Hamilton Captures Best Musical Tony, Falls One Short of Tony Wins Record

At the 70th Annual Tony Awards last night, the unstoppable popularity of Hamilton helped the hip-hop-historical musical bring home 11 of its nominated 16 awards. The 11 wins falls just one short of the 2001 Tony wins record set by The Producers at the 55th Tonys, grabbing 12 of its 15 noms.

As we previously reported, Hamilton's 16 nominations were the most Tony noms ever received. Though it came up just shy of The Producers in actual wins last night, it still ruled Sunday's ceremony in receiving the awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Score, Leading Actor in a Musical (Leslie Odom, Jr.), Featured Actor in a Musical (Daveed Diggs), Featured Actress in a Musical (Renée Elise Goldsberry) and numerous others.

However, the proceedings at last night's Tonys were not quite as jubilant as normal. Sunday morning's Orlando, Florida nightclub shooting, as we reported on our sister site The Classical Arts, cast a solemn shadow on the ceremony. Hamilton's creator, writer and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, spoke to the Los Angeles Times backstage at the Tonys regarding the tragedy:

"I hadn't learned of today's events until after the Tony rehearsal. We live in a world where beautiful and horrible things exist and sometimes happen on the same day." ... Speaking in Spanish, he continued: "This lies heavily in my heart. This is a day of sadness, and we mourn the victims. But at the same time, it also a day of celebration, not only for me but for creative partners and my family."

With many expecting Miranda to perhaps rap a verse at some point during the night, as his free-styling Founding Father would, the Hamilton mastermind instead delivered a moving poem. Motivated by the Orlando tragedy and dedicated to his wife and child, the playwright offered the following sonnet upon his acceptance of the Tony Award for Best Original Score:

"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,
The show is proof that history remembers;
We live through times when hate and fear seems 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, 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."

Below, watch Hamilton's Grammy win for Best Musical Theater Album.

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