Act I
June 12, 2016 // 8pm Eastern Standard Time // The Beacon Theater // New York City
The elegant theater is completely filled to it's capacity from the orchestra seating to the rear mezzanine. The energy is magnificent as a community of passionate stars come together for the annual Tony Awards. The 2015-2016 Broadway season is by far the most diverse with shows that showcase every race. The ceremony has been dedicated to the horrible tragedy in Orlando and has been named the safest place for the LGBT community at this moment. These actors are now eagerly waiting for the host, James Corden, to break the nervous air with a humorous opening number that only theater-goers would understand.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and the company of Hamilton have taken over the world, and this was confirmed last night at the 70th Annual Tony Awards on CBS.
The show was nominated for a record-breaking 16 nominations.
In two of the categories, there were multiple Hamilton cast members going against each other for the award. Over and over again, the cast members mentioned how much of a family that the company has come to be. They all supported each other, no matter who ended up with the physical award at the end of the night. The entire cast is humble for the journey that they are on because no one could have imagined what the show has turned into.
On the red carpet before the show, the Eliza Hamilton actress, Phillipa Soo, used the show's lyrics to convey the emotions of the night: "Look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now."
Only Tony Awards would be able to bring together a nation of sadness to one of belonging and hope.
The company of Hamilton went home with 11 Tony Awards, which includes:
-Best Musical
-Lead Actor in a Musical: Leslie Odom Jr.
-Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler
-Book of a Musical: Lin-Manuel Miranda
-Orchestrations: Alex Lacamoire
-Direction of a Musical: Thomas Kail
-Original Score: Lin-Manuel Miranda
-Featured Actor in a Musical: Daveed Diggs
-Featured Actress in a Musical: Renée Elise Goldsberry
-Costume Design of a Musical: Paul Tazewell
-Lighting Design of a Musical: Howell Binkley
#yayhamlet
For a show that has not even been on the Richard Rogers stage for a year, these accomplishments are monumental.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and book for the show, also plays Alexander Hamilton. Miranda has become the face of Hamilton. In his acceptance speech, he wrote a sonnet which ended in: "love is love is love is love is love is love..." This is all the more true after the incident in Orlando.
Some people ask: What is Hamilton and why has it become such a phenomena? Well I am here to answer that question.
To break it down in the simplest of forms; Hamilton is revolutionary.
It brings to life the story of the construction of America in the late 1700's through hip-hop and rap. Sounds crazy right? That is what President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama believed seven years ago when Miranda took part in a poetry slam at the White House. He first introduced the opening number "Alexander Hamilton" here and the audience was in pure awe.
Now the entire Obama family jams out to the cast album in their kitchen! No one could have imagined the show would have become what it is today. Shows are sold out until after May 2017. The show is planning to move over to the West End soon and to begin a National Tour in order to show everyone the revolution that it is.
Just as it was foreseen, Hamilton took over the Tony Awards this year. This work of genius was celebrated as it should be.
The other musicals and plays were showcased for the greatness that they are, however, Hamilton is a first for the Broadway world. It has become a topic of conversation that sparks hope for generations to come.
It is an example that you can do anything that you set your mind to. If you are passionate about something, then go for it!! Never settle for less because if you stand for nothing, then what will you fall for?