After a mass shooting at a gay Florida nightclub early Sunday, this year's Tony Awards will be dedicated to the victims of the shooting, according to a statement released by the awards organization.
The cast of “Hamilton” at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Josh Segarra, Gloria Estefan and Ana Villafane of ‘On Your Feet!’ perform onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Gloria Estefan of ‘On Your Feet!’ performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Lin-Manuel Miranda accepts the award for best original score for “Hamilton” at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Leslie Odom Jr. performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Anthony Ramos performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
James Corden performs at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
James Corden performs at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Lucy Liu, left, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson present the award for best direction of a play at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The cast of “Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed” performs at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The cast of ”School of Rock” performs at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Steve Martin and the cast of ”Bright Star” perform at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The cast of “Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed” performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Presenter Sean Hayes and Jake Gyllenhaal speak onstage with host James Corden during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Laura Benanti of ‘She Loves Me’ performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Jane Krakowski and Gavin Creel of ‘She Loves Me’ perform onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
The cast of “The Color Purple” performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Cynthia Erivo of “The Color Purple” performs onstage during the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Aaron Tveit, left, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead present the award for featured actress in a musical at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
James Corden performs at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Daveed Diggs accepts the award for featured actor in a musical for “Hamilton” at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The cast of “Bright Star” performs at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Daniel Dae Kim, left, and Patina Miller present the award for featured actor in a musical at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The cast of Fiddler on the Roof perform at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Lupita Nyong’o applauds in the audience at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
James Corden wears a bathrobe and slippers during the pre-telecast portion of the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Actress Danielle Brooks attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Jake Gyllenhaal arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Sophie Okonedo arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Leona Lewis arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Lupita Nyong’o arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Akosua Busia arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
George C. Wolfe wears a silver ribbon on his lapel as he arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Neil Patrick Harris, left, and David Burtka wear silver ribbons as they arrive at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Actress Lupita Nyong’o arrives at FIJI Water at 2016 Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for FIJI Water)
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for FIJI Water
Zainab Jah arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Aaron Tveit arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Jourdan Dunn arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Mary Elizabeth Winstead arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Jessica Lange arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Nicolette Robinson, left, and Leslie Odom Jr. arrive at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Emily Estefan arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Saoirse Ronan arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Actress Lucy Liu arrives at FIJI Water at 2016 Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for FIJI Water)
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for FIJI Water
Danielle Brooks attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Police officers stand guard outside the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Actress Danai Gurira attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Actress Danai Gurira attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Actress Jenna Ushkowitz attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Lupita Nyong’o attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Jane Krakowski arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Ali Stroker arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Kelty Knight attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Kelty Knight attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Alicia Quarles attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Actress Nikki M. James attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Allison Williams attends the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Actors James Earl Jones and Cecilia Hart attend the 70th Annual Tony Awards at The Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2016 in New York City.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Judith Light arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Anna Wintour arrives at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
James Corden, left, and Julia Carey arrive at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York.
(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
WASHINGTON — It was a historic night at the Tonys for all the wrong reasons.
Broadway enthusiasts went into the weekend hoping “Hamilton” would break records, but after the mass shooting at a Florida gay nightclub early Sunday — the deadliest in U.S. history — the focus shifted toward remembering the victims and toward theater’s enduring power to heal.
“Hate will never win. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol and celebration of that principle,” host James Corden said to open the show Sunday night at New York’s Beacon Theatre.
“Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved.”
This sentiment was echoed by many of the actors wearing commemorative ribbons, including Frank Langella, who won best actor in a play for his work in “The Father.”
“When something bad happens, we have three choices: We let it define us, we let it destroy us, or we let it strengthen us,” Langella said in his acceptance speech. “I urge you, Orlando, to be strong because I’m standing in a room full of the most generous human beings in the world and we will be with you every step of the way.”
The night’s big winner was the revolutionary hip-hop musical “Hamilton,” which entered the night with a record 16 nominations and swept its way to 11 Tonys, one shy of the record held by “The Producers” (2001). But while it ultimately didn’t break the record, there was no denying the power of the pop-culture phenomenon, which won for best new musical, beating out “Waitress,” ”School of Rock,” ”Shuffle Along” and “Bright Star.”
“Theater doesn’t exist without the LGBT community. It’s the cornerstone of our industry, so it’s heavy on my heart today,” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda said after the show.
While Miranda won best book and best original score for “Hamilton,” his co-star Leslie Odom Jr. won best actor in a musical for playing Aaron Burr, sir.
“It feels amazing,” Odom told WTOP last week about his nomination. “It feels like this show that we all believed in is doing what we all believed it could and it exceeds our expectations almost every night with every audience.”
“Hamilton” also won for best featured actor in a musical (Daveed Diggs), best featured actress in a musical (Renee Elise Goldsberry), best costume design of a musical (Paul Tazewell), best lighting design of a musical (Howell Binkley), best direction of a musical (Thomas Kail), best choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler) and best orchestrations.
Meanwhile, “The Color Purple” won best musical revival, beating out “Fiddler on the Roof,” “She Loves Me” and “Spring Awakening.” Oprah Winfrey took the stage with the “Color Purple” cast to accept the prize, as the Alice Walker adaptation also won best actress in a musical for Cynthia Erivo, who belted to the rafters in a memorable performance.
On the non-musical side, Stephen Karam’s “The Humans” won four Tonys, including best play, beating out Danai Gurira’s “Eclipsed,” Floria Zeller’s “The Father” and Mike Bartlett’s “King Charles III.” The play follows the conflicts of a family living in Manhattan on Thanksgiving. It also won best featured actor in a play (Reed Birney), best featured actress in a play (Jayne Houdyshell) and best scenic design of a play (David Zinn).
In between the awards were a string of stunning live performances. Pop star Sara Bareilles teamed with Broadway actress Jessie Mueller (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”) to perform numbers from “Waitress,” while Gloria Estefan danced with the cast of “Get On Your Feet” and Alex Brightman performed with a group of child musicians for “School of Rock,” an adaptation of the Jack Black movie with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Yet, the most poignant moment may have come when the cast of “Hamilton” gathered outside the Beacon to sing “Seasons of Love” from the 1996 Tony champ “Rent.” Miranda tapped his heart and pointed to the sky as he invoked the name of late “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson, whose meditation on the AIDS epidemic 20 years ago suddenly doubled for our 2016 grief over the massacre at the Orlando nightclub.
Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.
