NEW YORK—It was indeed a somber night for the American theatre community as the Tony Awards were held on Sunday, June 12 from the Beacon Theatre. The musical “Hamilton” led all contenders with 16 nominations and was the big winner of the night taking home a total of 11 awards including Best Musical.
Host and funnyman James Corden kicked off the ceremony with a moving speech addressing the issue involving the massacre at the Orlando nightclub that occurred very early on Sunday morning, where over 50 people were killed, and over 50 others were injured.
“Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. You’re not on your own. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Hate will never win. We have to make sure of that. 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,” said Corden before kicking off into his monologue.
There were plenty of faces at the ceremony including Oscar-winner Barbara Streisand who hadn’t been at the Tony’s in close to 40 years. That is indeed a moment for theatre lovers. A list of the some of the night’s winners can be seen below:
Best Play
-“The Humans”
Best Musical
-“Hamilton”
Best Revival of a Play
-“Arthur Miller’s The Crucible”
Best Revival of a Musical
-“The Color Purple”
Best Book of a Musical
-“Hamilton”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
-Frank Langella “The Father
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
-Jessica Lange “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
-Leslie Odom Jr. “Hamilton”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
-Cynthia Erivo “The Color Purple”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
-Reed Birney “The Humans”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
-Jayne Houdyshell “The Humans”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
-Daveed Diggs “Hamilton”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
-Renee Elise Goldsberry “Hamilton”
Best Direction of a Musical
-Thomas Kail “Hamilton”
Best Direction of a Play
-Ivo Van Hove “Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge”
