Broadway musical Hamilton had a huge night as it won 11 Tony Awards coming up one short of the record for the most Tony Awards. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip hop musical about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton won for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.
The musical did win the big prize of the night: Best Musical. The show also won for Best Book, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, and Best Original Score, among other awards of the night.
It was definitely a historical night for diversity: For the first time in the Tonys’ 70 years, all four musical acting honors were awarded to people of color.
The Color Purple took best revival of a musical and leading actress for star Cynthia Erivo — who called her production “a story that everybody needs to hear” — and The Humans won four awards: best play, best scenic design, Reed Birney for featured actor in a play and Jayne Houdyshell for featured actress.
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tonight paid tribute to the victims of the Orlando massacre while accepting the Tony Award for Best Score.
“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 remembrance that hope and love last forever.
“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. [we] fill the world with music, love, and pride.”
