‘Our hearts are heavy’: Tonys ceremony dedicated to Orlando shooting victims
Just hours before Sunday night’s live Tony Awards ceremony, news of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, which took place at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., overnight, has cast a shadow over the biggest evening of the Broadway year. But the show will go on, now in memory of the massacre’s victims.
“Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened last night in Orlando,” the Tonys producers said in a statement. “The Tony Awards dedicate tonight’s ceremony to them.”
According to police, at least 50 people were killed inside the nightclub early Sunday morning by a lone gunman. An additional 53 were wounded.
The Tonys, taking place at Manhattan’s Beacon Theater, will be hosted by James Corden of CBS’ “Late Late Show.” Though a comedian, Corden and the show will be expected to show deference to the national tragedy, one that likely hits close to home to the theater community, which embraces the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
At the ceremony, Broadway smash musical “Hamilton” is expected to sweep numerous awards. The ceremony tapes live from New York on Sunday at 5 p.m. and will air on the West Coast at 8 p.m.
Follow me on Twitter: @TrevellAnderson.
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