to use muskets in light of the attacks.
Finally, in accepting his Tony Award for best leading actor in a play, Frank Langella chose to address the shooting while putting aside his "litany of names."
"When something bad happens, we have three choices. We can let it define us, we can let it destroy us or we can let it strengthen us. Today in Orlando, we had a hideous dose of reality. I urge you Orlando to be strong. I'm standing in a room full of the most generous human beings on earth and we will be with you every step of the way."
I'll admit that after hearing about the shooting, I was a myriad of emotions - angry, heartbroken, stunned, terrified, worried, numb. I still am. No one expects this kind of tragedy to happen this close to home, and it all feels extremely surreal. Originally, the Tony Awards was just going to be a distraction for me to avoid that cocktail of negative feelings; however, the outpouring of love and support was abundant and my heart isn't quite as heavy as it was before. They balanced heartfelt sympathy with messages of hope and perseverance while simultaneously celebrating theatre and life, and the fact that some individuals used the acceptance of their awards to offer light to those affected by this tragedy is so thoughtful and compassionate. It is truly wonderful to see people uniting in support and love for the impacted communities.
Stay strong, Orlando, and to everyone impacted, from the LGBTQ+ community to the victims' loved ones and everyone in between, keep fighting. We will get through this. We cannot let fear define us, and we must be united in and driven by love. After all, "hate will never win. Together, we have to make sure of that."
