The 2016 Tony Awards have been dedicated to the victims of the tragic Orlando nightclub shooting.

Just before the ceremony, Tony Award Productions announced that the annual ceremony will honor the victims, as there is a close relationship between Broadway and the LGBT community. “Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. The Tony Awards dedicate tonight’s ceremony to them.”

50 people were killed and at least 50 more were injured when Omar Mateen opened fire inside of Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Saturday night. It is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, and police have labeled it as an "act of terrorism."

Tonys host James Corden honored the victims when he opened the show. "People all around the world are trying to come to terms with the horrific events that took place in Orlando this morning," he began. "On behalf of the whole theater community and every person in this room, our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. All we can say is you are not on your own right now. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, is embraced and is loved. 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."

A number of celebrities have taken to social media to express their feelings of outrage and sadness, and at the show, Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda broke down into tears as he read a sonnet he wrote honoring the victims. After accepting the award for Best Original Score, Miranda read:
    "My wife's the reason anything gets done / She nudges me towards promise by degrees / She is a perfect symphony of one / Our son is her most beautiful reprise / We chase the melodies that seem to find us / Until they're finished songs and start to play / When senseless acts of tragedy remind us / That nothing here is promised, not one day / 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 / Remembrances that hope and love last longer / And 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 / Now fill the world with music, love and pride."




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