Mark your calendars: June 12, 2016 should become a significant date in American history, politics, and culture.
The historical musical Hamilton had been a foregone conclusion for sweeping the Tony Awards ever since the musical opened last summer.
And it did not disappoint, winning 11 out of its all-record 16 nominations.
Orlando Shooting: Worst Massacre in American History
However, the bigger question of the 2016 Tony telecast was how Broadway would “handle” the Sunday shootings in Orlando, in which 50 were killed in a gay night club, while at the same time celebrating the motto, the show must go on.
The Orlando massacre was acknowledged early on by the host, and often throughout the ceremony by some of the top winners (Frank Langella) and presenters (Barbra Streisand).
The kudocast’s opening monologue celebrated Broadway’s diversity and inclusion, welcoming young dreamers of every stripe–of “every color, class and race and face and shape and size,” as well as boys, girls and transgender too.
The song chosen for the ceremony to introduce Hamilton as one of the nominees was the full-cast Revolutionary War number, “Yorktown,” or The World Turned Upside-Down.
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Equally important was the fact that all four winners in musical acting categories were African-American, a record standing in sharp contrast to “OscarsSoWhite” this year and last!
Did I mention that the new production of The Color Purple won Best Revival, alongside with its triumphant leading lady, Cynthia Erivo.
And, again unlike Hollywood, aging but vastly accomplished and deserving actors dominated the night: Jessica Lange (Best Actress, Play) is 67, and Frank Langella (Best Actor, Play) is pushing 80.
Jessica Lange accepts the award for leading actress in a play for “Long Day’s Journey into Night” at the Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
And so, there is reason for me to declare June 12 as this year’s saddest day in American politics, and happiest day in showbiz and pop culture.
