The day after the tragic Orlando shooting that left 49 individuals dead and 50+ injured, the 70th Tony Awards took a few moments to honor the victims. James Corden opened the awards with a moving speech, remarking how
“Theatre is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. Hate will never win, we have to make sure of that.”
Throughout the night, Hamilton swept the Tony’s – winning 11 of the 12 awards it was nominated for. But more importantly, Lin-Manuel Miranda (playwright, lyricist and star of the musical) chose to make the Orlando attack a focal point of his acceptance speech for Best Original Score.
Award ceremonies are always supposed to be times of joy and celebration over years of hard work, so for the Tony’s to step back from the spotlight to pay tribute to an event that is everything but joyful or celebratory, but personal all the same, deserves applause. Though considering the number of incredibly caring and politically attune thespians in attendance, I think we’ll find it not so surprising at all.
Here’s the full sonnet:
"My wife's the reason anything gets done
She nudges me towards promise by degrees
She is a perfect symphony of one
Our son is her most beautiful reprise.
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they're finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day.
This show is proof that history remembers
We lived through times when hate and fear seemed stronger;
We rise and fall and light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer
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."
